Busting Brackets
Fansided

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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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Tucker Richardson #15 of the Colgate Raiders reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Tucker Richardson #15 of the Colgate Raiders reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Boston University

As a BU student who has covered the team for going on four years, I’m frankly surprised I have the Terriers ranked so high.

Senior forward Max Mahoney (16.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG) is as consistent as Patriot League bigs get. Losing Tyler Scanlon (13.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.3 APG) to Belmont as a graduate transfer is a tough loss, but the return of Walter Whyte should help the wound. A 6-foot-6 wing, Whyte was an All-Rookie team pick before missing last season due to injury. He should be healthy from the jump and improve upon his 9.3 point per game mark.

Javante McCoy (12.1 PPG), a junior, is another tough matchup. Sophomores Alex Vilarino (6.8 PPG) and Jonas Harper (5.2 PPG, .466 3FG%) stabilize the backcourt.

1. Colgate

Jordan Burns (16.3 PPG, 5.5 APG) is the best player in the league. The junior guard erupted for 32 points in the NCAA Tournament game against Tennessee, and if it wasn’t for injury, it would’ve been on the all-league first team. The electric guard is flanked by reigning Player of the Year Rapolas Ivauskas (15.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG) and senior forward Will Rayman (13.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG).

Next. Top 25 programs of all time. dark

Reigning Rookie of the Year Tucker Richardson (8.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.8 APG) displayed poise and promise. He should only improve. Sophomore guard Jack Ferguson is a perfect shooter off the bench.

It doesn’t look like anyone will stop the Raiders.