The Patriot League is one of those mid-major conferences that sometimes slips under the cracks at least until this time of year. The ten programs in the league represent longtime institutions of excellence in New England, though not exactly major names in the college basketball world. As they begin their latest conference tournament, hosted at campus sites, there’s a refreshing excitement in the air.
That excitement stems from the competitiveness expected in the coming week in this field. The Patriot League has been dominated by Colgate for more than half a decade, but the Raiders are just the 3-seed and may see their dominance come to an end. After all, Colgate has represented the conference in the last five NCAA Tournaments and had won six straight regular season crowns before this season.
A lot more of that focus turns towards Bucknell and American, the two teams who tied at 13-5 for the regular season crown. Both programs are helmed by second-year head coaches who have their programs trending in great directions. The Bison jump back in competitiveness after a few down years as the top-seed while American took a major step forwards in year two under Duane Simpkins.
Colgate was actually one of four teams that tied for 3rd place at 10-8 in the league, meaning more than half the conference was within three games of each other. Anything can happen in this tournament ahead and it’ll be an exciting display with important homecourt advantage likely making a difference.
Players to Watch
There’s talent among the Patriot League teams, though we’re looking at just a few of those names that could make a major impact in the days ahead.
Josh Bascoe – Bucknell
Establishing himself as the best point guard in the Patriot League, Bascoe played a major role in Bucknell’s rise to the top of the conference in his senior year with the Bison. His numbers tell most of the story, averaging 15.7 points and 4.4 assists per game, leading the league in that figure. Bascoe has made 39% of his 3-pointers and has been hot in recent weeks, dropping 30 a few weeks ago against Army.
Austin Benigni – Navy
Where would the Midshipmen be this season without what Benigni has brought on the court? The 5’11 junior guard averages 18.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, leading the Patriot League in both scoring and free throw percentage with efficient and excellent play. If Navy makes a run, Bengini is spearheading the efforts, nearly doubling the output of each of his teammates.
Matt Rogers – American
Likely to earn league honors for a third season, Rogers has maintained his footing as the top scorer and a major playmaker at American. He’s putting up 17.2 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, while his 56% field goal percent leads the conference among qualified players. The Eagles fare well when he’s on his game, including his 20-point performance last time out in a win over Colgate.
Jeff Woodward – Colgate
A major contributor in his fifth year with the Raiders, Woodward is finally Colgate’s starting center and had a very efficient season. He averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and made 64% of his field goal attempts. Woodward did miss time earlier in the year but he’s healthy and a menace for an experienced Raiders squad.
Bracketology
Despite being a part of the last five NCAA Tournaments, Colgate didn’t win any games, though they were within 7 points of Tennessee in 2019 and Wisconsin in 2022. The Raiders were always 14 or 15-seeds, though there may not be a similar fate for this year’s champion.
The results are rather poor for this conference as a whole despite that competitive. It’s pretty likely that the champion will be handed a 16-seed, though perhaps that could still bring a win to the Patriot League if they are set to the First Four. That’s the unfortunate truth for the whole league, as Bucknell owns the best NET at just 206.
Predictions
First Round
#10 Holy Cross at #7 Lafayette (March 4, 8:00pm)
Lafayette has been a bit better than Holy Cross this season, though the Crusaders only win in the last four weeks happens to be against those Leopards. Regardless, things have looked a bit sharper over at Lafayette and we’re expecting them to win at home like they did in early January.
Lafayette wins
#9 Lehigh at #8 Loyola (March 4, 8:00pm)
The Greyhounds won each of the first two matchups, though both came way back in January. These teams are a little different nearly two months later, with Loyola in particular struggling down the stretch outside of a win over Colgate. Winning three games over one team is difficult, but they’ll handle the Mountain Hawks at home.
Loyola wins
Quarterfinals
#8 Loyola at #1 Bucknell (March 6, 8:00pm)
It’s hard to see Bucknell getting toppled in their first outing in the postseason but stranger things have happened. The Bison did win at Loyola just last week and should take care of business, riding a six-game winning streak that has them in great shape.
Bucknell wins
#5 Navy at #4 Boston University (March 6, 8:00pm)
Strangely enough, neither of the first two matchups between these teams were close, with both teams winning by at least 15 points. While the game is in Boston, the Midshipmen have been playing pretty great basketball down the stretch and have the hot hand. We’re picking an upset on the road as long as they clean up a defense that faltered against the Terriers a few weeks back.
Navy wins
#6 Army at #3 Colgate (March 6, 8:00pm)
The Colgate streak can’t end like this on a Thursday night quarterfinal right? The Raiders haven’t played the best ball down the stretch this season, splitting their games with Army, but the Black Knights looked pretty bad in the final weeks of the regular season. Neither defense is spectacular, but take Colgate in defending their home court.
Colgate wins
#7 Lafayette at #2 American (March 6, 8:00pm)
We’ll see American in action against a Lafayette team they swept in a pair of close contests. The Eagles have been hot and cold recently with their shooting but they should have enough firepower to hang on against Lafayette at home and keep this great season alive.
American wins
Semifinals
#5 Navy at #1 Bucknell (March 9, TBD)
The two hottest teams in the Patriot League meet in what should be a highly-anticipated game. Bucknell took the first two contests but that doesn’t guarantee anything, even at home. The Midshipmen are leaning heavily on Benigni as we mentioned earlier but Bucknell just has better overall depth and talent and will ride to the title game.
Bucknell wins
#3 Colgate at #2 American (March 9, TBD)
This past Saturday saw a brilliant performance as American won at Colgate for a season sweep over the Raiders. Winning a third time in a single season over the perennial league champions won’t come easy, but we’re picking the Eagles to end the streak, with their brilliant talent and home court advantage getting them over the hump.
American wins
Finals
#2 American at #1 Bucknell (March 12, 8:00pm)
There’s plenty of underrated talent in the Patriot League but the excellent matchup of the top two teams just feels right in this title game. Both Bucknell and American have been playing inspired ball down the stretch and actually split a pair of games that weren’t super close, including a 22-point Bucknell win at home.
Can they repeat that feat just over a month later? Whichever team can settle into a groove and make shots early has the best chance, with the Bison really thriving in that matchup in early February. Things are different, even with Bucknell on a hot streak, and we’re taking something of an upset here, with American upending the Bison for their first title in eleven years.
American wins the Patriot League Tournament