Main Story

Hartford opens the 2026-27 season aiming to turn last year’s progress into a stronger campaign. The Hawks bring back 11 players, including senior standouts Kyle Winters and Kaosi Chijioke, as third-year coach Aaron Toomey emphasizes consistency, accountability and daily improvement.

By the Numbers
  • Hartford went 13-12 overall and 7-9 in Conference of New England play last season.
  • The Hawks return 11 players, including six seniors, and add two transfers and one freshman.
  • Winters averaged 15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game; Chijioke averaged 11.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.
  • The schedule includes 25 games, with 10 additional home games and a 16-game conference slate.
Yes, But

Hartford has experience and productive returning players, but last season’s improvement still fell short of the team’s goals. The two transfers arrive with limited college playing experience, making the returning core’s consistency especially important.

State of Play
  • The Hawks begin the season Nov. 6 against Montclair State at the Farmingdale State Tip-Off Tournament.
  • The home opener is scheduled for Nov. 14 against Saint John’s University (Minnesota); conference play starts Nov. 18 against Wentworth.
  • A Feb. 13 matchup with the University of New England offers a chance to face the team that ended Hartford’s conference playoff hopes last season.
What's Next

Hartford’s early games will test how quickly its returning group can establish consistency and integrate its new players. The season’s conference matchups will show whether that growth can translate into a stronger push for postseason contention.

Bottom Line

The Hawks have a veteran foundation and clear room to improve; turning that experience into steady performance will determine whether last season’s progress becomes a real step forward.