WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — A new chapter begins for one of Division II basketball's most consistent powers. The West Liberty University men's basketball team enters the 2025–26 campaign ranked No. 11 nationally in the NABC/Division II Coaches Poll and picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference, ushering in the Michael Lamberti era on the Hilltop.

The Hilltoppers are coming off another banner season in which they won the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship and advanced to the Elite Eight, finishing with a 30–5 record and setting a new NCAA Division II record with their 16th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The streak is a testament to the program's remarkable consistency and championship pedigree.

A Familiar Face Leads a New Chapter

Lamberti, a former standout Hilltopper and longtime assistant under Ben Howlett, returns to West Liberty after two seasons as head coach at Coker University. During his previous six-year stint on the WLU bench, the Hilltoppers posted a 135–21 record, captured multiple MEC championships, and reached the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship game.

Now, he takes over the program he once helped guide — bringing with him both head coaching experience and a fast-paced offensive identity that mirrors the program's trademark style. His Coker squad averaged 100.1 points per game last season, ranking third nationally.

"It feels great to be back," Lamberti said. "The buzz always starts up here in the fall. Our guys have been working hard since they got on campus in August, and they're ready to take it out on somebody else. The excitement is real."

Maintaining the Hilltopper Identity

Though this season marks the start of a new era, the core identity of Hilltopper basketball — relentless pressure, unselfish offense, and unmatched tempo — remains intact.

"We're going to have that 94 feet of pressure. We're going to push on offense and dictate tempo," Lamberti said. "Every coach in this program's lineage has put their own twist on it — from Coach Crutchfield to Coach Howlett — but the results speak for themselves. It's a results-driven system that keeps evolving."

Building a New Roster

Only two players — Dante Spadafora and Cooper Kent — return from last year's roster, but Lamberti has rebuilt quickly with a balanced mix of experience and youth. Eight players followed him from Coker University, while several transfers and freshmen round out the 16-man lineup.

Spadafora, a fifth-year senior and the team's captain, headlines the returning core. The 6-foot guard started 31 games last season, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while leading the Hilltoppers in steals (62).

"Dante's been to two Elite Eights and won a conference championship every year he's been here," Lamberti said. "He brings a winning pedigree and an incredible motor. When he's on the floor, the rest of our team feeds off that energy. Having a veteran like him as our captain is irreplaceable."

Kent, a sophomore guard, returns after redshirting last season and has shown steady progress this fall.

Among the newcomers, several familiar faces from Coker are expected to make immediate impacts, including Jamie Muldowney, Landon Butler, Xavier Harris, Max Hurray, and Hayden Abdullah — all of whom bring valuable experience in Lamberti's up-tempo system.

"Having eight bodies from Coker has helped," Lamberti said. "There's built-in camaraderie there, and it's helped our new and returning guys jell quicker. The chemistry on this team is special."

Transfers Peter Lattos (Northern Michigan) and Terrance Pankey (Butler County CC/WLU) also bolster the rotation. Lattos adds size and rebounding presence at 6'8", while Pankey returns to West Liberty as an athletic, defensive-minded guard who thrives in the press.

The freshmen class features a promising quartet of high school standouts:

• Aiden Davis (Steubenville HS) – prolific shooter and Ohio Mr. Basketball nominee.
   

• Myles Montgomery (Minford HS, Ohio) – high-energy guard and four-time All-State honoree.
   

• Cameron Williams (Elder HS, Cincinnati) – versatile wing and Greater Catholic League Player of the Year.
   

• Max Butler (Greater Latrobe HS, Pa.) – skilled forward and two-time all-state pick.
   

"Our freshmen have really competed," Lamberti said. "Guys like Montgomery and Williams bring energy and athleticism, while Davis and Butler can really shoot it. They've all shown flashes of what they can become in our system."

Day-by-Day Approach

While the preseason rankings and tradition create high expectations, Lamberti remains focused on process over pressure.

"The standard is the standard at West Liberty," he said. "We've had an incredible run of NCAA Tournament appearances, and the banners speak for themselves. But our approach doesn't change — it's day-by-day. If we take care of what's in front of us, the results will follow."

As the Hilltoppers prepare to tip off another season of high-scoring basketball and trademark pressure defense, one thing is certain — the culture that built West Liberty into a national power continues to thrive under familiar leadership.

"It's all positives," Lamberti said. "This is a dream opportunity — to come home, to lead my alma mater. The excitement is still there, but the focus is on putting in the work and continuing the tradition of winning basketball on the Hilltop."

West Liberty opens the 2025–26 season Friday when they host Clarion at 6 p.m. in the Atlantic Region Crossover at the ASRC, looking to extend its historic postseason streak and chase another championship — same standard, new chapter.