Busting Brackets
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Patriot League Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Collin Helwig

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) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 08: Sa’eed Nelson #0 of the American Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 08: Sa’eed Nelson #0 of the American Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Teams to look out for

Team to beat: Colgate

Colgate obviously stands out when addressing the field, having secured a first-round bye heading into the tournament after earning the best conference record. Even upon surrendering a few conference games this season, Colgate still managed to illustrate their superiority, losing by no more than four points whenever dropping a game. Fans certainly owe Coach Langel thanks, as the Raiders also find themselves playing effectively on both ends of the floor, finishing out the year as conference’s top offensive team while staying prominent at the defensive end by forcing the third-lowest field goal percentage upon their opposing teams.

Top Contender: American

Although American most definitely deserves this coveted game off, one should understand that Colgate stands far above them as the undisputed favorite, not only sporting the best record at 14-4 but also owning a 2-0 record against American this year. Where American exceeds at the offensive end, they pay a slight price for it defensively with a less adept approach that ranks them below Navy, Boston University, Lafayette, and Colgate.

With all that said, however, nobody posses a greater threat to Colgate than the Eagles. Locked and loaded with arguably the tournament’s best player in Sa’eed Nelson, expect American to make Colgate bleed if given the chance. Once the calendar switches to March, we often see great players prevail and over great carry their teams beyond expectation, so watch for Nelson to potentially do the same.

Team likeliest to surprise: Lafayette

Despite finishing with fewer wins than BU or Army, Lafayette, however, puts forth a more impressive resumé after sweeping Colgate and snatching a win against American as well. No team smothers shooters like Lafayette either, forcing the lowest field goal percentage upon their opponents amongst all Patriot League teams. These factors alongside head coach Fran O’Hanlon’s experience that now spans over 25 years solidifies the Leopards as a dark horse candidate to win it all.