Colgate, BU, and American may need to welcome a fourth team into the top tier of teams in the Patriot League. Loyola Maryland continues to make waves in the conference standings. The Greyhounds have been the most difficult team to beat in the conference since Santi Aldama returned, and have lost only one game since then.
On the other hand, Lafayette and Navy are slipping out of the playoff picture after some tough games in the last few weeks.
For this edition of the Power Rankings, Ethan Fuller and Hannah Yoshinaga picked the top freshman from every squad in the conference.
1. Colgate University (22-7, 13-3 PL)
Previous ranking: 1
Freshman of the Week: Keegan Records (F)
The Raiders feature a deep roster, but one freshman has consistently cracked the rotation all season long. At 6-10, 235 pounds, Records is a physical backup big who is still developing an offensive skill set. He averaged four points and three rebounds during Colgate’s undefeated week.
This week: February 26 at Bucknell, February 29 vs. Army
2. Boston University (17-12, 11-5 PL)
Previous ranking: 3
Freshman of the Week: Ethan Brittain-Watts (G)
Brittain-Watts is the only Terrier freshman to take the court this season, but he has continued to grow as a primary facilitator. Brittain-Watts earned his first career start in a loss to Lafayette, but his better game of the week came in BU’s shocking comeback win over American. The Indiana hooper tallied four points, two rebounds and two steals, knocking down the dagger that pushed BU to second in these rankings.
This week: February 26 at Lehigh, February 29 vs. Bucknell
3. American University (14-13, 10-6 PL)
Previous ranking: 2
Freshman of the Week: Ben Lubarsky (G)
Lubarsky wins this recognition by default; he is the only freshman Eagle. But Kubarsky has a viable rotation role as a wing shooter and played double-digit minutes in both games this week. He failed to score against Navy, but contributed three points and three rebounds in the loss to BU.
This week: February 26 vs. Lafayette, January 29 at Holy Cross
4. Loyola University Maryland (15-14, 7-9 PL)
Previous ranking: 8
Freshman of the Week: Santi Aldama (F)
The Greyhounds’ season has completely turned around since Aldama returned from injury a few weeks ago. Since he came back, the Greyhounds have lost only one game and have beaten quality teams like Colgate, Army, Lafayette, and Navy. Aldama posted a double-double against Lafayette with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Against Army, Aldama put up 13 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. — Hannah Yoshinaga
This week: February 26 at Navy, February 29 vs. Lehigh
5. Army West Point (14-13, 9-7 PL)
Previous ranking: 4
Freshman of the Week: Chris Mann (F)
Mann saw only 18 minutes of action all last week, but it was the most of all the Army freshmen. Against Loyola, Mann scored two points and added two assists. Mann grabbed a rebound in Army’s loss to Navy. With Matt Wilson graduating in the spring, Mann should get more opportunities to prove himself next season. — Hannah Yoshinaga
This week: February 26 vs. Holy Cross, February 29 at Colgate
6. Lafayette College (17-10, 9-7 PL)
Previous ranking: 6
Freshman of the Week: Leo O’Boyle (G)
Lafayette’s two freshmen — O’Boyle and seven-foot Neal Quinn — both start and play prominent roles on the team. But the edge this week goes to O’Boyle, who went off for 21 points behind five triples in a narrow loss to Loyola Maryland. O’Boyle lead the Leopards in scoring despite playing only 28 minutes and picking up four fouls. — Ethan Fuller
This week: February 26 at American, February 29 vs. Navy
7. Naval Academy (13-14, 7-9 PL)
Previous ranking: 5
Freshman of the Week: Tyler Nelson (F)
The Midshipmen are stumbling, having lost three games in a row. They boast a huge freshman class with too few minutes to go around. Tyler Nelson earns the nod, though, for his two-point, four-rebound effort against Army that also included a steal and a block. — Ethan Fuller
This week: February 26 vs. Loyola MD, February 29 at Lafayette
8. Bucknell University (11-18, 7-9 PL)
Previous ranking: 7
Freshman of the Week: Xander Rice (G)
The Bison have only two freshmen on their roster and neither one sees significant playing time, but Rice is a solid backup option when need be. Rice added an assist off the bench in both of Bucknell’s games this week. — Hannah Yoshinaga
This week: February 26 vs. Colgate, February 29 at BU
9. Lehigh University (8-20, 5-11 PL)
Previous ranking: 9
Freshman of the Week: Reed Fenton (G)
Fenton got the chance to start in the Mountain Hawks’ contest against Colgate this week, during which he scored four points and grabbed three rebounds. Fenton was Lehigh’s most productive bench player against Bucknell with two points, four boards, one assist, and one steal. Fenton and some of Lehigh’s other young guards will get the chance to play a larger role on the team next year once Jordan Cohen graduates. — Hannah Yoshinaga
This week: February 26 vs. BU, February 29 at Loyola MD
10. College of the Holy Cross (3-26, 2-14)
Previous ranking: 10
Freshman of the Week: Joe Pridgen (F)
Pridgen has taken the Crusaders on his back all season long. The eight-time Patriot League Freshman of the Week dropped 25 points, nine rebounds, and five rebounds against a tough Colgate defense on Saturday and scored 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting against Bucknell earlier in the week. Pridgen still struggles with ball control at times, but some of that is to be expected considering that he is the team’s primary ball handler while only a freshman. — Hannah Yoshinaga
This week: February 26 at Army, February 29 vs. American
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