The Loyola Maryland Greyhounds (12-19, 8-10 Patriot League) travel to Hamilton, New York to face the Colgate Raiders (17-14, 11-7 Patriot League) in the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Patriot League Championship on Thursday night. With postseason stakes high and both teams having met recently in a dramatic contest, this Loyola Maryland vs Colgate game could be one of the best mid-major games of the night in college hoops.
Our Loyola Maryland vs Colgate Pick
Pick: Colgate Raiders -6.5
Confidence: 3.5 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Loyola Maryland Greyhounds @ Colgate Raiders
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Cotterell Court, Hamilton, New York
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
- The Raiders earned a dramatic 101-98 overtime victory over the Greyhounds on February 21, with Jalen Cox exploding for 38 points and 11 rebounds.
- This conference tournament is one where the higher seeds play at home, which means that Colgate will be the host and that could help them here, as they will have the support of their home crowd in the most important game of their season so far.
Key Players
Colgate Raiders
- Jalen Cox – The junior guard has been Colgate’s go-to scorer, averaging over 17 points per game while shooting efficiently and aiding the board. His performance in the earlier meeting demonstrates his ability to take over games.
- Andrew Alekseyenko – A second scoring option beside Cox, Alekseyenko presents a consistent threat inside and out. He provides inside scoring and secondary creation for the Raiders.
- Sam Wright – A reliable wing scorer, Wright’s shooting and scoring efficiency complement Cox’s creation, making Colgate harder to defend when Wright heats up.
Loyola Maryland Greyhounds
- Braeden Speed – Loyola’s leading scorer, Speed averages about 15 points per game while contributing on the boards and facilitating offense. His ability to get his own shot will be key if Loyola is to stay competitive.
- Emmett Adair – While not as prolific as Speed, Adair’s rebounding is a huge weapon that they will try to use to their advantage.
Stat Comparison
| Statistic | Loyola Maryland | Colgate |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 75.2 | 76.2 |
| Points allowed per game | 76.6 | 74.5 |
| Team Field Goal % | 43% | 48% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 35.5 | 34.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 13.3 | 14.6 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Colgate went 2-0 against Loyola MD this year.
- Loyola Maryland is 15-13-1 against the spread on the season.
- Colgate is 11-18 against the spread going into this game.
Loyola Maryland vs Colgate Model Projection
Score Projection: Colgate 81 – Loyola Maryland 74
Win Probability: Colgate 64%, Loyola Maryland 36%
Final Thoughts
This quarterfinal duel in the Patriot League Tournament shapes up as a competitive contest between two familiar foes. Colgate’s home-court advantage and deeper statistical edges make it the favorite, but Loyola Maryland’s ability to score in bunches could result in a tighter finish than the line implies. I think that Colgate will be able to limit Loyola somewhat, though, and I’ll lay the points with the hosts here.
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