Daemen University’s men’s basketball team is the first Division I or II team from Western New York to be ranked number 1 in the country.
The Wildcats topped the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II national poll. They are also the first East Coast Conference (ECC) team to finish the regular season unbeaten—with an impressive 25-0 record, 16-0 in conference play—since C.W. Post in 2008-09. They remain the only unbeaten team across NCAA Division II.
“The way this year’s team plays on the court reflects who they are off the court,” said Head Coach Mike McDonald. “They are unselfish, connected, and competitive and they enjoy seeing their teammates succeed. When you combine those qualities with the basketball talent each individual has, it comes together to form an incredible team…and that’s what they are…incredible and a team in the truest form.”
The Wildcats hope to keep their winning streak alive this weekend.
Daemen’s men’s and women’s teams will host the semifinal and final rounds of the ECC Basketball Championships in Lumsden Gymnasium on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9, with six games planned over the two-day period.
Both teams clinched their respective regular season conference titles last month—earning this coveted hosting opportunity—which marks the first time since 2020 that the ECC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will be held at the same venue.
The Wildcats are hosting the men’s portion of the conference tournament for the first time, seeking their first conference tournament title since joining the ECC in 2013. 
The Daemen women’s team went 15-1 in ECC play this season, earning their sixth consecutive regular season championship. They will enter postseason play with an overall record of 19-7.
This marks the fifth consecutive season that Lumsden Gymnasium will serve as the host site for the ECC Women’s Basketball Championship, with the Wildcats seeking their fourth straight conference tournament crown and their fifth in the last six seasons.
“Our team worked hard all season to earn the Regular Season ECC Championship and the opportunity to host the ECC Conference Championships,” said Women’s Head Coach, Jenepher Banker. “We look forward to all the great competition this weekend.”
The winning teams of this weekend’s tournaments will receive automatic bids to their respective 2025 NCAA Division II Basketball Championships.
Tickets for the semifinal rounds will go on sale to the general public at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 7. Tickets for the final rounds will go on sale at 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 9. All ticket sales are conducted online through the ECC’s ticketing partner, Hometown Ticketing, and are for single games only. No cash is accepted on site. In addition, the gymnasium will be cleared between each contest.