Late additions of Jack Collins and Madison Durr, two players entering their fifth year, along with depth in the back court, the presence of hungry newcomers and a deep rotation have combined to lift the team's outlook for the 2026-27 season.
Monmouth will open the new season Monday on the road at St. John's, No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, as part of an early-season slate of high-major and regional matchups.
Monmouth basketball in 2026-27 has some new kids on the block
In today's college basketball world, many teams have a new look each year due to transfers — and Monmouth isn't an exception. Lo Walker is a 6-foot-4 redshirt senior who hails from North Carolina A&T and averaged 16.6 points in five games for the Aggies last year. Junior Jakai Sanders is a 6-foo-3 quick and strong guard that transferred over from Le Moyne. Sophomore Ashton Walker is a 6-foot-5 guard that came this way from La Salle.
Not only did these guards show in an exhibition game last week against Seton Hall that they can get to the paint with ease with their quickness, but they crash boards, too.
Rice, referencing the loss to Hofstra in the CAC Tournament final as being tied to rebounding issues, said winning the boards is a point of emphasis.
"Every practice we talk about (rebounding) or he mentions (it)," Ashton Walker said. "We do box out drills, and rebound drills and we're really big on that. He talks about the amount of offensive rebounds they gave up in the championship. We can't allow it to happen again this year. So we've been really big on all that. And we mention that every day, like being a championship team."
But it's not only about the guards; Rice has indicated he likes the entire look of the team.
"Lureon (Walker) is a high major player," Rice said after the Seton Hall game, then going on to mention Stefanos Spartalis, Stef Marjanovic and Stephen Osei. "So we got guys that can go at you. Ashton Walker is a high-major player, (Spartalis) is a high-major, my young Stef is a high-major, Stephen Osei came from Kansas State. All these guys said no to bigger checks to come here. Madison and Jack, fifth-year guys, they just make you different. At this point, I'm planning on taking them off the bench so my second unit can be as strong as the first unit. And a lot of teams, we'll run your legs tired – beat you just because of that."
Spartalis, a returning starter, will play mostly the four-position for the Hawks this year. He appeared to be slimmer and quicker but just as strong as the other bigs on the court against Seton Hall in an exhibition game last Saturday.
Marjanovic is also an interesting case. The 7-foot freshman has shown signs of promise with his ability to pick and pop, shoot the 3, and rebound. Osei is the other center who can be a solid rim protector. Sophomore O'Marion Harvey could be a real asset for Monmouth with his ability to get into passing lanes and create easy baskets.
Then there's a group of talented freshmen including Torrey Brooks Jr., Jebron Harris and Dylan Perry, all Garden State natives.
On the coaching side, Shammond Williams was added to the staff for player development and will call much of the defense. He played his college days at UNC, where Rice was a point guard (1987–1991) under coach Dean Smith. Williams went on to play in 325 NBA games over 10 seasons.
Micah Seaborn will be the offensive coordinator, according to Rice. The fourth-year assistant and former Hawk player developed the likes of LSU's Abdi Bashir Jr. and Xander Rice when they played at MU.
5 MUST-SEE GAMES
Nov. 2 at St. John's
Monmouth already proved it can matchup well with a Big East team after meeting Seton Hall in the preseason and now the Hawks will open the season against the reigning Big East champion coached by Rick Pitino. Energy is going to be high, and the depth Monmouth has the potential to cause issues for the No. 14 Red Storm.
Nov. 23 at UNC
The Hawks will head down to face King Rice's alma mater. It was only in March when Hubert Davis was fired after another early exit in the NCAA tournament. Former Denver Nuggets' head coach Michael Malone is now at the helm. Now a "buy game" for the Hawks, Monmouth will aim to pull off an upset in Chapel Hill.
Nov. 28 vs St. Joseph's
After a brutal six-game start away from home, the Hawks will finally have their home opener at the end of November. By this time of the season Monmouth should know its strength and weaknesses.
Jan. 21 vs UNC Wilmington
The Seahawks are projected to finish at the top of the conference this year backed behind Preseason Player of the Year Patrick Wessler. Last year, Monmouth fought UNC Wilmington tough on the road before ultimately falling to the Seahawks. Now with Durr transferring back over to Monmouth from UNC Wilmington, it's game on.
Feb. 15 vs Hofstra
With each team looking brand new every year, the steam is taken a bit off from this CAA championship rematch. However, make no mistake, it'll be circled on the calendar for the returning players. Hofstra's backcourt of Preston Edmead and Cruz Davis transferred to Power 4 schools. However, Hofstra is predicted to finish third in the CAA; there's history between these two teams and it should be a good one in West Long Branch.
OUR PREDICTION
The Hawks are picked for fifth in the CAA coaches' poll but bringing back two experienced guards for their fifth years changes things. Rice has expressed excitement for the group of guys he's had. Monmouth has a tough start to the schedule against non-conference teams, but is fully capable of going into the new year at .500. If healthy the Hawks are a top three team in the league – the depth in the back court is that good, with the guards talented, tall, and possessing elite quickness. In the front court Stefanos Spartalis has grown-man strength and his returning for another year is big for Monmouth and Marjanovic is a sleeper who can take the conference by surprise.
Predicted final record: 21-11
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth men's basketball season preview | Exclusive