Patriot League Men's Basketball Notebook (1.15.21)
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – All 10 Patriot League men’s basketball programs will be in action with 10 games this weekend. On Saturday, five League games will be featured on
ESPN+. Four more games will be streamed live on
ESPN+ on Sunday with one contest on CBS Sports Network.
American opens its season at noon on Saturday against undefeated Navy. In North Division play, Boston University hosts Army West Point (1 p.m.) while Holy Cross travels to North Division-leading Colgate (1 p.m.). Lehigh travels to Bucknell for a Central Division tilt at 2 p.m. with Central Division-leading Lafayette hosting Loyola Maryland in its first game of the 2021 campaign.
On Sunday, the Eagles return to Navy for a noon matchup before the Raiders host the Crusaders and the Terriers welcome the Black Knights, both at 1 p.m. The Bison head to Bethlehem, Pa. to play the Mountain Hawks at 4 p.m. The Greyhounds host the Leopards in a nationally televised matchup on CBS Sports Network. Jason Knapp and Mo Cassara will handle the call, with live coverage beginning at 6 p.m.
2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Standings (as of 1.15.21)
| School |
Division |
Patriot League |
Overall |
| NORTH |
|
|
|
| Colgate |
3-1 |
3-1 |
3-1 |
| Army West Point |
2-2 |
2-2 |
6-3 |
| Holy Cross |
2-2 |
2-2 |
2-2 |
| Boston University |
1-3 |
1-3 |
1-3 |
| CENTRAL |
|
|
|
| Lafayette |
3-1 |
3-1 |
3-1 |
| Lehigh |
1-1 |
1-3 |
1-3 |
| Bucknell |
0-2 |
0-4 |
0-4 |
| SOUTH |
|
|
|
| Navy |
0-0 |
4-0 |
7-1 |
| American |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| Loyola Maryland |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
Full Standings and Tiebreakers
How To Watch Patriot League Men’s Basketball This Weekend
Upcoming Schedule (all times EST)
| Saturday, January 16 |
Time |
TV |
| American at Navy |
Noon |
ESPN+ |
| Army West Point at Boston University |
1 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Holy Cross at Colgate |
1 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Lehigh at Bucknell |
2 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Loyola Maryland at Lafayette |
4 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| |
|
|
| Sunday, January 17 |
|
|
| American at Navy |
Noon |
ESPN+ |
| Holy Cross at Colgate |
1 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Army West Point at Boston University |
1 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Bucknell at Lehigh |
4 p.m. |
ESPN+ |
| Lafayette at Loyola Maryland |
6 p.m. |
CBSSN |
| |
|
|
Patriot League Men’s Basketball Composite Schedule
Patriot League Men’s Basketball in 2021 Explained
The Patriot League’s 10 men’s basketball programs are divided into three divisions for the 2021 season. The North Division includes Army West Point, Boston University, Colgate and Holy Cross. The Central Division includes Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh. The South Division includes American, Loyola Maryland and Navy.
The 2021 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Championship will feature a reduced eight-team field. Two teams from each division will receive an automatic berth to the League championship based on their divisional record. Two final teams will qualify for the tournament based on their overall League record. Non-League games will not be considered for tournament qualifications purposes.
Navy and Colgate Recognized in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll
Navy and Colgate are receiving votes in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll that was released on Monday, Jan. 11. The Midshipmen are receiving 14 votes after beginning League play 4-0. Navy is 7-1 with non-League victories over Georgetown and George Washington. Colgate is receiving nine votes after sweeping a weekend series from defending Patriot League Champion Boston University. The Raiders have been led by Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year Jordan Burns, who is averaging 20.5 points and 5.3 assists through four League games.
American and Loyola Maryland to Open Season on Saturday
American and Loyola Maryland will open their 2020-21 seasons on Saturday after both teams missed the first four games of the season due to positive COVID-19 tests within their programs’ Tier 1. Tier 1 is the highest exposure tier and consists of individuals for whom physical distancing and face coverings are not possible or effective during athletic training or competition. Examples of relevant individuals include student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, medical staff, equipment staff and officials.
A Pair of Leopards Among the Nation’s Scoring Leaders
Lafayette senior guards Justin Jaworski and E.J. Stephens are tied for fourth among the NCAA DI Scoring Leaders averaging 22.8 points per game. Jaworski and Stephens became the first Patriot League men’s basketball teammates in more than seven years to tally 30 points in the same game in the Leopards’ season-opening overtime loss to Lehigh. Stephens topped the 30-point mark for the second time this season with 31 points in the Leopards’ Jan. 10 win over Bucknell. Jaworski and Stephens have received Patriot League GEICO Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks.
Patriot League Men’s Basketball GEICO Players of the Week
Player: E.J. Stephens, Lafayette, Sr., G
Rookie: R.J. Johnson, Holy Cross, Fr., G
Honorable Mention: Jordan Burns, Colgate, Sr., G; Austin Butler, Holy Cross, Sr., G; John Carter Jr., Navy, Sr., G; Nic Lynch, Lehigh, Jr., C
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.