HAMILTON, Ont. —The McMaster Marauders men's basketball team begins their regular season facing the TMU Bold at their home opener on Friday at 8pm.

In his fifth season at McMaster, Head coach Patrick Tatham is clear on the mentality the team has going into the home opener and the rest of the season. "This season the teams mindset is to compete and trust the process of growth and development while we learn how to win," says Tatham. "This season, we are a very young but talented group, so every practice is an opportunity and privilege for us to get better individually but also as a team," continued Tatham. With the competition being tough early in the schedule, Coach Tatham will be looking to his returning players like Tyler Garcia and Ares Culley-Bremner to take a leadership role on the team.

Key Players
 
Tyler Garcia (Mississauga, Ont.), Guard

Garcia is one of 5 returning starting point guards in the league this season. As a top point guard in the league, Garcia ability to move and manipulate play will be key to the Marauders offensive success. Garcia contributed as a versatile guard for the McMaster Marauders during the 2024–25 OUA season, appearing in 19 games and starting 8, while averaging 24.3 minutes per game. Garcia finished the season with 121 points (6.4 per game) and added 48 total rebounds (2.5 per game), helping to anchor the team on both ends of the court. 

Jack McMahan (Burlington, Ont.), Guard

McMahan will be a starting rookie guard on the McMaster men's basketball team this season. The first year guard played the highest level of prep school basketball last year with Orangeville Prep. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting along with his basketball IQ will help this team tremendously.

Ares Culley-Bremner (Hamilton, Ont.), Forward

Fifth year senior, Culley-Bremner will anchor the Marauder defence. His ability to rebound the ball, alter & block shots will be fully counted on. In his 2024–25 campaign with the McMaster Marauders, he made a strong impact on the defensive end, bringing size, energy, and presence around the rim. He also added 56 total rebounds (4.0 per game), including 44 on the defensive glass, helping McMaster control possessions and limit opponents' second-chance opportunities.


With a strong core of both veteran and rookie players, Coach Tatham has his eyes on making it to the OUA Championship. Tatham knows the road will be tough with a competitive OUA Conference and even tougher OUA Central Division. "Every game will be a challenge", says Tatham, "there are 'no more gimme games'".

The 'fighter mentality" that former women's basketball head coach Theresa Burns brought to ever game, resonates very much with Coach Tatham and the men's basketball program as well. They will be sure to bring the fight to each contest this season. "Nothing like being in the fire and gaining experience while we compete night in night out," says Coach Tatham.

Purchase you single-match and season tickets here.

View McMaster's men's basketball full 2025-26 schedule here.