College Basketball Conference Preview #5 - Patriot League
The 2024-25 College Basketball Season will be one to remember for each team in the Patriot League. Look for Colgate to set the pace and finish in 1st place in the Conference. The Raiders welcome back two starters in senior guard Nicolas Louis-Jacques and junior guard Brady Cummins. Senior center Jeff Woodward and sophomore guards Jalen Cox and Parker Jones - all returning reserves - will also be key contributors for a team that is looking to make it to eight straight Conference Championship Games which would be a Patriot League record. Boston University returns all five starters and will be led by senior guards Miles Brewster and Ethan Okwuosa. If the Terriers can get solid contributions from several experienced returnees such as junior forwards Otto Landrum and Nico Nobili - two other returning starters - and senior forward Malcolm Chimezie - a returning reserve - they can challenge the Patriot League elite on a nightly basis this winter. I predict Boston University to finish in 2nd place this season. American brings back four starters - most notably senior forward Matt Rogers and senior guard Elijah Stephens. Look for senior guard Colin Smalls and junior guard Geoff Sprouse to have breakout campaigns this season as well. Expect strong contributions from sophomore forward Matt Mayock and senior guard Lincoln Ball - the other returning starters. If the Eagles can stay healthy they will be a tough out each night when Conference play begins. I predict American to finish in 3rd place in the final Conference Standings. Lehigh looks to build on last season's 6th place finish and appearance in the Patriot League Tournament Championship Game. The Mountain Hawks bring back three starters and will be led by senior guard Tyler Whitney-Sidney and junior forward Bube Momah. Keep an eye on senior guard Keith Higgins, Jr. and sophomore guards Cam Gillus and Nasir Whitlock - all returning reserves - along with sophomore guard Joshua Ingram - the final returning starter - as all four will play big roles this season. I predict Lehigh to finish in 4th place in the final Conference Standings. Bucknell brings back four starters and will be led by junior center Noah Williamson and senior guard Elvin Edmonds IV. The Bison do return several veterans including senior guard Josh Bascoe and junior forward Ruot Bijiek - both returning starters - along with senior forwards Ian Motta and Pip Ajayi - both returning reserves. Can Bucknell duplicate last year's success? It will be difficult but not impossible. The Bison will need large contributions from several newcomers - most notably junior guard Achile Spadone (Davidson transfer) - to win the Patriot League in 2024-25. I predict Bucknell to finish in 5th place this season.
Navy welcomes back four starters and will be led by junior guard Austin Benigni and junior forward Donovan Draper. The Midshipmen will need solid production from their bench including junior forward Mike Woods and senior guard Lysander Rehnstrom - both returning reserves - along with senior guard Mac MacDonald and senior forward Mitch Fischer - the other returning starters - to have a chance to finish in the top half of the Patriot League this season. I predict they will come up slightly short and finish in 6th place this season. Lafayette returns three starters in senior guard Devin Hines, senior center Justin Vander Baan, and sophomore guard Mark Butler from a team that handed Colgate its first Patriot League home loss in over three years. Can the Leopards take the next step this season? They will also rely on senior guard TJ Berger, junior guard Ryan Pettit, and senior forward Chris Rubayo - all returning reserves. Look for senior guard Luka Savicevic and sophomore guard Joshua Wyche - the other returning reserves - to be solid contributors as well as provide leadership. If several experienced returnees provide solid support then Lafayette could be a dark horse in the Patriot League. I predict Lafayette to finish in 7th place this season. Holy Cross brings back three starters and will lean on senior forward Caleb Kenney and junior guard Will Batchelder. Keep an eye on sophomore guards Kahlil Singleton and DeAndre Williams - both returning reserves - along with sophomore guard Joe Nugent - the final returning starter - to make immediate impacts this season for the Crusaders. Head Coach Dave Paulsen enters his 2nd season with moderate expectations but will expect to see improvement from his young team on the court this season. I predict Holy Cross to finish in 8th place in the final Conference Standings. Army West Point returns three starters and will be led by sophomore forward Josh Scovens and sophomore guard Ryan Curry. The Black Knights will look to several experienced returnees as well in senior guard Blake Barker and senior forward AJ Allenspach - both returning reserves - along with senior guard TJ Small - the final returning starter. Expect junior guard Jaden Ellis and senior guard Isaiah Caldwell - both returning reserves - to also play big roles this season. I predict the Black Knights to finish in 9th place in the final Conference Standings. Loyola (Md.) hopes to fight their way back to the top of the Patriot League but last finished with a overall winning record in the 2012-13 season. The Greyhounds return two starters in senior forward Milos Ilic and senior guard David Brown III. Loyola (Md.) will need senior guard Chris Kuzemka, junior guard Tyson Commander, and sophomore guard Jordan Stiemke - all returning reserves - to put up big numbers as well. I predict Loyola (Md.) to finish in 10th place this season. Regardless of which team wins the Conference Tournament it will be a great season in the Patriot League. Enjoy all of the games!
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