By Michael Kelley

Assistant Sports Editor Michael Kelley ’14 gives an update on Patriot League Men’s Basketball

BUCKNELL (5-3): Last year’s Patriot League Champions are 5-3 at this point in the season. The Bison have already faced four NCAA tournament teams from 2011, but have been up to the task. With a tough non-conference schedule, the Bison started off 0-2, with losses to Minnesota and Vanderbilt. A five-game win streak included wins against Saint Francis, Marist, Princeton, West Alabama and Morehead State. The streak was snapped with a 61-57 loss to George Mason on Wednesday. The team returned four starters and is led in scoring by Mike Muscala ‘13, last year’s Patriot League player of the year.

LEHIGH (5-2): The Mountain Hawks have an impressive 5-2 record in their first seven games. After starting 0-2 against St. Johns and Iowa State, they are currently on a five-game winning streak, with wins against Fairleigh Dickinson, William and Mary, Liberty, Eastern Kentucky, and Quinnipiac. Their leading scoring is star point guard C.J. McCollum ‘13, who is averaging 19.7 points per game, good enough for second in the Patriot League. The Leopards square off with the Mountain Hawks on January 22 in Easton and again on February 18 in Bethlehem.

AMERICAN (5-2): The Eagles are 5-2 thus far. Wins have come against Florida Atlantic, Columbia, Quinnipiac, Cornell and Howard. Losses have come against Richmond and Maryland Eastern Shore. In last year’s epic Patriot League semifinal game against the Leopards, Jim Mower ‘12 hit a game-winning three in double overtime. The rematch is slated for January 28 in Easton. Forward Charles Hinkle ‘12, the Patriot League’s top scorer, leads the Eagles and averages 23 points a game.

NAVY (3-4): Head Coach Ed DeChellis, who led Penn State to a NCAA Tournament bid last season, has led the Midshipmen to a 3-5 record in his first season. The Midshipmen have wins against Longwood, Penn State Altoona, and Mount St. Mary’s, and losses against Siena, Quinnipiac, Tulane, Albany and Maryland Eastern Shore. J.J. Avila ‘14, averaging 13.3 points per game, is the team’s top scorer. The Midshipmen and the Leopards open up Patriot League play on January 7 in Annapolis, Md.

ARMY (2-4): Through seven games, the Black Knights stand at 2-5, with wins against Marywood and Bryant University. Forward Ella Ellis ‘13 is averaging 15.6 points per game which is fourth in the Patriot League in scoring. The Knights come into Easton to clash the Leopards on January 11.

COLGATE (2-4): The Raiders are 2-4 through six games. Wins have come against Binghamton and St. Francis Pa. Colgate lost to Wisconsin, Syracuse, Marist and Fordham. Pat Moore ‘14 leads the Raiders in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game.

HOLY CROSS (2-5): The Crusaders stand at 2-5 so far. Losses have come against the College of Charleston, Harvard, Fairfield, Maine and Providence. Wins have come against Boston College and Hartford. Devin Brown ‘12 leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game.