OKLAHOMA CITY - First-year head coach Tim Moser is taking the reins of the Oklahoma City University men's basketball program for the upcoming 2026–27 season, ushering in a complete roster overhaul designed to build a competitive, service-driven team culture from the ground up.
 
Coming to OCU from the University of Texas at Tyler, Moser brings 20 years of collegiate head coaching experience and 13 conference championships to the Stars. With a squad built from scratch, the new era of OCU basketball will rely on a mix of familiar transfer leaders, battle-tested returning veterans, and a heavy influx of dynamic newcomers.
 
Establishing the Culture: The UT-Tyler Connection
Faced with the monumental task of constructing a roster from scratch, Moser found a distinct advantage by bringing five familiar faces with him from his previous stop at UT-Tyler. These transfers already understand Moser's high standard of expectations, tactical values, and locker room culture, giving the Stars an immediate foundation of "service leadership."
 
"It was definitely advantageous to have five guys come with me," Moser said. "They know what is expected of them in practice and know the values I want in our program and the culture we will work for in the locker room. Each of these guys is a super person, and they will bring a servant leadership style to their teammates."
 
The veteran coach expects each of these young men to lead in their own way. Since both Xavier Williams and Mate Kapanadze will play the point guard position, Moser expects both to lead vocally as they quarterback the offense and defense. Meanwhile, Jacob Bell, Spencer Gaze, and Noah Suarjaya bring different personalities and styles, but Moser emphasized that all will lead the right way.
 
"I expect each of these young men to lead in their own way," Moser said. "Since both Xavier Williams and Mate Kapanadze will play the point guard position, I expect both to lead vocally as they quarterback the offense and defense. Jacob Bell, Spencer Gaze and Noah Suarjaya bring different personalities and styles, but all will lead the right way. Each of these guys demands the most out of themselves and they care and put the team first. I couldn't ask for better leadership to start this first year."
 
Veteran Leadership: The Returning Stars
While the program features a massive wave of new faces, Moser is keeping a core group of four returning Stars who were a part of a championship locker room last season. Moser is happy that Peyton Ackerman, Dylan Bower, Hykeem Hancock, and JD Gross chose to come back, noting that he enjoys working with them every day. He believes that because each of these guys were in a championship locker room last season, he knows each of them learned from that experience, and when they share that experience, the team can learn.
 
"I am happy that Peyton Ackerman, Dylan Bower, Hykeem Hancock and JD Gross chose to come back," Moser said. "I enjoy working with them every day. Each of these guys were in a championship locker room last season and I know each of them learned from that experience. When they share that experience, our team can learn. Peyton Ackerman will give us good depth at the point guard position. Dylan Bowers is the definition of a gym rat. His work ethic is easy to respect. Hykeem Hancock brings a unique skill set to our front court. His experience and shooting ability will stretch the floor. JD Gross brings toughness and a high motor on defense. Those things will get him to the court."
 
Instant Impact: Newcomer Sourcing and Freshmen Depth
The incoming recruiting class features heavy immediate-impact talent, highlighted by standout transfers from the local area and across the state. Moser believes several newcomers could contribute immediately, pointing directly to local products Chase Sucharda and Hudson Greer, who come from a great program and should both make an impact this season. Additionally, Tulsa, Okla., natives Tyler Pinder and KJ Nichols bring significant scoring and athleticism at the guard spot, prompting Moser to state that both should play a significant role.
 
The roster is rounded out by a high-upside freshman class whose role will expand with continuous development. Moser stated that depending on their constant growth, the Stars have multiple freshmen that should contribute this year as well.
 
"We have several newcomers that could contribute immediately," Moser said. "Local products Chase Sucharda and Hudson Greer come from a great program and both should make an impact this season. Tulsa natives Tyler Pinder and KJ Nichols bring scoring and athleticism at the guard spot. Both should play a significant role. Depending on their constant growth, we have multiple freshmen that should contribute this year as well. Maxime Faivre and Quentin Bonneau are intelligent, hardworking and I look forward to the progress of Mason Morris, Landon Barnes and Carter Hannrihar."
 
Testing the Roster: The 2026–27 Schedule
Putting together a brand-new schedule on a condensed timeline required some navigating, but Moser is confident the non-conference slate offers exactly the kind of trial-by-fire tests his young team needs. The absolute peak of that non-conference preparation will come in the form of two challenging exhibition games against NCAA competition, as the Stars face off against Division II Cameron University on Nov. 10 and Division I Oral Roberts University on Nov. 14.
 
"We were scrambling a little bit this year to finalize the non-conference schedule, but I feel like we scheduled what we needed," Moser said. "We will be tested through all our non-conference games and will be challenged with our two exhibition games versus Oral Roberts and Cameron."
 
Defining Success: Winning "The Right Way"
For Moser, the definition of success for this first-year team goes far beyond the final numbers on the scoreboard. Moser's philosophy is anchored in winning every day in the classroom and in the community, firmly believing that if they do those things, it translates to wins on the court.
 
"We really want to be the best team we can become," Moser said. "Obviously, we want to win, but we want to win the right way. We want to win every day in the classroom and in the community. If we do those things, we believe that translates to wins on the court. Our goal is to bring our best every night we compete."
  2026–27 OCU Men's Basketball Roster
The complete 18-player roster for the upcoming season includes senior point guards Peyton Ackerman, Mate Kapanadze, and Xavier Williams. The remaining roster consists of veterans and highly anticipated local and international newcomers, including Noah Suarjaya, Chase Sucharda, Dylan Bower, KJ Nichols, JD Gross, Maxime Faivre, Tyler Pinder, Hykeem Hancock, Spencer Gaze, Quentin Bonneau, Mason Morris, Carter Hainrihar, Hudson Greer, Landon Barnes, and Jacob Bell