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Loyola (MD) vs Colgate: 2021 Patriot League finals game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 18, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Colgate Raiders guard Jordan Burns (1) takes a shot as Auburn Tigers guard J’Von McCormick (5) defends during the first half at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Colgate Raiders guard Jordan Burns (1) takes a shot as Auburn Tigers guard J’Von McCormick (5) defends during the first half at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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The best team and arguably the best player in the Patriot League face-off. Will Loyola (MD) or Colgate get the ticket to the NCAA Tournament?

TV schedule: Sunday, March 14, 12:00 pm ET. CBSSN

Arena: Cotterell Court, Hamilton, NY

When it came to dealing with the 2020-21 season during an ongoing pandemic, each conference had the choice on how to operate. All of the top leagues were business as usual, while the Ivy League opted to not have a season at all. The Patriot League made the move to effectively move to conference play only, starting in January and having divisions, where the same teams would play each other up to six times in the regular season.

It created unique dynamics all around, mainly with the Colgate Raiders (13-1, 11-1). Due to several blowout victories and other hard-to-state factors with the NET rankings, Colgate has been ranked in the top-10, which has been a storyline this season. Of course, no matter what the NET has them, the Raiders much win the Patriot League Tournament to go dancing.

And so far, so good. The No. 1 seed Raiders defeated Boston University in the quarterfinals and scored 105 points in a 30-point win over Bucknell in the semifinals to get to the championship game. They’re second in the country in scoring at 86.4 ppg, with four players averaging at least 11.0 ppg. Colgate has a star guard in senior Jordan Burns, who averages 17.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 5.4 apg and played a big role in the team making the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

Their opponent is a surprise team in Loyola (MD), who is 6-10 overall and 4-10 in league play. Things started out rough for the Greyhounds, going 1-7. But almost all of them were one-possession games, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise what they were capable of the rest of the way.

And they’ve shown it in this tournament, upsetting both Navy and Army to make the title game. Star sophomore Santi Aldama has shown up in a big way, going for 33 points and 12 rebounds in the win over the Black Knights. On the season, the 6’11 forward is averaging a whopping 21.8 ppg and 10.3 rpg.

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Because of the conference schedule structure, these two teams didn’t play one another this season. Had they met earlier in January, Colgate would’ve blown Loyola (MD) off the floor. But this is a different Greyhound squad, with an individual in Aldama capable of taking over and pulling off the upset. But Burns can do that as well. And with a stronger supporting cast and a roster full of upperclassmen, I have the Raiders getting one more win this weekend.

Prediction: Colgate 80, Loyola (MD) 67