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This is a crazy mixed-up world we live in, Patriot League fans. After many weeks of unbridled superiority, teams we once gazed up at now seem mortal while the teams we scorned and buried in the basement have risen up to taste the sunlight. The sheer unpredictability of this conference make its obscenely entertaining, but nearly impossible to make sense of.
But fear not, fans from Annapolis to Boston, that responsibility is a burden I will bear. So come with me, deep into the rabbit hole.
1. American Eagles (14-9, 10-2)
I know, they lost to Colgate and Loyola this week. But that doesn't mean we have to throw out the 10 straight games the Eagles won prior to last week. Among those wins were complete dismantlings of BU and Holy Cross and convincing wins over everyone else. Neither of the teams that beat the Eagles this week could usurp them atop the rankings, so at the top they remain.
Last Week: 1
2. BU Terriers (17-8, 10-2)
The Terriers, on the other hand, took care of business this week. With the Patriot League now back within its grasp, BU has a chance to make up for its own two losses a clinch home-court advantage in the conference tournament. Colgate, Loyola, a home date with American, Bucknell, Army and Holy Cross remain ahead of them, but if they can replicate their 88-point outburst from Saturday there may not be anything stopping them from hosting the Patriot League championship in Boston (fingers crossed, because that would be awesome).
Last Week: 2
3. Holy Cross Crusaders (14-10, 8-4)
The Crusaders have won seven of their last eight games with the lone loss coming at the hands of American on the road. They have won close games, blowouts, and the intermediate nine-point game and done so lately without the services of Cullen Hamilton. Now playing a faster game with Justin Burrell and Anthony Thompson in the backcourt, Holy Cross looks poised to make a deep run in the conference tournament. Still in the way? A home date with BU on the last day of the regular season.
Last Week: 4
4. Army Black Knights (12-11, 8-4)
A loss to Navy never helps anyone, but that is how Army attempted to help itself this week. Not only did they lose, but they lost by 22. Army is still a good team, and still considerably better than some of the teams below them, but that loss is concerning.
Last Week: 3
5. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (13-12, 6-6)
This is where things start to get crowded. After a win over BU, the Mountain Hawks were blown out Army before knocking off Loyola by 14. After losing four straight games, Lehigh reversed the trend to win four straight. If history is any indication, I expect them to now alternate wins and losses the rest of the year. It's the only thing that makes sense.
Last Week: 6
6. Loyola GreyHounds (10-13, 5-7)
Loyola gets the nod here on the strength of its win over American and the next team's 0-2 week. Also, beating American without Dylon Cormier deserves recognition.
Last Week: 7
7. Bucknell Bison (10-13, 5-7)
Losers of four of its last five games, Bucknell is trending in the wrong direction at the wrong time. The Bison fell 66-50 to Holy Cross on Sunday and gave Lafayette its second win in Patriot League play earlier in the week. Its lone win in the last five, a 79-68 win at Colgate, looks a little better than it did at the time, but it's still not been a great couple of weeks for Bucknell.
Last Week: 5
8. Colgate Red Raiders (9-14, 3-9)
9. Lafayette Leopards (6-17, 2-10)
10. Navy Midshipmen (8-15, 3-9)
These three teams sit in the same order as last week. Navy earns some points for its win over Army, Colgate for its win over American, and Lafayette for its recent resurgence, but I'm still not so sure this isn't the order these teams belong in.
