Patriot League Tournament Preview originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Patriot League had quite the year leading up to their season-ending conference tournament. Aside from the Ivy League, who canceled their season, the Patriot League had one of the most cautious approaches to coronavirus for the college basketball season.
All schools, except the service academies, were not permitted to start their 2020-21 campaign until the calendar shifted to the new year. Once the schools did play, several programs dealt with COVID-19 positive tests within their teams. It led to several postponements across the league, several adjustments by the schedule makers and an odd-looking final standings.
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The PL also broke their league into three divisions to help limit travel. The 10 teams were broken into the North, Central and South where most of a team's contests were to come against those opponents.
With the coronavirus issues, many teams went extended periods without playing games. All the while, Navy (who started playing in November) was in midseason form and Colgate took advantage.
Is this tournament Navy and Colgate's to lose? Or can another team hit their stride in time to steal the championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament?
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PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 2021 INFORMATION:
When is the 2021 Patriot League Tournament?
The Patriot League Tournament will be held March 3, 6, 10 and 14. The Patriot League championship game is on Sunday, March 14.
Where is the 2021 Patriot League Tournament?
The Patriot League Tournament has the higher-seed of each contest hosting the matchup. Teams will progress in a bracket format to determine the hosts for future games.
How to watch the 2021 Patriot League Tournament?
The First Round and Quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Semifinals and Patriot League Championship Game will be broadcast on CBSSN.
Who is the defending 2020 Patriot League Champion?
Boston University won the 2020 Patriot League Championship over Colgate. The Terriers were unable to partake in the NCAA Tournament due to its cancelation.
2021 PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT BRACKET:
Patriot League Tournament First Round (3/3, Times ET)
- No. 7 Boston University d. No. 10 Lehigh 69-58
- No. 9 Loyola Maryland d. No. 8 Holy Cross (Covid-cancelation)
Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals (3/6, Times ET)
- No. 9 Loyola Maryland at No. 1 Navy, 12:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
- No. 7 Boston University vs. No. 2 Colgate, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
- No. 6 Bucknell vs. No. 3 Lafayette, 2:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
- No. 5 American vs. No. 4 Army, 3:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Patriot League Tournament Semifinals (3/10, Times ET)
- TBD at TBD, 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
- TBD at. TBD, 7:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Patriot League Tournament Championship (3/14, Time ET)
- TBD at TBD, 12:00 pm (CBSSN)
PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT 2021 PREVIEW:
Offense vs. defense is the best way to depict the difference between Colgate and Navy. Respectively, both teams lead the league in those categories en route to claiming their division titles.
What makes this season's makeup so interesting is that neither of these two teams met during the regular season. If they do face-off, it will be for the championship title and contrasting styles that create a must-see matchup.
The Midshipmen are led by senior guard Cam Davis. This year has been the best season of his career posting 17.1 points per game as the clear primary playmaker for the team. He also leads the team in assists and in steals. Behind Davis, it's a deep team that will go to 10 players or more where everyone on the roster gets involved.
They're also a team that had a legitimate nonconference stretch, along with Army. Once PL began, they were off to the races.
On the flip side, Colgate has three of the top scorers in the entire league. The Raiders average 85 points a contest, over eight points more than their closest opponent. Their lowest point total of the year? 73. Surely, that's partly why the NET rankings have them as the No. 9 team in the NCAA.
There's only one team that has been able to knock off both teams this year: Army. And due to the setup, not every team was able to play everybody. They're set up to be a darkhorse and have the experience to knock either one of those teams off.
Another team to keep an eye on is Loyola. Even without a favorable seed, they've been in nearly every game they've played. Seven of their 10 losses were by five points or less. Coronavirus has hindered their ability to get into a consistent rhythm throughout the year. Now, with presumably everyone back and healthy, they could do some damage.
PICK: No. 2 Colgate
