What is Drexel basketball?
Drexel basketball refers primarily to the Drexel Dragons men’s basketball program, an NCAA Division I team that represents Drexel University in Philadelphia and competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). The Dragons play their home games at the on-campus Daskalakis Athletic Center, giving the program a distinct home-court environment in University City.
The 2025–26 Drexel Dragons are led by head coach Zach Spiker in his tenth season, a tenure that has seen the team emphasize defensive toughness, ball movement, and player development over time.[7] This year’s squad is tasked with turning that established identity into more consistent results against an ambitious schedule that includes regional rivals, Big 5 opponents, and traditional CAA challengers.[1][4][7]
2025–26 season so far: schedule and results
Drexel opened the 2025–26 season with a convincing 93–59 win over Widener before running into a difficult run of games that included road trips to Saint Joseph’s and Colgate and a neutral-site meeting with Syracuse.[1][4] Along the way, the Dragons secured home victories against NJIT and Old Dominion and a road win at Morgan State, balancing their record with both strong performances and narrow defeats.[1][4] Through mid-December, Drexel stands at 4–7 overall, with several losses decided by single digits that underscore how thin the margin has been between winning and losing.[1][4]
The nonconference portion of the schedule continues with home games against Mount St. Mary’s and Maine, followed by a quick pivot into CAA play that begins with road contests at Charleston and UNCW.[1][2] After that, Drexel enjoys key home dates against Hofstra, Stony Brook, William & Mary, and later Towson, Northeastern, Hampton, North Carolina A&T, Monmouth, and Campbell, giving them multiple opportunities to protect home court in conference play.[1][2][6] The season will culminate in the CAA Tournament in Washington, D.C., where one strong run can deliver a league title and NCAA Tournament berth.[2][4]
Impact on the CAA race and what to watch next
Despite a sub-.500 early record, Drexel’s narrow losses to teams like American and La Salle suggest that the Dragons are competitive and one or two adjustments away from flipping results in their favor.[1][3][4] As CAA play approaches, the program’s ability to execute late in games, generate consistent offense in the half court, and control the glass will likely determine whether Drexel can climb into the conference’s upper tier.[1][4][7] Fan engagement at the Daskalakis Athletic Center and the growing visibility of games via streaming partners add to the program’s broader impact on the mid-major basketball landscape.[1][3][6]
Looking ahead, observers should watch how Drexel handles a demanding January and February stretch packed with back-to-back home and road contests against league rivals.[1][2][6] Strong performances in those games could position the Dragons for a favorable seed in the CAA Tournament and keep them in the conversation as a dangerous opponent in March, reinforcing Drexel basketball’s enduring relevance within both the CAA and the wider NCAA Division I scene.[2][4][7]