If you walk into the newly renovated John Glaser Arena at 20th and Olney, you can almost hear the echoes. It’s a Philadelphia thing. You’ve got the Big 5 history, the ghosts of the Palestra, and a fan base that remembers when the La Salle University men’s basketball program wasn't just a local team—it was the center of the college basketball universe.
Honestly, being a La Salle fan lately has been a test of patience. We're talking about a school that hasn't seen the NCAA Tournament since that magical Sweet 16 run in 2013. But 2026 feels different. It’s the start of the Darris Nichols era, and if you haven't been paying attention, the roster just underwent a total facelift.
The Tom Gola Shadow and Why History Is a Heavy Lift
You can't talk about La Salle without mentioning Tom Gola. Period. He’s the reason the old arena bore his name for decades. The man remains the NCAA’s all-time leading rebounder with 2,201 boards. Think about that. He’s been gone since 2014, and the record still stands in a world where players stay for five or six years now.
La Salle won the NIT in 1952 and the NCAA Championship in 1954. Back then, the Explorers were a juggernaut. They were the first team to play in a nationally televised title game. But history can be a double-edged sword. It provides a standard of excellence that is incredibly hard to maintain for a small Catholic school in the meat grinder of the Atlantic 10.
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Most people get this wrong: they think La Salle is "just" another Philly school. But the Explorers have a pedigree that outshines many "bigger" programs. The 1968-69 team went 23-1 and finished ranked second in the nation. The 1990 team with Lionel Simmons (the "L-Train") won 30 games. This program has "it" in its DNA; it just needs to find the right spark again.
The Darris Nichols Era: A Total System Reset
When Fran Dunphy retired at the end of the 2024-25 season, the school didn't just hire a new coach; they hired a builder. Darris Nichols came over from Radford, and he didn't waste any time.
Basically, the 2025-26 season started with one returner. One. Junior guard Eric Acker is the only guy who knows where the locker room was located last year. Everyone else? New. Nichols brought in 12 newcomers, many of whom followed him from Radford or came through the portal to rebuild the Explorers from scratch.
The 2025-26 squad is currently sitting at 5-13 overall and 1-4 in the A-10 as of mid-January. That record looks rough on paper, I know. But if you watch the games, you see the vision. They're playing a brand of basketball that emphasizes "grit and toughness," a phrase Nichols repeats like a mantra.
Breaking Down the 2026 Roster
- Jaeden Marshall: The graduate guard is the engine. He recently surpassed 900 career points and is currently leading the team with about 12 points per game. He’s a deadeye from the free-throw line, ranking near the top of the conference at nearly 90%.
- Josiah Harris: A 6-8 forward who followed Nichols from Radford. He’s a physical presence who just hit the 800-career-point milestone.
- Rob Dockery: A redshirt sophomore who has been a revelation in conference play, averaging over 14 points a game when the lights get brighter.
- Edwin Daniel: The shot-blocker. He’s currently 5th in the A-10 in blocks, giving the Explorers a rim protector they haven't had in years.
The Struggle for Respect in the Atlantic 10
The A-10 is a beast. You’ve got Dayton, VCU, and Saint Louis—teams with massive budgets and NIL war chests. La Salle often feels like the underdog, but that's exactly where they like to be.
Recently, the Explorers dropped a tough one to Richmond, 74-53. It was a game where the offense just went cold in the second half, shooting 31% from the field. That's the growing pain of a team with 12 new players. They haven't found that late-game "flow" yet.
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However, they leads the league in free throw attempts during conference play. They are aggressive. They are getting to the rim. They are crashing the glass, ranking 4th in the A-10 in offensive rebounding. They're "mucking up" the game, making it uncomfortable for opponents.
What’s Actually Happening at John Glaser Arena?
The school recently moved back into the renovated John Glaser Arena. It’s intimate, loud, and right on campus. The atmosphere is shift-y. It's not a sterile pro arena; it’s a classic Philly basketball gym.
There's a misconception that La Salle is falling behind in the recruiting arms race. But look at the 2026-27 signing class. Nichols just landed RJ Smith, the Philadelphia Public Player of the Year from Roman Catholic. Keeping that local talent home is the only way La Salle climbs back to the top.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Explorers this season, don't just look at the wins and losses. That’s a trap. Look at the development of the young core.
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- Watch the Rebounding Margins: La Salle's identity is tied to the glass. If they're winning the board battle, they’re in the game.
- Monitor the Starting Lineup: Nichols has used 15 different starting lineups in 17 games. He’s still searching for the right chemistry. Once that settles, the wins will follow.
- Check the 2026 Recruiting Class: The addition of local stars like RJ Smith suggests a shift in how the program is perceived by Philly high school coaches.
- Attend a Game at Glaser: The home-court advantage is the most underrated tool the Explorers have.
La Salle basketball isn't dead; it’s just under construction. The bones of the program are too strong for it to stay down forever. Whether it’s the memories of Gola or the new energy of Nichols, there’s a sense that the Explorers are finally done looking backward and are starting to move forward.
Next Step: Track the Explorers' home performance at John Glaser Arena through the remainder of the 2026 A-10 schedule to see if the young roster finds its rhythm before the conference tournament.