March in the Patriot League is simple and unforgiving.
Higher seeds host. There is no neutral court. If you earned home floor, you protect it. If you did not, you have to win on the road multiple times.
The 2026 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Championship begins Tuesday, March 3 with first-round games. Quarterfinals are Thursday, March 5. The semifinals take place Sunday, March 8 on CBS Sports Network. The championship game will be played Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network at the home of the highest remaining seed.
Everything is built off the regular season.
Final Patriot League regular-season standings
Conference record first, overall record second:
- Navy Midshipmen: 17-1 25-6
- Lehigh Mountain Hawks: 11-7 15-16
- Colgate Raiders: 11-7 17-14
- Boston University Terriers: 10-8 15-16
- American Eagles: 9-9 16-15
- Loyola Maryland Greyhounds: 8-10 12-19
- Lafayette Leopards: 8-10 11-20
- Bucknell Bison: 6-12 9-22
- Army Black Knights: 5-13 11-20
- Holy Cross Crusaders: 5-13 10-21
It starts with Navy.
The Midshipmen went 17-1 25-6 and separated themselves from the rest of the league. They closed the regular season on a long winning streak and were dominant at home.
The Patriot League bracket is here!
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) February 28, 2026
Navy is your outright champion by SIX full games. Will it be smooth sailing for the Midshipmen into their first NCAA tournament in almost 30 years? pic.twitter.com/gWdqGropwy
First round — Tuesday, March 3
Army Black Knights at Bucknell Bison
Holy Cross Crusaders at Lafayette Leopards
Win and move on. Lose and the season ends.
Quarterfinals — Thursday, March 5
Winner of Army/Bucknell at Navy Midshipmen
American Eagles at Boston University Terriers
Loyola Maryland Greyhounds at Colgate Raiders
Winner of Holy Cross/Lafayette at Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Navy will host in Annapolis and will be the heavy favorite. A 17-1 league record does not happen by accident. They defend, they rebound and they rarely beat themselves.
Lehigh earned the No. 2 seed at 11-7 15-16 and will host its quarterfinal. They have shown they can score in bunches, but consistency will matter.
Colgate, also 11-7 17-14, has tournament experience and enough shooting to flip a game quickly.
Boston University at 10-8 15-16 hosting American at 9-9 16-15 feels like the tightest matchup on the board. Those teams are close statistically and split plenty of similar games this season.
Semifinals — Sunday, March 8
The semifinals will be hosted by the higher remaining seeds and televised on CBS Sports Network.
If seeds hold, it likely sets up:
Navy Midshipmen vs. Boston University Terriers or American Eagles
Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Colgate Raiders
But if there is an upset Thursday, the bracket shifts. The highest remaining seed always hosts.
Championship — Wednesday, March 11
The title game tips March 11 at 7 p.m.
If Navy advances, the championship runs through Annapolis. If someone knocks off the Midshipmen, the site shifts to the next highest seed.
What feels realistic
Navy Midshipmen: 17-1 25-6 are the clear favorite. They have been the most complete team in the league and have protected home floor all year.
Lehigh Mountain Hawks and Colgate Raiders, both 11-7 in conference play, are the most logical challengers. Boston University Terriers and American Eagles are right behind and capable of stealing a semifinal if shots fall.
But this format is demanding. If you are not a top-four seed, you likely need to win twice on the road just to reach the final.
First round March 3. Quarterfinals March 5. Semifinals March 8. Championship March 11.
No neutral site. No easy path.
And right now, everything still goes through Navy.