Can the Navy Midshipmen reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time this century? The Midshipmen head into the 2026 Patriot League tourney as the heavy favorites to win the 2026 Patriot League tourney, which begins the 36th version of its event in March. The Patriot League tournament runs from March 3 through the 11th.
2026 Patriot League Tournament: Navy Seeking To Finish Fairy Tale Season With First Trip To NCAA Tournament In 21st Century
Navy (25-6) set the school record for most victories in conference play this year, posting a 17-1 record. The Midshipmen, who own the nation’s 12th-best defense, won the Patriot League by six games over Lehigh and Colgate (11-7). It is their first regular-season title since the conference changed to a single-division format — the Midshipmen’s previous regular-season crown was in 2021. Additionally, their 26 wins are the most since they moved to the Patriot League in 2011-12 and the third-most in program history — they won 30 games in 1985-86 and 26 (twice).
Lehigh earned the Patriot League’s No. 2 seed by sweeping Colgate to win the tiebreaker. Thus, leaving the Red Raiders third in the pecking order. Boston University was fourth, followed by American and Loyola (MD.). Loyola and Lafayette finished tied in the standings with an 8-10 record. However, the Greyhounds earned the sixth seed and the final first-round bye as a result of splitting with Lehigh, while the Mountain Hawks swept the Leopards.
Therefore, Lafayette will play Holy Cross in the 7-10 matchup tonight. Meanwhile, Bucknell hosts Army in the 9-10 contest. Army and Holy Cross finished with identical 5-13 marks, but the Black Knights swept Lehigh, and the Crusaders split with them.
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