Men’s Basketball: Patriot League Power Rankings — Week 3

By: Ethan Fuller and Hannah Yoshinaga

Featured image courtesy of Navy Athletics.

This week gave us our first look at American and Loyola Maryland, two teams who had to wait a few extra weeks to play because of positive tests in their programs. They didn’t disappoint either, going head to head with some of the strongest teams in the conference and standing their ground.

Navy and Colgate also continued to prove that they’re the best of the best in the conference with dominant wins in their respective series.

At the other end of the standings, Bucknell showed improvement after getting off to a rough 0-4 start, while BU struggled yet again en route to a series sweep.

In this week’s Power Rankings, Ethan Fuller and Hannah Yoshinaga highlight a player from each team who’s caught their attention.

1. Navy (9-1, 6-0 PL)

Previous ranking: 2

Standout player: Cam Davis

We have a new team atop the Power Rankings! After beating American twice, including one double-overtime bonanza, Navy earns the top spot with a 6-0 record. Even with a Cam Davis dud last Sunday, the Midshipmen rallied to down the Eagles, 71-59. Their defense looks as good as ever, and the offense answered our question from last week, with Greg Summers and Tyler Nelson stepping up over the weekend.

Davis had one miserable game, but the senior star has otherwise been a force this season. It’s easy to forget that Sunday’s two-point outing came one day after he powered Navy to an overtime win with a career-high 34 points. Davis has been all but unguardable in conference play. He’s also shooting a strong 38.9 percent from distance in Patriot League action. — Ethan Fuller

This week: January 23 vs. Army, January 24 vs Army

2. Colgate University (5-1 PL)

Previous ranking: 1

Standout player: Jack Ferguson

Ferguson is absolutely lighting it up coming off the bench, and the only Raider who scores more than he does is Player of the Year contender Jordan Burns. And he’s doing it at an efficient rate — through six games, Ferguson is shooting 56.1% from the floor, 55.6% from deep and 100% from the charity stripe.

Although he’s yet to crack Matt Langel’s four-guard starting lineup, he’s a quintessential part of the Raiders’ backcourt-heavy schemes. Ferguson’s ability to stretch the floor allows Colgate to run a spread offense of sorts, exhausting opposing defenses. With few top-level opponents left on the schedule, expect Ferguson to continue torching players tasked with guarding him. — Hannah Yoshinaga 

This week: January 23 vs. Bucknell, January 24 vs. Bucknell       

3. Lafayette College (5-1 PL)

Previous ranking: 3

Standout player: E.J. Stephens

While it feels almost criminal not to pick Justin Jaworski, Stephens has truly surpassed expectations to become perhaps the best sixth man in the conference. In addition to averaging over 20 points per game off the bench, Stephens leads the team in steals with 12 takeaways in only five games. Considering that he averages 33 minutes per game, his willingness to contribute on both ends has impressed.

Having Stephens in the lineup with Jaworski makes guarding Lafayette’s backcourt a Herculean task, and many teams in the conference simply aren’t up to the task. If Stephens continues to produce alongside Jaworski and some of Lafayette’s less-experienced forwards, the Leopards should handily remain in the top three. — Hannah Yoshinaga 

This week: January 23 vs. BU, January 24 vs. BU

4. American University (0-2 PL)

Previous ranking: 5

Standout player: Stacy Beckton Jr.

The senior forward went on a tear in American’s first series, hardly looking rusty after not playing an NCAA game in over 300 days. In the Eagles’ first two games, Beckton averaged 21 points on 56% shooting. He also sank six of 10 three-point attempts.

On the other end of the floor, Beckton reminded us why he was an All-Defensive selection last season. Beckton picked up four steals and a block against a red-hot Navy team in the series, and he figures to make even more of an impact once the Eagles have their defensive rotations figured out. — Hannah Yoshinaga 

This week: January 23 vs. Loyola MD, January 24 at Loyola MD 

5. Loyola University Maryland (0-2 PL)

https://twitter.com/LoyolaMBB/status/1350593619674198019

Previous ranking: 6

Standout player: Brandon Bradsher

At long last, we got to see the Greyhounds tip off 2021, and they looked good in a pair of narrow two-point losses to Lafayette. Santi Aldama, as expected, leads the team with 16.5 points per game so far. But Loyola Maryland has found some nice contributions from the guard group, even without injured Cam Spencer and Isaiah Hart.

Brandon Bradsher is a remarkable story. The senior has gone from team manager to starter in his four years with the program, and dropped 21 points on nine shots in the season-opening defeat. Who knows how long he’ll be in the starting five with injured players returning, but for now, keep an eye on Bradsher in the early going. — Ethan Fuller

This week: January 23 at American, January 24 vs. American

6. Army (8-3, 4-2 PL)

Previous ranking: 9

Standout player: Jalen Rucker

The impressive freshman point guard has hardly looked like a rookie through 11 games this season, particularly in conference play. Rucker has slotted into the starting lineup without getting flustered, and he currently leads the team with 35 total assists.

While he has some work to do when it comes to efficiency (shooting 34.4% from the floor and 23.1% from three), he’s still the team’s fourth-leading scorer. Just a few more made shots could take his game up to the next level, which would enable Army to surpass preseason expectations even more than they already have. As for Rucker, he is firmly in the conversation for Rookie of the Year through the first three weeks of Patriot League competition. — Hannah Yoshinaga 

This week: January 23 at Navy, January 24 at Navy

7. Boston University (1-5 PL)

Previous ranking: 4

Standout player: Sukhmail Mathon

The Terriers keep tumbling, with two blowout losses to Army last weekend. But it’s no fault of Sukh Mathon, who has taken a critical leap in his senior season. The 6-foot-10 big man has demonstrated improved post footwork, decision-making and defense as one of the few truly reliable options for BU thus far.

Mathon is averaging career high in points (11.0) and rebounds (6.7) per game while shooting a career-best 60 percent from the floor and 70.6 percent from the line. He has reached double-digit points in five of six contests. While the Terriers continue to battle injuries and a lack of rhythm, Mathon has found a groove.— Ethan Fuller

This week: January 23 at Lafayette, January 24 at Lafayette

8. Bucknell University (2-4 PL)

Previous ranking: 7

Standout player: John Meeks

Sure, Meeks has only played in two games so far after returning from injury. But the Bison picked up their first two wins of the season, and the senior forward was the engine that turned Bucknell around. In two games against Lehigh, Meeks put up 12 points in 19 minutes and 31 points in 33 minutes as he worked his way up to a usual workload.

Does Meeks turn Bucknell into the outside contender we had them pegged as preseason? That remains to be seen — the guard play has still been up-and-down. With a major test against Colgate coming up, the Bison should be satisfied with contending for a win in even one contest. — Ethan Fuller

This week: January 23 at Colgate, January 24 at Colgate

9. College of the Holy Cross (2-4 PL)

Previous ranking: 10

Standout player: Gerrale Gates

Gates has breathed new life into the Crusaders’ lineup after transferring from the University of New Orleans. While he’s not a threat to score from deep and doesn’t move quite like some of the quicker forwards in the league, Gates knows his role in the frontcourt and has done his job effectively.

He’s putting up 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and those numbers could increase as he further solidifies his role in the Crusaders’ offensive scheme. Gates’ leadership and experience is another important part of his game, which should help Holy Cross’ bevy of young players. — Hannah Yoshinaga 

This week: January 23 vs. Lehigh, January 24 vs. Lehigh

10. Lehigh University (1-5 PL)

Previous ranking: 8

Standout player: Nic Lynch

After Marques Wilson’s opening day buzzer-beater, the Mountain Hawks have lost five straight. They’re giving up over 77 points per game to opponents, who are shooting 39 percent from deep on average. This weekend’s series with Holy Cross might just be must-win at this point for Lehigh.

One player who has tried to stem the tide is center Nic Lynch. The junior big man has emerged as one of the breakout post presences of the season with this year’s depleted strength inside. Lynch is putting up 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and faces a fun test against Gerrale Gates this weekend.— Ethan Fuller

This week: January 23 at Holy Cross, January 24 at Holy Cross

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