2024 Patriot League Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The Patriot League Tournament.

The Patriot League Tournament begins on Tuesday with opening round action, followed by the quarterfinals. Of course, that means the favorite, Colgate, will begin their quest for a fifth title in six years. The Raiders have been on a tear and with a 16-2 conference record, don’t seem to be slowing down at all.

Still, some teams are entering the tournament playing hot and despite their record, the Raiders did have some close calls. Still, it will take everything from a team to upset them.

2024 Patriot League Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Braeden Smith, Colgate

Freshman of the Year: Kyrone Alexander, Boston University

Transfer of the Year: Luka Savicevic, Lafayette

Coach of the Year: Matt Langel, Colgate

First Team:

• G: Elijah Stephens, American (12.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG)
• G: Braeden Smith, Colgate (12.2 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 SPG)
• G: Jack Forrest, Bucknell (16.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 37.6 3P%)
• F: Matt Rogers, American (16.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 50.4 FG%, 36.9 3P%)
• F: Keegan Records, Colgate (11.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 BPG, 55.3 FG%)

Second Team:

• G: Deon Perry, Loyola-MD (17.2 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 34.6 3P%)
• G: Austin Benigni, Navy (16.6 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.9 RPG)
• G: Tyler Whitney-Sidney, Lehigh (15.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• G: Joe Octave, Holy Cross (14.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.8 APG)
• C: Noah Williamson, Bucknell (11.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 BPG)

Patriot League Tournament Simulation

First Round – Tues., Mar. 5

7. Navy (12-17, 8-10) vs. 10. Loyola-MD (7-24, 5-13) – 6 p.m. on ESPN+

Believe it or not, Navy lost at home to the Greyhounds, but got them back a few weeks later, starting a four-game winning streak heading into the Patriot League Tournament. Of course, Deon Perry is a player to watch, in case he goes berzerk and drops 25-30 points, but the Midshipmen are still the better overall team.

Mat’s pick: 7. Navy

8. Army (10-21, 6-12) vs. 9. Holy Cross (9-22, 6-12) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+

Only two teams average fewer points per game than Army, which is a serious concern heading into any game they play. Now, they swept the Crusaders in the regular season, but enter in on a four-game losing streak. The Black Knights also rely on two freshmen to lead them in scoring. In tournament action, I like Joe Octave and Holy Cross.

Mat’s pick: 9. Holy Cross

Quarterfinals – Thur., Mar. 7

1. Colgate (22-9, 16-2) vs. 9. Holy Cross – TBD on ESPN+

Colgate only suffered two losses in league action and you can rest assured one of them was not Holy Cross. In fact, the Raiders beat them by 30 and 19 points respectively. In the first matchup, they hit a dozen threes and grabbed 41 rebounds. In the next meeting, they shot 53.4% from the field. It’s kind of like a pick your poison. No matter how, Colgate is winning this game.

Mat’s pick: Colgate

4. American (16-15, 10-8) vs. 5. Bucknell (13-18, 10-8) – TBD on ESPN+

The Eagles swept the season series, but the Bison can’t be taken lightly after turning around a 3-10 conference start to finish above .500 in Patriot League play. They’ve also rattled off three straight wins and have a good paint presence in 7-footer Noah Williamson. Let’s go with the small upset!

Mat’s pick: Bucknell

3. Lafayette (11-20, 10-8) vs. 6. Lehigh (12-17, 9-9) – TBD on ESPN+

A 3-seed with 11 overall wins? That’s unfortunately the state of most of the Patriot League Tournament this year. While Lehigh isn’t much better, they are one of the better scoring teams in the conference, averaging 72.8 PPG compared to Lafayette’s 62.9 PPG. The Mountain Hawks also took both games – including a double overtime thriller in their first clash. I’m sticking with that pattern. Plus, the Leopards have lost five of their last six games.

Mat’s pick: 6. Lehigh

2. Boston University (15-16, 10-8) vs. 7. Navy

Speaking about streaks, Boston U has won five games in a row heading into this year’s Patriot League Tournament. That’s exactly how you want to be playing heading into the conference tournament. In fact, it all started with a win over Navy and the offense has really been clicking with an 82-point and 94-point outing. Give me the Terriers!

Mat’s pick: 2. Boston University

Semifinals – Sun. Mar. 10

1. Colgate vs. 5. Bucknell – 2/4 p.m. on CBSSN

Another team Colgate swept in the regular season (which is just about every team), Bucknell has a chance if they can get their threes to fall. The Bison shoot more trifectas than any team in the Patriot League, which is surprising considering that’s Colgate’s game. Still, the Raiders lead the conference in rebounds, assists, and blocks per game, so you need to be the perfect team to slow them down. Bucknell has too many flaws for me to seriously consider a massive upset.

Mat’s pick: 1. Colgate

2. Boston University vs. 6. Lehigh – 2/4 p.m. on CBSSN

Lehigh leads the Patriot League in steals per game, which is one area to place close attention to. In their two regular season matchups, BU had 12 and 15 turnovers. They won both, but if the Terriers turn the ball over like that again, the Mountain Hawks will have a field day.

Mat’s pick: 6. Lehigh

Championship – Wed. Mar. 13

1. Colgate vs. 6. Lehigh – 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN

Can Lehigh go all the way? For what it’s worth, they only lost by three points to Colgate in both contests this year. That’s probably a little too close for comfort and a team the Raiders really wish they didn’t have to see again this season. Still, it’s hard to bet against Matt Langel and his Raiders in the Patriot League Tournament. They have a dynasty in Hamilton, N.Y. and it’s not stopping now.

Mat’s pick: 1. Colgate