Gallatin, T.N. - The Oswego State Men's Basketball team will head just outside of Nashville to Gallatin, Tennessee, to participate in the Music City Classic, hosted by Welch College. 
 
Oswego heads to Tennessee with a 5-2 record and hopes to continue its early-season success on the road. Close losses to Union College (November 8th) and SUNY Cortland (December 5th) are the two blemishes to their record thus far. These last two games represent the final stretch before conference action resumes, as SUNYAC play kicks back up again on January 6th, 2026.
 
The Lakers are led by the reigning SUNYAC Player of the Year, Sophomore Deacon Judd. Deacon has consistently improved his play this season, and averages 20.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 48.5 percent shooting from the field. Guard Steven Bradley has also stepped up for the Lakers this season, improving his averages to 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, adding in consistent defense. Finally, highlighting the Lakers' top scorers is a spark off the bench, Jayson McGhee. His 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists have completely changed the complexity of many games for Oswego in their young season.
 
Taking a look at each opponent, up first is St. Mary's College of Maryland. Competing in the United East Conference, St. Mary's has a record of 3-4 thus far in their season. They are led by Sophomore James Crimaudo, who averages 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. 
 
The Lakers' second opponent is Franklin College. Franklin competes in the HCAC, more commonly known as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Franklin also has a 3-4 record on the season thus far, and is on a four-game skid as of late. They play two games prior to the Music City Classic, on December 13th and 17th. Franklin is led by a Sophomore guard by the name of Justin Harrington. Relatively unseen throughout his freshman year, appearing in just three games for a total of seven minutes, Harrington has become a mainstay in the starting five for the Grizzlies. He averages 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists leading the Grizzly offense. 
 
With the calendar year coming to a close, two Laker victories would give great momentum heading into the new year, with a bulk of the SUNYAC games still left to be played. 
 
Written by: Tyler Ferragamo