Busting Brackets
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Patriot League Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

By Gregory Levinsky

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 24: Jordan Cohen #11 of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks drives against Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half on November 24, 2018 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 24: Jordan Cohen #11 of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks drives against Cartier Diarra #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half on November 24, 2018 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 15: Sa’eed Nelson #0 of the American University Eagles drives to the basket against Logan Routt #31 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on November 15, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 15: Sa’eed Nelson #0 of the American University Eagles drives to the basket against Logan Routt #31 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on November 15, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

8. Lafayette

All but one of the Leopards rotational players return, with junior guards Justin Jaworski (14.6 PPG), a Third-Team All-Patriot League honoree, and Alex Petrie (14.5 PPG) making up a strong backcourt. None of the other returning players averaged close to 10 points per game.

Senior forward Lukas Jarrett raised his game in league play, averaging 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. There just isn’t a whole lot of firepower on this team.

7. American

Sa’eed Nelson (19.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.1 SPG) is now a senior, and the league’s overall most statistically dominant player should be a candidate for league player of the year.

Losing Sam Iorio (13.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG) to Southern Alabama is a tough loss, but the Eagles return some promising complementary players. Junior Stacy Beckton (9.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG) is a candidate for a break out season. Mark Gasperini (10.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG), a senior center and reigning All-Rookie team member Jacob Boonyasith (4.6 PPG) are keys.

6. Army

Senior trio of Tommy Funk (12.6 PPG, 5.9 APG), a Third-Team All-Patriot League selection last year, Matt Wilson (13.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG) and Jordan Fox (8.8 PPG) make up a formidable core. Junior Alex King (7.1 PPG) is a player to watch, as his game is evolving and a 6-foot-8, 200-pound frame is intriguing.

The Black Knights return four starters and should be about .500 in league play.