BRONX – The Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball team will open the 2025-26 season with a pair of games at the Brookdale Community College Classic this weekend. The Express will battle the host-Jersey Blues on Saturday at 4 p.m. and then take on nationally ranked No. 8 Northern Essex Community College on Sunday at 12 p.m. Both games will take place at Robert J. Collins Arena in Lincroft, N.J.

Monroe – Bronx is receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. The full rankings can be seen here. Monroe aims to reach its second consecutive Region 15 Title game and win its first regional championship since the 2021-22 season.

Fans can head over to www.MonroeExpress.com/Coverage for the live stats and video links for this weekend. 

The Express will have seven returners this year, including Paolo Avvento, Malike Smart, and Steven McGriff. Eight players will be playing for Monroe - Bronx for the first time, including Caleb Dunn and Adrian Rosario.

Chris Neely returns for his fifth year as head coach of the Express. He will once again be assisted by Marktise Brown and Fitzroy Saunders. Joining Monroe's coaching staff will be Michael Cintron, Isaac Martinez, and Tyrell Walker

The full 2025-26 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball roster can be seen at this link.

For preseason interviews with Neely, Smart, McGriff, and Dunn, check out www.Instagram.com/MonroeExpress.

The Express face a challenging schedule as four games will be against teams that are nationally ranked. The home opener will be on Thursday against Queensborough Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The full 2025-26 Monroe University – Bronx men's basketball schedule can be seen here.

For news and updates regarding the Express men's basketball season, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).