2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Colgate
Best Overall Player: Matt Rogers, AU
Best Shooter: Matt Rogers, AU
Best Defenseman: Noah Williamson, BUCK
Sleeper Team (Conference): Lehigh
Sleeper Team (March): Colgate
BU Forward Otto Landrum; BU Athletics
1. Boston Terriers
2023 Record: 16-17
The Terriers were terribly average on both sides of the ball in 2023, posting the 7th most efficient offense and 6th most efficient defense in the Patriot League. All five starters return including leading scorer Myles Brewster (the only Terrier to average in the double figures last season) and big Otto Landrum, a probable breakout candidate. The Terriers were the Patriot League’s most efficient stealing defense and rebounded offensively at a serviceable 26.5% — expect advanced metrics to take a significant leap as BU returns one of the most experienced teams in the nation.
2. Colgate Raiders
2023 Record: 25-10
One of the 2020’s most prolific mid-major dynasties returns just two starters and under 40 points per game as coach Matt Langel will look to reload with homegrown talent — abstaining from the portal all together. The Raiders were the Patriot League’s top overall team on both sides of the ball in 2023, shooting nearly 40% from three and 55% from inside the arc, but struggled tremendously on the offensive boards and were out rebounded in seven of its ten losses. Returning guard Brady Cummins will be the offensive catalyst early as Colgate looks to put together another Patriot League Championship.
3. American Eagles
2023 Record: 16-16
The Eagles return two central pieces of its offensive success to a top-heavy team looking to dethrone Colgate atop of the Patriot League. Patriot League Player of the Year candidate Matt Rogers and his 16.3 points per game will be joined along with four other starters and Elijah Stevens’ electric style to form one of the most dangerous offenses in the conference. The Eagles struggled on the defensive end last season, however, particularly defending the three ball. Solid frontcourt rebounding down low and a continuation of its tempo-controlling style will be essential for the Eagles if they intend on contending for a Patriot League Championship.
4. Lehigh Mountainhawks
2023 Record: 14-18
A trio of scoring threats return to Bethlehem for the Mountainhawks as coach Brett Reed’s team looks to build off a Patriot League title game appearance last March. Dynamic guard Tyler Whitney-Sidney will be paired with Keith Higgins Jr. and Cam Gillus in the backcourt, a unit looking to improve on its abysmal 30% three point shooting performance from last year. In the paint Lehigh returns top-rebounder Bube Momah who will look to evolve into a primary option for the league’s fastest paced offense. With more than half of its starting lineup returning, it is not unreasonable to think Lehigh will again contend for a Patriot League Championship.
5. Bucknell Bison
2023 Record: 14-19
Coach John Griffin assembled one of the oldest lineups in the conference after contending with juggernaut Colgate in the conference semi-finals last year. Four starters return, including guard Elvin Edmonds IV and giant Noah Williamson down low. The duo combines for seven years of starting experience at the D-I level and will be among the conference’s best. Bucknell’s sticky defense was its backbone in 2023 and will look to improve on its 98.3 defensive efficiency with over 80% of production returning in 2024.
6. Navy Midshipmen
2023 Record: 13-18
Do-it-all guard Austin Benigini returns and will garner much of the attention following his league-leading 17 points per game last season. Four starters return to an experienced team looking to contend in the upper half of the Patriot League after a nine point loss in the Patriot League quarterfinals last season. Donovan Draper led the conference in double-doubles and will take attention away from Benigini, but the help around the two proven playmakers is scarce. Finding a reliable third option will be the Midshipmen’s top priority ahead of 2024.
7. Army Black Knights
2023 Record: 10-22
The Black Knights finished tied for second to last in the Patriot League after recording its worst win-loss record in 18 years. The top three scorers return, however, which include Josh Scovens and TJ Small. Army was one of the country’s worst free throw shooting teams in 2023 and struggled tremendously on the offensive side of the ball, especially inside the arc. Improving rebounding and giving its dynamic guards second chances at buckets will be paramount for Army as Kevin Kuwik enters his second season.
8. Holy Cross Crusaders
2023 Record: 10-23
The Crusaders had, analytically, one of the worst defenses in the nation last season and ranked dead last in adjusted defensive efficiency and three point percentage allowed. Holy Cross has also finished with a losing record for a decade straight, something coach Dave Paulsen looks to fix with three point specialists littered throughout the lineup. Caleb Kenney returns and offers immediate defensive help but Holy Cross needs to find its identity down low if it wishes to have any success in 2024.
9. Lafayette Leopards
2023 Record: 11-21
A year after making its run to the Patriot League Championship game, the Leopards slipped to ten games below .500 and lost over half of its production. This year, Lafayette returns three starters, including feisty guard Devin Hines and seven-footer Justin Vander Baan down low. Lafayette’s tough defensive outfit helped but a lack of offensive firepower hindered any kind of contenting status in Easton.
10. Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds
2023 Record: 7-25
The Greyhounds were the Patriot League’s worst team by winning percentage in 2023, winning just seven games and averaging the most turnovers per game of all ten conference teams. Still, Loyola-MD was the best rebounding team in the Patriot League last season, and it returns big man Milos Ilic down low. The Greyhounds lack any presence in the backcourt and will more than likely struggle from behind the arc once again behind coach Josh Loeffler.