BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Four-time defending champion Colgate finished atop the 2024-25 preseason poll, while American graduate student forward Matt Rogers and Holy Cross senior forward Caleb Kenney received Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, when the League office announced preseason honors on Thursday.
The Raiders received 156 points and 14 first-place votes to rank first in the preseason poll, with American getting 144 points and four first-place votes. Boston University, who advanced to the semifinal round of the League championship, collected 120 points and the final two first-place votes to rank third in the preseason poll. Fellow 2023-24 semifinalist Bucknell (115) and League runner-up Lehigh (103) rounded out the top five.
Lafayette (77), Army West Point (64), Navy (61), Holy Cross (40) and Loyola Maryland (20) completed the 10-team preseason poll.
Rogers highlights a five-member Preseason All-Patriot League Team that features five returning All-League selections, including first-team honoree Tyler Whitney-Sidney (Lehigh, Sr. G), second-teamers Miles Brewster (Boston University, Gr., G) and Austin Benigni (Navy, Jr., G) and third-teamer Noah Williamson (Bucknell, Jr., C).
The Patriot League’s men’s basketball head coaches and athletics communications contacts completed voting for the preseason poll, major awards and All-League team. They cannot vote for their team or student-athletes.
Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year
Matt Rogers, American, Gr., F, Knoxville, Md./St. Maria’s Goretti
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 16.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.5 bpg, 0.7 spg, .500 FG%, .368 3FG%, .731 FT%
*Rogers is a two-time All-Patriot League selection, earning First Team honors in 2023-24 after finishing third in the League in scoring (16.3 ppg) and seventh in rebounding (6.2 rpg)
*Last season, Rogers earned Patriot League Player of the Week twice (Nov. 20, Feb. 6) and ranked fourth in the League in field-goal percentage (.501) and seventh in free-throw percentage (.731).
*He became the 15th men’s basketball student-athlete in Eagles’ history to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds during his career.
Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Caleb Kenney, Holy Cross, Sr., F, Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman
2023-24 Stats: 33 GP, 11.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.9 apg, 2.2 bpg, 0.7 spg, .576 FG%
*Kenney is the League’s defending Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the five-member All-Defensive Team last season.
*He led the League with 71 blocked shots (2.2 bpg), including 2.8 blocks per game in18 League games.
*The senior forward also finished third in the League in rebounding (6.5 rpg) while finishing second with 7.4 rebounds per game in League play.
2024-25 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Matt Rogers, American, Gr., F
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 16.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.5 bpg, 0.7 spg, .500 FG%, .368 3FG%, .731 FT%
Career Honors: All-Patriot League First Team (2024), Second Team (2023), Academic All-Patriot League Team (2024), NABC All-District 13 Second Team (2024)
Miles Brewster, Boston University, Gr., G
2023-24 Stats: 33 GP, 10.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.5 spg, .432 FG%, .407 3FG%, .713 FT%
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Second Team (2024), All-Defensive Team (2024), Academic All-Patriot League Team (2024)
Noah Williamson, Bucknell, Jr., C
2023-24 Stats: 33 GP, 12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.9 bpg, .495 FG%, .329 3FG%, .642 FT%
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Third Team (2024), Patriot League All-Tournament Team (2024)
Tyler Whitney-Sidney, Lehigh, Sr., G
2023-24 Stats: 32 GP, 15.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, .475 FG%, .319 3FG%, .721 FT%
Career Honors: All-Patriot League First Team (2024), Patriot League All-Tournament Team (2024), All-Patriot League Third Team (2022-23), All-Rookie Team (2022)
Austin Benigni, Navy, Jr., G
2023-24 Stats:31 GP, 17.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 0.7 spg, .385 FG%, .847 FT%
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Second Team (2024)
2024-25 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 156 points (14 first-place votes)
2. American, 144, (4)
3. Boston University, 120 (2)
4. Bucknell, 115
5. Lehigh, 103
6. Lafayette, 77
7. Army West Point, 64
8. Navy, 61
9. Holy Cross, 40
10. Loyola Maryland, 20
2024-25 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Matt Rogers, American, Gr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Caleb Kenney, Holy Cross, Sr., F
2024-25 Preseason Men’s Basketball All-Patriot League Team
Matt Rogers, American, Gr., F
Miles Brewster, Boston University, Gr., G
Noah Williamson, Bucknell, Jr., C
Tyler Whitney-Sidney, Lehigh, Sr., G
Austin Benigni, Navy, Jr., G
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 who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.