This is an important week for the eight teams remaining in the Patriot League Tournament field–the winner of the event earns the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament beginning later this month.
Colgate is the top seed and won the conference regular season by six games over nearest rivals Navy and Lehigh. The Raiders regular season championship doesn’t earn them an automatic bid, and they’ll have their hands full with the Midshipmen and Mountain Hawks.
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Loyola Maryland Greyhounds vs. Colgate Raiders 7:00 pm
Loyola Maryland is a +16 point away underdog with a 145-point total when the conference rivals meet Thursday at Cotterell Court.
Colgate was 17-1 in conference play, and they have the best offense and the 3rd best defense. The Raiders are conference champs for the fourth time in five seasons and broke their conference win record. Loyola Maryland has won five of its last six and outscored its average in each of those victories.
𝗧𝗨𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗪𝗢@tuckrich24 becomes the first player in Patriot League history to complete the major awards trifecta.
▪️Rookie of the Year (2018-19)
▪️Player of the Year (2022-23)
▪️Defensive Player of the Year (2022-23)#GoGate | #PatriotMBB pic.twitter.com/PqrDHtVHla— Colgate Men's Basketball (@ColgateMBB) February 27, 2023
The total for this game is too low. Both schools are above-average shooters from downtown, and neither side defends the triple well. Colgate runs its offense like a machine, makes few mistakes, and they will score against the Greyhounds.
Neither team gets to the line much, but this should be a free-flowing game with plenty of buckets and ends with over 145 points.
Phil’s Bets Bet: Loyola Maryland Over 145 -110 Caesars
American University Eagles vs. Navy Midshipmen 7:00 pm
American University is a +9 away underdog with a 127-point total when the schools meet Thursday at Alumni Hall.
This game will be a battle decided in the paint–American is No. 1 in the conference in effective field goal percentage against the league’s best defense.
Navy has the one-two punch of Daniel Deaver and Tyler Nelson, while American has Matt Rogers and Johnny O’Neill. These big boys are used to getting their way in the paint, and we should expect a physical game.
https://twitter.com/NavyBasketball/status/1630330271718334464?s=20
The Midshipmen have the 3rd best offense against a lousy Eagles defense and will get more than their fair share of points.
Navy has the best defense, but American has a high effective field goal percentage, and O’Neill is one of the best three-point shooters in the conference. These sides will score the basketball, and Caesars’ number is off.
Phil’s Best Bet: American Over 127 -110 Caesars
Boston University Terriers vs. Army Black Knights 6:00 pm
Army is a -3.5 favorite with a 138.5 point total when the two sides meet at 6:00 pm at Christl Arena.
Army shoots the ball extremely well from inside and outside the arc-Boston University isn’t a good shooting team but has won three straight and has outscored their average in two of the last three.
Terriers forward Walter Whyte and Army guard Jalen Rucker have two of the highest usage rates in the conference and will compete.
𝙀𝘽𝙊 𝙭 🎥
A look back at Ethan Roberts dominant offensive season on his way to @PatriotLeague Rookie of the Year!#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/1zUfSL0X8j
— Army Men's Basketball (@ArmyWP_MBB) February 28, 2023
The Black Knights will have vengeance on their minds after losing to the Terriers at West Point just two weeks ago.
They have a better offense with three players who can score the basketball and play at home. The Terriers have been scoring the basketball, and the only chance they’ll have to win is to outscore Army. They’ve played twice and exceeded the oddsmakers’ total in both, and they’ll go Over 138.5 Thursday night.
Phil’s Best Bet: Boston University Over 138.5 -110 Caesars
Lafayette Leopards vs Lehigh Mountain Hawks 7:00 pm
Lafayette is a +3.5 away underdog with a 127.5 point total when they meet Thursday at Stabler Arena.
We have contrasting styles of play in this matchup-the slow-paced Leopards shoot the ball late in the clock while the Hawks like to get down the floor and get their shots up early.
Leopards forward Josh Rivera has been electric for Lafayette and is 4th in the conference in usage. Hawks guard Tyler Whitney-Sydney is top five in the league in usage, and Lehigh has won both contests this season.
Terrific trio & season for @LehighMBB https://t.co/0tWmBvTJBr
— MO CASSARA (@COACH_MOCASSARA) February 28, 2023
The 127.5 points are too many. Lafayette takes so long to shoot the ball, and Lehigh can slow Rivera down with a conference-best perimeter defense that can shut down the Leopards’ three-point threats.
Lehigh wins games on the defensive end of the floor and plays at home against the less experienced Leopards–the home crowd gives the Eagles an edge, and this game ends Under Caesars’ total.
Phil’s Best Bet: Lehigh Under 127.5 -110 Caesars
