Colgate Basketball: Revival of Raiders program and the future ahead

Colgate’s basketball future

The Raiders have just recently signed Coach Langel to a contract extension through 2030. Given the abundance of success in recent years, it is hard to believe there weren’t any high major schools calling. The fans of Hamilton, NY must be thrilled that Colgate will keep him around.

Colgate should once again be very competitive in 2022-23. Glue guy Ryan Moffatt, who filled the stat sheet last year with 9.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, and shot over 45% from deep, will be returning for his senior season. The powerful front-court duo of 6’10” Keegan Records (9.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG) and 6’11” Jeff Woodward (6.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG) will also be back next year.

The loss of leading scorer Nelly Cummings (14.7 PPG), who transferred to Pittsburgh, will be hard to replace. They will also lose Jack Ferguson, a staple in the program over the last five seasons, and the program leader for most 3-pointers made. There is hope that Oliver Lynch-Daniels will return for another year to help fill the void of Ferguson’s departure. The 6’2″ guard chipped in 6.8 PPG and made 48 3-pointers at a 54.5% rate, which led the Patriot League.

If 1st-Team All-Patriot League standout Tucker Richardson opts to use his additional year of eligibility granted from the covid season, Colgate could represent the league in the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year in 2023. Richardson was second on the team in scoring and rebounding, while adding 75 3-pointers and leading the Raiders in assists.

Colgate isn’t looking to just return to the big dance though. The goal is for them to now show they can advance in the NCAA Tournament. Fellow Patriot League members Bucknell and Lehigh, sparked by C.J. McCollum, have done so in recent times. The Raiders will need to focus on that “Impossible Is An Opinion” motto once again to prove they are capable of accomplishing just that.

With renovation plans to transform the Reid Athletic Center and upgrade to a new arena, paired with the extended commitment of Coach Langel, this program shouldn’t be slowing down anytime soon. In reality, the pinnacle of Colgate basketball may still be on its way.

Dedicated to Bob Hummel- former Colgate player

I want to give a huge shoutout to my former high school basketball coach, Bob Hummel. He is an alumnus of Colgate University and played for their basketball program from 1976 to 1980. I’ll never forget the story he told me about being on Mike Krzyzewski’s scouting report when he was the head coach at Army.

His Colgate team even beat the Black Knights during the 1978-79 season, so if it wasn’t for him Coach K would have finished his career with 1,203 wins, not 1,202. Anyway, he is the reason I became interested in following Colgate’s basketball program, and he is at the root of inspiration for this article!

I know for a fact that he is extremely proud of the direction Matt Langel has his alma mater headed in and is excited for what the future may hold! Coach, I hope you enjoyed reading this article just as much as I enjoyed playing for you.