A new era of Caltech Men's Basketball begins this winter as Bryan Joel takes the helm of the Beavers. While it will be his first season leading the program, Joel is no stranger to either Caltech or the head coaching chair. A former Beaver student-athlete from 2011-15, Joel returns to Pasadena after serving on the coaching staff at the University of Chicago for nine years, including time as the Interim Head Coach during the 2022-23 season. After his nine years at University of Chicago, Joel joined the coaching staff at Army West Point.
With regards to the players, one of the biggest reasons for optimism entering the season is the sheer amount of experience returning to the roster. Caltech brings back virtually its entire core from 2025-26 into this season, including seniors Dagemawi Getachew (Laurel, Md. / Roosevelt), Pranit Gunjal (Newark, Del. / Newark Charter), Robert Jackson (Matteson, Ill. / Southland College Prep Charter) and Andrew Koclanes (Denver, Colo. / Colorado Academy). Juniors Josh Balami (Woodbury, Minn. / Math and Science Academy), Chase Williamson (McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove) and Stuart Florescu (Toronto, Canada / Crescent School) along with sophomores Ryan Rodrigue (San Diego, Calif. / Santa Fe Christian), Ido Geffen (Wayland, Mass. / Wayland High School) and Finnegan Fancher (Ventura, Calif. / Ventura High School) round out the returners.
The Beavers will also welcome 6'3" first-year guard Anthony Liu (Vancouver, Canada / Southridge School), an addition that figures to inject youthful energy into an experienced and composed roster.
The season begins Nov. 7 with a rivalry showdown at Occidental, immediately providing an early test and setting the tone for the year. One week later, Caltech hosts Nebraska Wesleyan in the home opener at Braun Gymnasium, giving Beaver fans their first chance to see the new-look squad in action.
November continues with a road trip to Azusa Pacific Nov. 17 before home contests against the University of Dallas Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. and Linfield Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. Conference play arrives quickly with road SCIAC matchups at Chapman Dec. 2 and Cal Lutheran Dec. 5.
A challenging and entertaining nonconference slate follows, featuring home games against UC Santa Cruz Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m., Bates Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m., Wisconsin-Whitewater Dec 19 at 2:30 p.m. and Wilkes Dec 30 at 2:00 p.m. Those contests should provide valuable opportunities for growth while also bringing quality opponents from across the country to Pasadena.
SCIAC home play officially begins Jan. 2 at 4:00 p.m. when Caltech hosts Pomona-Pitzer. The Beavers then welcome Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. and Redlands to Braun Gymnasium before renewing their rivalry with Occidental on the road Jan. 16.
The second half of conference play features key home dates against La Verne Jan. 20 at 7:00 p.m., Whittier Jan. 23 at 4:00 p.m., Chapman Jan. 27 at 7:00 p.m. and Cal Lutheran Feb. 6 at 4:00 p.m., while road trips to Redlands Jan. 30, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Feb. 10, Whittier Feb. 13 and La Verne Feb. 17 will help determine positioning in the SCIAC standings.
The regular season concludes Feb. 20 when Caltech hosts Occidental in Braun Gymnasium Saturday Feb 20 at 4:00 p.m. Rivalry games always carry added importance, and the season finale promises to be one of the most anticipated home games of the year.
With a beloved alumnus leading the program, a veteran roster returning to the court and a schedule packed with compelling matchups, there is plenty of reason for excitement surrounding Caltech Men's Basketball in 2026-27.
