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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