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Patriot League Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and prediction

By Daniel Benjamin

Colgate Raiders players celebrate during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, March 19, 2021, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Colgate Raiders players celebrate during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, March 19, 2021, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriot League Andrew Funk Bucknell Bison (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Patriot League Andrew Funk Bucknell Bison (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Projecting the winners

March 1 – First-round games

No. 10 American at No. 7 Holy Cross, 7 p.m. ESPN+

This game features two of the least offensive teams in the league. Holy Cross has the 2022 Patriot League ROY Kyrell Luc and all-conference second-team selection Gerrelle Gates on the roster. But the Crusaders don’t shoot the ball well and struggle on the defensive end. They are also very young and small. Holy Cross closed the season, losing five of its last six games, including four straight at home.

American went 3-3 down the stretch, including a 60-54 victory over Holy Cross. The Eagles struggle shooting from deep and with turnovers, but they defend the 3-point line well and don’t foul. They go nine deep, and six players average at least five points during conference play. American is 2-0 versus Holy Cross this year overall.

Prediction: American 64, Holy Cross 58

No. 9 Bucknell at No. 8 Lafayette, 7 p.m. ESPN+

This matchup has all the makings to be a fantastic contest. The teams split their two regular-season contests, each winning in overtime at home. Lafayette is the better defensive team, and they are at home. Bucknell has only won one game on the road all season. The Bison have been involved in five overtime games.

Keys to the game: Keeping opponent off the free-throw line, defensive rebounding, and turnovers.

Prediction: Lafayette 85, Bucknell 80

Quarterfinals

March 3, with all games set to tip at 7 p.m. (ET)

LaFayette at Colgate 

Colgate is a well-oiled machine playing its best basketball of the season. The Raiders have won 12 of 13 at home this year and defeated Lafayette both times during the regular season. Pr

Prediction: Colgate by 10

Army at Lehigh

Army and Lehigh split their two matchups during the regular team, with the home team winning by double-figures in both contests. This game has the potential to be a pretty good game. The winner could be the team that gets the key stop.

Prediction: Lehigh by 3

Loyola (MD) at Boston University 

BU has a chance to win the league championship while the Greyhounds have dropped eight of their last 10 games, including five straight on the road. The Terriers and Greyhounds split their two regular-season games, with each team winning on the other’s home court.

Prediction: BU by five

Lafayette at Navy 

The Midshipmen averaged nearly 68 points in their two games against the Leopards, winning each contest by at least 13 points. Navy won the home contest by 24.

Prediction: Navy by 15

Semi-finals March 6, 2 p.m./4 p.m. CBS Sports Network

Lehigh at Colgate

Prediction: Colgate by 10.

Boston U. at Navy

Prediction: BU by 2

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Finals 

Boston U. at Colgate

The Raiders have been the most consistent team in the league and should win a very entertaining and close contest.

Prediction: Colgate by 4