What is the Patriot League Basketball?
The Patriot League Basketball is a college basketball conference that consists of ten teams in the Northeastern United States. The conference is a member of the NCAA Division I and is considered one of the premier academic conferences in the nation. The Patriot League is comprised of teams from Army, Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland, Navy, and Holy Cross.
History of the Patriot League Basketball
The Patriot League Basketball was created in 1986 and has been in existence ever since. The conference was initially formed as an all-sportsconference with all eight members competing in all sports. In 1991, the conference split into two divisions with the top teams playing in the Patriot League Basketball and the remaining teams competing in the Patriot League Football.
Patriot League Basketball Teams
The ten teams that make up the Patriot League Basketball are:
- Army – Army is located in West Point, New York and is a member of the Patriot League since 1997.
- Boston University – BU is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has been a member of the Patriot League since 1997.
- Bucknell – Bucknell is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and is a member of the Patriot League since 1986.
- Colgate – Colgate is located in Hamilton, New York and is a member of the Patriot League since 1986.
- Lafayette – Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and is a member of the Patriot League since 1986.
- Lehigh – Lehigh is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is a member of the Patriot League since 1986.
- Loyola Maryland – Loyola is located in Baltimore, Maryland and is a member of the Patriot League since 1990.
- Navy – Navy is located in Annapolis, Maryland and is a member of the Patriot League since 1990.
- Holy Cross – Holy Cross is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and is a member of the Patriot League since 1990.
Patriot League Basketball Champions
The Patriot League Basketball has crowned a champion every year since its inception in 1986. The following teams have won the Patriot League Basketball Championship since its inception:
- 1986 – Navy
- 1987 – Navy
- 1988 – Army
- 1989 – Navy
- 1990 – Navy
- 1991 – Navy
- 1992 – Navy
- 1993 – Navy
- 1994 – Navy
- 1995 – Navy
- 1996 – Navy
- 1997 – Navy
- 1998 – Navy
- 1999 – Navy
- 2000 – Navy
- 2001 – Army
- 2002 – Army
- 2003 – Navy
- 2004 – Holy Cross
- 2005 – Holy Cross
- 2006 – Holy Cross
- 2007 – Holy Cross
- 2008 – Holy Cross
- 2009 – Holy Cross
- 2010 – Bucknell
- 2011 – Bucknell
- 2012 – Bucknell
- 2013 – Bucknell
- 2014 – Bucknell
- 2015 – Bucknell
- 2016 – Bucknell
- 2017 – Bucknell
- 2018 – Colgate
- 2019 – Colgate
- 2020 – Colgate
Patriot League Basketball Awards
The Patriot League Basketball recognizes its best players, coaches, and teams each season with a variety of awards:
- Player of the Year – Recognizing the top player in the conference.
- Coach of the Year – Recognizing the best coach in the conference.
- Rookie of the Year – Recognizing the top freshman in the conference.
- Defensive Player of the Year – Recognizing the best defensive player in the conference.
- Sixth Man of the Year – Recognizing the top bench player in the conference.
- Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Recognizing the player that excels both on the court and in the classroom.
- Team of the Year – Recognizing the top team in the conference.
Patriot League Basketball in the NCAA Tournament
Since its inception in 1986, the Patriot League Basketball has sent teams to the NCAA Tournament. The following teams have participated in the NCAA Tournament:
- 1986 – Navy
- 1987 – Navy
- 1988 – Army
- 1989 – Navy
- 1991 – Navy
- 1993 – Navy
- 1994 – Navy
- 1996 – Navy
- 1997 – Navy
- 1998 – Navy
- 1999 – Navy
- 2002 – Army
- 2003 – Navy
- 2004 – Holy Cross
- 2005 – Holy Cross
- 2006 – Holy Cross
- 2007 – Holy Cross
- 2008 – Holy Cross
- 2009 – Holy Cross
- 2010 – Bucknell
- 2011 – Bucknell
- 2012 – Bucknell
- 2013 – Bucknell
- 2014 – Bucknell
- 2015 – Bucknell
- 2016 – Bucknell
- 2017 – Bucknell
- 2018 – Colgate
- 2019 – Colgate
- 2020 – Colgate
Patriot League Basketball Television Contract
In 2011, the Patriot League Basketball signed a multi-year television contract with CBS Sports Network to broadcast its games. The contract allows CBS Sports Network to broadcast over 20 games per season, including the Patriot League Tournament.
Conclusion
The Patriot League Basketball is a college basketball conference that consists of ten teams in the Northeastern United States. It is a member of the NCAA Division I and is one of the premier academic conferences in the nation. The Patriot League has crowned a champion every year since its inception in 1986 and teams have participated in the NCAA Tournament since then. The Patriot League also has a television contract with CBS Sports Network to broadcast its games.