Features

Every story we've featured on The Wire, newest first: 7 so far. Each one keeps its score, box score link and our posts.

November 2026

2 features

InstagramD2 upsets D1: Fort Valley State 75, Florida A&M 70

D2HOOPSTOONov 5

History in Tallahassee: Fort Valley State upsets D1 Florida A&M 75-70

Division II Fort Valley State (SIAC) knocked off Division I Florida A&M 75-70 in a preseason exhibition Thursday night at the Al Lawson Center, a first in program history per FVSU. The Wildcats trailed 34-28 at the half, then won the second half 47-36, using a 12-0 run to swing a game that saw eight lead changes. Inslee Carroll led Fort Valley State with 19 points. Katayvon Jefferies came off the bench to hit five threes for 15, and Josiah Lawson added 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Daisean Williford (22) and Jaden Kempson (21) led Florida A&M.

Fort Valley St.75

Florida A&M70FinalDaisean Williford 22 ptsBox score →

Fort Valley St.

Florida A&M

Source: D2HoopsToo on Instagram →

Instagram28 PTS in his D1 debut

D2→D1Nov 3

Zach Philipkoski, former Daemen All-American, drops 28 in St. Bonaventure debut

Zach Philipkoski didn't need long to show he belongs in Division I. In his first game at St. Bonaventure on Nov. 2, the former Daemen guard led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting (71%), going 4-of-7 (57%) from 3-point range and adding four assists and three rebounds in 32 minutes at the Reilly Center. His biggest shot came late. With the Bonnies chasing in the second half, Philipkoski hit a corner three while being fouled and tied the game at 60, which got the Reilly Center loud. Youngstown State answered behind Linus Holmstrom's 26 points and six threes and pulled away for a 79-71 win. Bona went 9-of-21 at the free-throw line. The opener was also Mike MacDonald's first game as St. Bonaventure head coach. Philipkoski and center Benjamin Bill followed MacDonald from Daemen this spring after playing their whole college careers for him. Last season at Daemen, Philipkoski was the East Coast Conference Player of the Year and an NABC and D2CCA All-American. He averaged a career-best 17.8 points. He was named Most Outstanding Player of both the ECC Tournament and the NCAA East Region, where he scored a career-high 40 points with 11 threes in the regional final against Saint Anselm. That sent the Wildcats to the Elite Eight, and they finished 33-2, the best record in program history. Philipkoski and the Bonnies go back to Western New York this Saturday, Nov. 7, at Canisius (7 p.m.). Watch his debut highlight on our Instagram below. #D2HoopsToo #WeHoopToo

Daemen

Source: St. Bonaventure Athletics →

October 2026

5 features

D2HOOPSTOOOct 26

Full circle in Daytona: Ryan Ridder brings Mercer home to face his father's Embry-Riddle

Ryan Ridder played for his father, longtime Embry-Riddle head coach Steve Ridder, in Daytona Beach. On Saturday he came back as Mercer's head coach and faced the Eagles from the other bench for the first time. Mercer won the exhibition 77-61, but the handshake was the moment. Bigger than basketball.

Mercer77

Embry-Riddle (FL)61Final · ExhibitionBox score →

Embry-Riddle (FL)

Source: NCAA Division II →

InstagramRook and soph connection

D2HOOPSTOOOct 26

D2HoopsToo with the Dolphins as Staten Island gears up for 2026-27

D2HoopsToo has been with College of Staten Island this preseason, including the Dolphins' exhibition against Division I Wagner at home on Oct. 24. Our cameras caught Shedrach talking his talk on the floor and the rookie-sophomore connection of Albano and Andrew. Thanks to CSI for having us. The Dolphins open the regular season Nov. 14 at home against Jefferson.

Wagner College91

Staten Island65Final · ExhibitionBox score →

Talk to 'em, Shed

Staten Island

Source: D2HoopsToo on Instagram →

PROOct 26

Three former D2 players drafted in the 2026 NBA G League Draft

Three former Division II players heard their names called in the 2026 NBA G League Draft on Oct. 24. Yusuf Mohamed (Westminster (UT)) went ninth overall to the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder's affiliate. After a season at Tennessee State, Mohamed averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds for Westminster in 2021-22, and has since played professionally overseas and in Mexico. Matt Lane (Molloy) went 17th overall to the Texas Legends, the Mavericks' affiliate. Lane played five seasons at Molloy and closed out 2024-25 averaging 8.2 points and 11.8 rebounds with 12 double-doubles, then played last season in Germany. Jonathan Jackson (Midwestern State) went ninth in the second round, also to the Texas Legends. Jackson averaged 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Mustangs in 2025-26, with a season high of 31, after starting his D2 career at UT Tyler. #WeHoopToo

Westminster (UT)

Molloy

Midwestern St.

Source: NBA G League →

InstagramMavs in flight

D2HOOPSTOOOct 25

Mav Madness: D2HoopsToo courtside as Mercy tips off 2026-27

Mercy University kicked off its 2026-27 season with Mav Madness on Oct. 22, and D2HoopsToo was in the building. Our cameras caught the Mavs in flight and a "big shoes to fill" moment from the Mavericks. Thanks to Mercy for having us. The Mavs open the regular season Nov. 10 at Pace.

Big shoes to fill

Mercy

Source: D2HoopsToo on Instagram →

PROOct 15

From Division II to 17.0 PPG in the NBA preseason: Bennett Stirtz

Bennett Stirtz started his college career in Division II at Northwest Missouri State, where he was the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2023 and a two-time second-team All-MIAA pick under Ben McCollum. He followed McCollum to Drake in 2024 and went on to Iowa in 2025, and the Memphis Grizzlies took him 16th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft before trading him to Oklahoma City for two second-round picks. Through four preseason games with the Thunder he is averaging 17.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 54.8% from the field and 14 of 26 from three. He opened with 15 against New Orleans and 20 against Milwaukee, then dropped a game-high 26 with six threes at Atlanta on Oct. 12. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has praised his poise running the point. Three years ago he was playing in the MIAA. #WeHoopToo

Northwest Mo. St.

Source: NBA.com →