Patriot League basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament preview

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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Bill Carmody of the Holy Cross Crusaders reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on November 15, 2016 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Predictions: First round and quarterfinals (Campus sites)

*Numbers represent seeds of the teams

First round:

7) Lafayette vs. 10) American

Lafayette won the first two battles, although the method of winning was different. One was a shootout, while the other came in a defensive struggle. But the common point is that the Leopards were victorious. Unless Nelson goes off for American, the Eagles just simply don’t have enough.

Prediction: Lafayette

8) Loyola (MD) vs. 9) Army

These teams split their regular season battles, with leading scorer Andre Walker of Loyola averaging 21 ppg in those games. Neither team has any momentum, with the Greyhounds losing their last five games, while Army has dropped the last six.

Prediction: Loyola

Quarterfinals

1) Bucknell vs. 8) Loyola

In the regular season games between the two, the differences in the wins were 41 and eight points. Here’s the problem for the Greyhounds – the game will be at Bucknell, the home of that beatdown. Think we know hoe this one ends.

Prediction: Bucknell

4) Lehigh vs. 5) Boston University

This game will depend on which Lehigh team shows up. Will it be the one that started 3-7 and gave up 92 points in a loss to the Terriers? Or will it be the Mountain Hawks squad that gave up 75 to Boston in a win, which was one of eight straight wins to end the regular season? The momentum to too strong to deny for this team.

Prediction: Lehigh

2) Colgate vs. 7) Lafayette

Colgate fans will be rooting hard for American to upset Lafayette in the first round. Not just because the Leopards are the better team, but that they actually swept Colgate in the regular season. This key to this game will be defense, something that the Raiders have been better compared too Lafayette as of late.

Prediction: Colgate

3) Navy vs. 6) Holy Cross

The Midshipmen have been on a roll as of late, winning seven of nine games. One of those wins was a thumping of the Crusaders, holding them to just 34 points all game. But this is the same Holy Cross program that went on the immaculate run a couple of years ago, so an upset is very possible. But this is simply a bad matchup for them against a good Navy team.

Prediction: Navy