On Thursday, the Patriot League tournament continues with a quarterfinal clash as the #8 Bucknell Bison travel to Annapolis to take on the #1 Navy Midshipmen. Navy enters this contest as the outright tournament favorite after a dominant regular season in which they rattled off a 25‑6 overall record and went 17‑1 in league play, finishing atop the Patriot League standings. Bucknell, meanwhile, struggled throughout the 2025‑26 campaign with a 10‑22 mark and a 6‑12 conference record, but earned a quarterfinal berth and a spot in this Bucknell vs Navy game by defeating Army in the first round.
Our Bucknell vs Navy Pick
Pick: Navy -16.5
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Bucknell Bison @ Navy Midshipmen
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Maryland
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
- Navy has been the class of the Patriot League all year, securing the regular‑season title with a 17‑1 conference record and entering the postseason with momentum after an 85‑69 win over Colgate and several other strong performances.
- No other team in the Patriot League went better than 11-7 in conference play and it would be a massive disappointment if Navy failed to win the conference championship this year.
- Bucknell enters this contest off a first‑round victory over Army, but the Bison have lost two straight to Navy this season, including a 76‑60 defeat in Lewisburg on February 9th.
- This is a chance for Navy to continue its unprecedented season and reach the semifinals on its home floor, while Bucknell aims to extend its season with another upset.
Key Players
Navy Midshipmen
- Aidan Kehoe – The senior forward is a force in the paint, averaging double‑digit rebounds and serving as one of Navy’s leading scorers. He put up 26 points and 12 rebounds in the February meeting with Bucknell.
- Austin Benigni – Navy’s top perimeter threat, leading the team in scoring and assists with veteran leadership that keeps the offense flowing and defenses honest.
- Jinwoo Kim – A key scoring option off the bench who has stretched defenses with timely shooting and allows Navy to maintain offensive balance when starters rest.
Bucknell Bison
- Amon Dörries – The Bison’s leading scorer, averaging around 16 points per game, who can create his own offense and keeps Bucknell competitive in stretches.
- Pat Curtin – A steady contributor who has produced scoring bursts for Bucknell, his ability to get buckets will be vital in any upset scenario.
- Achile Spadone – A versatile players who brings hustle plays, steals, and secondary scoring that Bucknell needs in high‑pressure situations.
Stat Comparison
Statistic | Bucknell | Navy |
|---|
Points per game | 67.3 | 74.8 |
Points allowed per game | 76.4 | 63.3 |
Team Field Goal % | 42% | 48% |
Rebounds Per Game | 31.4 | 37.0 |
Assists Per Game | 12.6 | 16.3 |
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- Navy has beaten Bucknell in both matchups this season, including a 76‑60 road win and a 76‑55 victory earlier in January.
- Bucknell is 2‑6 straight up in its last eight games and 1‑4 against the spread against Navy in recent meetings.
- Navy is 10‑0 straight up and against the spread in its last 10 games and 5‑0 ATS at home.
Bucknell vs Navy Model Projection
Score Projection: Bucknell 61 – Navy 81
Win Probability: Bucknell 29%, Navy 71%
Final Thoughts
Navy has proven throughout the 2025‑26 season that it is the Patriot League’s most consistent and dominant team, posting statistical advantages across multiple categories and maintaining a perfect ATS mark over its last 10 games. While Bucknell’s grit earned them a first‑round win, the Bison have struggled to generate offense and defend at the level required to upset a hot Navy squad. I expect Navy to leverage its rebounding strength and efficient scoring to advance to the semifinals with a comfortable victory.
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