Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Isabelle Roes
Men’s Basketball Squad Set to Play Two Exhibition Games in Canada
7/15/2026 1:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell head men's basketball coach John Griffin III will get an early look at the bulk of his 2026-27 squad at game speed next week, as the Bison are set to play two exhibition games in Canada. Bucknell will face Carleton University in Ottawa on Monday at 7 p.m. and Queen's University at Champlain College in Montreal on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
In addition to the two scrimmages, the Bison squad will have sightseeing opportunities in both Montreal and Ottawa. Most of the team's 17-man roster will be on the trip, although a few will not be in attendance due to injury or international student visa processes. Junior Aleksander Pachucki, a Scarborough, Ontario native, will be returning to his home country, and a number of his teammates will put on a Bucknell uniform for the first time.
"I am very excited for this trip to Canada on a number of levels," said Griffin. "This will be the culmination of what has been a very productive summer session up to this point. It will give our guys a fun opportunity to take an early road trip together, enjoy a couple of historic cities, and jump into a competitive environment against two of the top Canadian college basketball teams."
The Bison will be facing two quality opponents in Carleton and Queen's, both of which are coming off outstanding seasons. Carleton went 17-5 in 2025-26 under veteran head coach Taffe Charles, and the Ravens captured the U SPORTS Final 8 championship in Calgary. After hosting Bucknell next week, the Ravens are set to face Arkansas, Valparaiso, and Texas A&M at the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League in The Bahamas.
Queen's went 20-11 last season, including a 15-7 mark in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference. Coach Stephen Barrie's squad has posted seven straight winning seasons, and in the two previous seasons, the Gaels won the OUA Wilson Cup and U SPORTS Final 8 Men's Basketball Championship. It was Queen's first OUA Wilson Cup Championship in nearly 70 years. Barrie also led Queen's to its first four national appearances in program history from 2022-25.
Bucknell finished 10-23 in an injury plagued 2025-26 season, one year removed from a Patriot League regular-season title. The Bison will feature a new look this season, with 11 new players added to the roster. Bucknell's non-conference schedule will be released in the coming days.
In addition to the two scrimmages, the Bison squad will have sightseeing opportunities in both Montreal and Ottawa. Most of the team's 17-man roster will be on the trip, although a few will not be in attendance due to injury or international student visa processes. Junior Aleksander Pachucki, a Scarborough, Ontario native, will be returning to his home country, and a number of his teammates will put on a Bucknell uniform for the first time.
"I am very excited for this trip to Canada on a number of levels," said Griffin. "This will be the culmination of what has been a very productive summer session up to this point. It will give our guys a fun opportunity to take an early road trip together, enjoy a couple of historic cities, and jump into a competitive environment against two of the top Canadian college basketball teams."
The Bison will be facing two quality opponents in Carleton and Queen's, both of which are coming off outstanding seasons. Carleton went 17-5 in 2025-26 under veteran head coach Taffe Charles, and the Ravens captured the U SPORTS Final 8 championship in Calgary. After hosting Bucknell next week, the Ravens are set to face Arkansas, Valparaiso, and Texas A&M at the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League in The Bahamas.
Queen's went 20-11 last season, including a 15-7 mark in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) conference. Coach Stephen Barrie's squad has posted seven straight winning seasons, and in the two previous seasons, the Gaels won the OUA Wilson Cup and U SPORTS Final 8 Men's Basketball Championship. It was Queen's first OUA Wilson Cup Championship in nearly 70 years. Barrie also led Queen's to its first four national appearances in program history from 2022-25.
Bucknell finished 10-23 in an injury plagued 2025-26 season, one year removed from a Patriot League regular-season title. The Bison will feature a new look this season, with 11 new players added to the roster. Bucknell's non-conference schedule will be released in the coming days.
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