Patriot League Overview

Speaking of size, the Navy Midshippmen suddenly have become the aircraft carriers of small program teams when one of their cadets sprung up about half a foot after he got to Annapolis.  Sophomore David Robinson has grown to be a seven footer and has the skills of a wing to match.  The Admiral has some support up front but without him this roster would be competing with the rest of the league for second place (which they are now favorites to finish) but to with him this Academy will get more attention that it probably deserves.  With games against Maryland, San Francisco, Virginia, Georgetown, Jacksonville and a tourney in San Antonio that also includes Wake Forest and Houston the Midshippmen games in the Patriot will almost be a breather.  This should show if this program is post season worthy and perhaps even ready for an upset or two when they get there. The supporting cast includes a sophomore sidekick up front in Vernon Butler who was actually a bigger recruit than Robinson in perhaps both talent and height.  Senior wing John Clune brings experience and shot making which this team will need to keep the wolves at bay inside.  Seniors John Tomie and Don Lange provide some depth as both were stars here not too long ago but accepted their roles.  Coach Ben Carnavale is a heck of a game coach so he will pull some rabbits out of his hat and that will help but a little more quickness and shooting is what the Midshipmen will need to stay afloat in chase for a postseason berth. 

The other military academy will attempt to compete the old-fashioned way.  The Black Knights, coached by Leo Novak, will rely on defense and veteran leadership to get the job done at West Point.  Senior Mike Silliman and Junior Gary Winton give Novak two experienced post players who have skills but are nowhere near the size (six foot six is the limit for entry and they haven’t grown) or talent of Robinson but this team is tough and hopefully can win more than they lose of the tight, low scoring games they are likely to play.  Sophomore guards Kevin Houston and Randy Cozzens played well at the end of last year and are bucking to break up the Cadet seniority code and start this year.  That would be a good move from Novak as Houston can flat shoot and Cozzens is by far the best athlete on the team.  But this is Army and Novak is about as old school as it gets. 

The Colgate Red Raiders are positioned to have a good run with a veteran team that can score.  Senior guards Carl Braun (coming back from military service) and Bob Duffy and forward Ernie Vandeweghe lead an experienced team that if they can get any board work and defense under the basket could compete for second place in this league.  Undersized senior Jack Nichols does yeoman’s work down below and sophomore Mike Ferrara gives the Red Raiders another wing who can storm the basket but this team needs some board men.  Coach Jack Bruen has the horses who can run now if he can just have some seven-footer fall into the Red Raiders lap ala Navy this team could really move up the ranks. 

Traditional rivals Lafayette and Lehigh will not just fight each other when they play but will be fighting to stay out of the bottom half of the league.  The Leopards have a bit more experience and talent led by the Tripucka (Tracy and Todd) brothers who did not make it to South Bend and like most teams in this league will rely on defense to keep games close.  There is some experience with the likes of juniors Walt Kocubinski, Jay Mottola, Bob Falciniero and Phillip ‘G-Man’ Ness coming back with some minutes under their belts at the D-1 level but they need some speed and power bad in Easton PA. 

The Mountain Hawks seem to be starting over once again under new Coach Brett Reed and he promises this team will be more exciting than expected though the amount of wins even in this league will be limited.  Sophomore Daren Queenan is the most exciting thing to come to Bethlehem since the birth of a certain steel company (gotcha) as this kid can jump out of the gym.  He has some skills to polish up but Q is easily the best athlete in the league and has a shot to be special.  Fellow sophomore Mike Poloha has already grabbed the reins of the Engineers er Mountain Hawks and will play next to senior two guard Norm Brandl one more year.  They are a fine combo but are not quick or athletic.  Bob Fortune is a tricky post player who produces but like most teams that don’t have an Admiral this team needs some real bigs. 

Another Pennsylvania school is in the same situation as their brethren from the Keystone state.  The Bucknell Bison have little experience and are counting on underclassmen to lead the team outside senior board man aptly named Hal Danzig.  Sophomores Jaye Andrews and Mike Butts showed some potential last year.  Andrews is a wing who can score and Butts fits his name like a Sir Mix-A-lot tune.  The Bison are trying to move on up but their schedule is difficult with many Big East or A-10 teams blocking their ascension. 

The new kids on the block the American Eagles were meant to play in this league and though this team will struggle to win games they do have one of the best sets of big men that you have never heard of.  Tough junior Kermit Washington is as good of a board man as there is in the country and will fight for every rebound and is not exactly a go to offensive player though he can score on putbacks and power moves.  Senior Art Beatty is a smooth 7 footer who makes it looks too easy at times but this will be a step up.  Can’t wait to see him go against the Admiral in the ultimate laid back big man showdown.  The best player on the team may be a 5’9 motormouth from DC.  Senior Wil or Willie Jones depending on his mood is the best jump shooter in the league and if he was half a foot taller would be a household name.  This kid can spring and is as confident as Reggie in October and boy do the opponents hate him.  Oh well, this kid can play and the Eagles do have some talent around these three. 

As a matter of fact, if any team could upset the apple cart in the Patriot it would be American though of course nobody is beating the Crusaders.  Well, not unless the Admiral improves as much as he did from in his first year.  Then all bets are off!