Bryant & Stratton vs Wagner prediction: Wagner's 14 newcomers get a tune-up against Bryant & Stratton
With no minutes returning from last season, Wednesday's visit from a non-Division I opponent is a chance for Dwan McMillan to sort out an entirely rebuilt rotation.
- Expect Wagner to control a non-Division I opponent while McMillan tests lineups built almost entirely from transfers.
- Watch Wagner's backcourt ball security: last season's team turned it over at a rate ranked 338th nationally.
- No spread or total is posted yet; Wagner returns 0.0% of last season's minutes, so last year's profile is a weak guide.
A program starting over
Wagner has turned over nearly everything since last spring. Dwan McMillan took over as interim coach on Oct. 28, 2025, after the school suspended Donald Copeland amid player allegations of abusive behavior in practices. The interim tag came off on April 20, after McMillan guided the Seahawks to the NEC Tournament and a 70-60 road quarterfinal win at Central Connecticut State.
The roster changed even more than the bench did. Wagner brings in 14 newcomers: 10 Division I transfers, two junior college transfers and two true freshmen. Players on this season's roster played 0.0% of last season's minutes. The leading scorer from that 14-17 team, Nick Jones, averaged 14.9 points and is now at New Orleans. NEC coaches still picked Wagner fifth in the preseason poll.
What last season tells us
Last season's numbers describe a different group of players, so treat them as a sketch of McMillan's preferences rather than a forecast. Those Seahawks played slowly, averaging 64 possessions per 40 minutes, 346th of 365 teams. They crashed the glass well, grabbing 33.9% of their own misses (offensive rebound rate), 82nd nationally.
The weak spot was ball security. Wagner coughed it up on 19.7% of possessions, 338th in the country. Whether a new set of guards fixes that is the most useful thing to learn on Wednesday. Last season's final adjusted net efficiency, a points-per-100-possessions margin adjusted for opponents, ranked 299th.
The newcomers to watch
No transfer arrives as a proven high-usage scorer, so the pecking order is open. Wagner also lost Eddie Placer, who made 38.1% of his threes last season. Taj Bryant, a junior guard from Sacred Heart, played 14.1 minutes a game there. Senior center Youssouf Singaré shot 68.2% from the floor at High Point in a small role.
The visit from Bryant & Stratton, a non-Division I program, falls amid a demanding nonconference slate that includes road games at Boston College, Miami and UConn. The opener at Boston College comes Tuesday, Nov. 3, so Wagner should have one real test behind it by tipoff.
Key players
- Cam Estevez (Wagner): Shot 40.6% from three at Fairfield last season, the best mark among Wagner's incoming guards.
- Taj Bryant (Wagner): Averaged 14.1 minutes and 3.2 rebounds at Sacred Heart last season.
- Youssouf Singaré (Wagner): Converted 68.2% of his shots at High Point last season in a reserve role.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 0.0% | No player on Wagner's roster logged minutes for the Seahawks last season. |
|---|---|---|
| Newcomers | 14 | Ten Division I transfers, two junior college transfers and two freshmen make up the new group. |
| Last season's turnover rate rank | 338th | Ball security was Wagner's biggest flaw last season and the first thing the new guards must address. |
| Last season's pace | 64 | Possessions per 40 minutes, 346th nationally, a sign McMillan's teams like to grind. |
Bryant & Stratton vs Wagner: quick answers
When is Bryant & Stratton vs Wagner?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.