Andrin Njock Eren Banks
Taylor Newton

Men's Basketball

Men's Basketball Opens Home Schedule Wednesday Against Crusaders

BOONE, N.C. — App State Men's Basketball, two days removed from an out-of-state, season-opening win, begins its home schedule Wednesday night against Christendom.
 
A doubleheader for the App State men and women at the Holmes Center begins with a 5 p.m. women's game against Montreat, followed at approximately 7 p.m. by the men facing Christendom from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Crusaders are based out of northern Virginia in the town of Front Royal.
 
Fans purchasing a ticket to the men's game receive admission to both games Wednesday.
 
Parking in the Holmes Deck is $15 for both games. Within 0.4 miles of the Holmes Center, there are roughly 1,500 FREE parking spaces available for game day use, with lots including Hill Street, Rivers Street Parking Deck, University Drive, Peacock, Legends and Duncan. 
 
Wednesday's home opener is also the first opportunity for students and fans to participate in the new Mountaineer Passport rewards program. Those passports can be picked up at the Southwest Entrance marketing table.
 
App State opened the 2026-27 season Monday with a 6 a.m. tipoff and a 63-49 victory against Merrimack as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon event in Rock Hill, S.C. The Mountaineers established a 23-3 lead in the first seven minutes against the unique 4-1 zone defense from Merrimack, which went 23-11 overall last season while winning the Metro Conference's regular season title with a 17-3 league record. The lead never dipped below 13 points the rest of the way, as App State held a 43-21 halftime advantage and still possessed a 20-point lead with seven minutes remaining.
 
Joining returning App State players Eren Banks and Chad Moodie in the starting lineup against Merrimack, guard Jaylen Colon, guard Ben Kopetzki and forward Ted Neal made their first career starts for the Mountaineers. Colon hit four 3-pointers en route to a team-high 14 points, and Kopetzki drilled a trio of 3-pointers in a 12-point, five-rebound outing. Neal had 12 points, five offensive rebounds and four assists.
 
Christendom is making its season debut under head coach Joe Dotson, who led the Crusaders to a 10-12 record last season. John Fowler is the team's top returning scorer after he averaged 11.8 points per game last season.
 
Sport-specific giving allows you to directly support App State student-athletes and help provide them the resources they need to be successful. Click here to contribute to the Men's Basketball support fund.
 
Keep up with App State Men's Basketball wherever you go by following the Mountaineers on social media. Follow @AppStateMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook. Download the App State Athletics App for iOS or Android to keep the Mountaineers at your fingertips.
 
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Players Mentioned

Eren Banks

#4 Eren Banks

G
6' 3"
Senior
Chad Moodie

#23 Chad Moodie

F
6' 8"
Senior
Ted Neal

#7 Ted Neal

F
6' 7"
Sophomore
Jaylen Colon

#9 Jaylen Colon

G
6' 2"
Senior
Ben Kopetzki

#5 Ben Kopetzki

G
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Eren Banks

#4 Eren Banks

6' 3"
Senior
G
Chad Moodie

#23 Chad Moodie

6' 8"
Senior
F
Ted Neal

#7 Ted Neal

6' 7"
Sophomore
F
Jaylen Colon

#9 Jaylen Colon

6' 2"
Senior
G
Ben Kopetzki

#5 Ben Kopetzki

6' 0"
Senior
G