The Holy Cross Crusaders make the short trip to Easton, Pennsylvania to take on the Lafayette Leopards in the first round of the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday night. Both teams struggled at times throughout the regular season, but this single-elimination showdown gives each squad a chance to extend their campaign and get into the quarterfinals. Holy Cross limped to a 10–21 record and a 5–13 mark in conference play, while Lafayette finished slightly better at 11–20 and 8–10 in league games. Before this game tips off in the Patriot League, you will find my Holy Cross vs Lafayette prediction here.
Our Holy Cross vs Lafayette Pick
Pick: Lafayette Leopards -3.5
Confidence: 5 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Holy Cross Crusaders @ Lafayette Leopards
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Kirby Sports Center, Easton, Pennsylvania
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
- Both of these teams ended the regular season with losing records in Patriot League play. The Crusaders finished at the bottom of the conference at 5-13, with Lafayette going 8-10 in conference action.
- Holy Cross has struggled away from home this season and finished with one of the weakest road records in league play, going 3-13 in their road games during the 2025-26 season.
- Both teams rank near the bottom of the Patriot League in scoring and defense, setting the stage for a battle where turnovers, free throws, and rebounding may determine the outcome.
Key Players
Lafayette Leopards
- Caleb Williams – The Leopards’ leading scorer at around 15.6 points per game, Williams also contributes solid rebounding and free‑throw efficiency, making him a central piece in Lafayette’s offense. He is not the same Caleb Williams as the one on the Chicago Bears.
- Christian Humphrey‑Rembert – Anchoring the glass for Lafayette with 6.7 rebounds per game, his presence on the boards can limit second‑chance points for Holy Cross and spark transition opportunities for his teammates.
- Mark Butler – Handling playmaking duties, Butler averages around four assists per game, helping facilitate Lafayette’s offense and maintain tempo control.
Holy Cross Crusaders
- Tyler Boston – The primary scoring option for Holy Cross at 13.7 points per contest, Boston’s shooting and ability to draw fouls will be key if the Crusaders hope to stay competitive.
- Aiden Disu – Disu leads the Crusaders in rebounding with 5.0 boards per game. He will have his hands full on the interior here and needs to be at his best for Holy Cross to advance to the Patriot League quarterfinals.
Stat Comparison
| Statistic | Holy Cross | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 67.8 | 69.2 |
| Points allowed per game | 73.3 | 74.2 |
| Team Field Goal % | 44% | 43% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 31.3 | 33.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 10.6 | 13.5 |
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- Lafayette has held the edge in recent head‑to‑head meetings, including an 86‑83 road win over Holy Cross in February. Lafayette has not lost in Easton to Holy Cross since 2019.
- Holy Cross is 13-15 against the spread this year.
- Lafayette is also two games below .500 against the spread this season at 14-16.
Holy Cross vs Lafayette Model Projection
Score Projection: Holy Cross 67 – Lafayette 74
Win Probability: Holy Cross 28%, Lafayette 72%
Final Thoughts
I will lay the points with Lafayette in this elimination game in the Patriot League. The Leopards have not been great by any stretch of the imagination this season, but they have won two straight games coming into conference tournament time and they should be able to dispatch the worst team in the Patriot League to move onto the next round.
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