OPENING TIP
Lafayette men's basketball continues the second round of Patriot League matchups against Bucknell in the 181st meeting since 1915. The initial 2024-25 meeting with the Bison took place on Jan. 8 and became the sixth in the previous eight games to require overtime.

Previously in the series, Andrew Phillips led the Leopard squad with 16 points and seven rebounds during a 65-62 heartbreaker on the road. Justin Vander Baan added 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks for his second double-double of the year. The hosts outscored Lafayette 7-4 in the extra minutes. The Maroon and White shot 43 percent from the field while being held to 18 percent from long distance overall.

Last time out, men's hoops took Patriot League-leading American to the wire in a 60-58 loss on Monday evening at Bender Arena, aired live on CBS Sports Network. American's Matt Rogers was credited with the game-winning bucket, driving in for a mid-range jumper in the middle of the arc at the three-second mark, during the Eagles' final possession of the second half. Andrew Phillips (17) and Alex Chaikin (16) were Lafayette's main options on the court as the only two in double figures. Foul shots played a large role in the contest, as Lafayette ended with 10-of-18 compared to American's 9-of-11.

Justin Vander Baan ranks second in the NCAA with 3.0 blocks per game and is sixth in the country for his 62 total blocks through 21 contests.

Next up, the Leopards hit the road to Holy Cross on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

THE MATCHUP
Bucknell finished the 2023-24 regular season at 14-19 (10-8 PL) overall. Prior to his current second season at the helm, head coach John Griffin helped lead Bucknell to four NCAA Tournament appearances as a former Bison: two as a player (2005, 2006) and two as an assistant coach (2017, 2018). The Bison return 11 letterwinners while adding three newcomers and a Davidson transfer to a program that finished fifth in the conference last year. Junior center Noah Williamson leads the squad with 16.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.5 apg. Bucknell (8-5) is currently tied for third in the Patriot League standings with Colgate and behind American and Army.

Third-year Leopard assistant coach Cameron Ayers graduated from Bucknell in 2014 following an accomplishment-filled basketball career. He was the 2014 Patriot League Player of the Year and is Bucknell's No. 10 all-time scorer with 1,526 career points.

Lafayette senior TJ Berger and Bucknell junior Quin Berger are brothers, although an on-court sibling matchup has not materialized just yet. TJ missed all of 2023-24 due to a preseason knee injury and Quin is out for this winter after suffering the same injury. 

A SUSTAINABLE SATURDAY
The annual Gameday Zero Waste Challenge returns to College Hill today against Bucknell. The Leopards are competing with other colleges around the nation to see who can reduce, recycle and compost the most at fall and spring sporting events. Lafayette is a global leader in sustainability that sets bold goals, embeds sustainability into the college experience and engages our campus community in the journey to carbon neutrality. College Hill is the first higher education institution in the Lehigh Valley to set a climate commitment and to continue to hold the most ambitious goal in the region: 100% reduction in emissions from the 2008 baseline by 2035 (currently at 42%). Learn more at tinyurl.com/28sob4wh.

BIG BLOCKER
Senior center Justin Vander Baan has blocked 62 shots this season, good for sixth in the country and first in the Patriot League. His 3.0 blocks per game average ranks second in the NCAA. He matched his career high of six swats at Navy on Jan. 5. As a program, Lafayette ranks first in the conference in blocks per game (3.5).

In three years wearing the Maroon and White, Vander Baan quickly climbed the program ranks to second all-time on College Hill with 168 career stops. After passing 2001 graduate Frank Barr's 160 blocks against American on Jan. 29, his sights are next set on first place: Robb Dill '04 with 191.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Justin Vander Baan has three double-doubles to his name this season. While hosting Stonehill on Dec. 29, the Northbridge, Mass. native recorded 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. On Jan. 8 at Bucknell, Vander Baan secured 14 points and 10 rebounds. Previously against Navy (Feb. 8), Vander Baan returned from illness to pocket 15 points and 13 rebounds. He leads the current Lafayette squad with six career double-doubles.

GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES
During the week of Jan. 24, three Leopards averaged double figures in points for the first time in 2024-25. Justin Vander Baan led the charge with 12.2, followed by freshman Alex Chaikin (11.7) and sophomore Andrew Phillips (10.0). Vander Baan (12.1), Chaikin (12.1) and first-year Caleb Williams (10.2) currently hold the streak.

PETTIT LARCENY
Junior guard Ryan Pettit has 39 steals in 26 games for the Leopards. The Westfield, N.J. native is leading the conference in total steals and is second in steals per game (1.6). He made a career-high four heists at George Washington on Dec. 18.

FIRST DAY OUT
Lafayette is fourth in the Patriot League in bench points per game at 20.1. Freshmen Alex Chaikin (56, fifth) and Caleb Williams (45, tenth) stand out in the conference for their total 3-pointers. Chaikin leads the Leopard squad in three-point shooting, knocking down 44 percent on 100+ attempts. Folabomi Fayemi secured the first 3-pointer of his career on Feb. 8 versus Navy in his five minutes on the court, helping the Leopards deter a crucial Midshipmen attempt to close the gap in the second half. All Lafayette freshmen have seen court time and contributed this winter.

PASS THE ROCK
Lafayette is currently third in the Patriot League for its 1.3 assist/turnover ratio and second for its 14.3 assists per game. Mark Butler leads the conference and sits at 40th in the NCAA with a 2.58 assist/turnover ratio. The Philadelphia, Pa. native has dished 80 assists and has kept to 31 turnovers so far this season.

A GAME OF NUMBERS
The Leopards are 9-1 in games when leading at halftime compared to 1-15 when trailing going into the break. Lafayette is also 7-5 when winning the opening tip-off, but 3-11 if it goes to the opponent. In games decided by three points or less, men's hoops is 1-5 in 2024-25.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Alumni & Senior Day will take place on Feb. 22 during the next installment of the Rivalry with Lehigh. Alumni may register for the full day of programming now at tinyurl.com/29f97f5x. Activities include morning shootaround with the team, a lunch and film session, both the men's and women's games against Lehigh, on-court recognitions and a postgame pig roast.  

FAMILIAR FOES
Lafayette has played 513 games against current Patriot League members. In conference play, the Leopards are 218-295 in the regular season and 25-31 in the Patriot League Tournament.

SHUFFLING STARTERS
Lafayette has used eight different starting lineups, featuring nine athletes, through 26 contests. Sophomore guard Mark Butler is the only Leopard to start every game this season. In the lineup (previously used 10 consecutive times), Butler and Justin Vander Baan are both returning starters while Caleb Williams, Alex Chaikin and Andrew Phillips are all fresh faces for 2024-25. Misha Bednostin filled in for Vander Baan on Feb. 5 due to illness.

WEEKLY LAURELS
Caleb Williams was the Patriot League Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week on Jan. 13. The Jacksonville, Fla. native picked up his first collegiate award after averaging 13 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game to help the Leopards split the previous week, including the 82-65 victory over Holy Cross. On Dec. 2, Alex Chaikin was named the Patriot League Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week. The Williamsburg, Va. native picked up his first collegiate award after compiling 34 points, 13 rebounds and two assists to help the Leopards finish 2-1 in the inaugural Lafayette Classic. 

ALUMNI IN THE PROS
On Dec. 21, Former Leopard captain and 1,000-point scorer Leo O'Boyle '23 re-signed with the Newcastle Falcons for summer 2025 after averaging 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last year in Australia. The Scranton, Pa. native also played his graduate season for Penn State and had a stint in Pully-Lausanne, Switzerland. On Jan. 15, he scored 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Foxes in a 106-98 loss in the Swiss League.

On. Jan. 22, E.J. Stephens '21 was added to the 2025 NBL1 roster for the Newcastle Falcons alongside O'Boyle and Myles Cherry '20. The 6'3 guard is a dynamic scorer and had a standout collegiate career with the Leopards and at Minnesota University. The Plantation, Fla. native spent the 2023-24 season with the Cheshire Phoenix in England's SLB (formerly BBL). 

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS
Lafayette's athletic programs stood out among the nation's best on Nov. 20 in the NCAA's Division I annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) release. College Hill claimed a 97 percent GSR overall based on the 19 sports measured. Sixteen Leopard teams, including men's basketball, achieved a graduation success rate of 100 percent. Following the 2023-24 season, Luka Savicevic and Justin Vander Baan were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court. The men's hoops program was crowned a Team of Academic Excellence for completing the year with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

RECENT RENOVATIONS
Kirby Sports Center, the Leopards' home arena, has seen major upgrades over the past year. A state-of-the art Daktronics control and video display system can now be seen above center court, showcasing promotional team videos and updated branding to enhance the fan experience. By featuring Daktronics' latest version of Show and Venus Control Suite, it allows Lafayette to expand on in-game presentations. Lafayette fans may order birthday video board messages for display during the remaining home basketball games at tinyurl.com/yslx5esh.

OH CAPTAIN
TJ Berger and Justin Vander Baan will provide senior leadership for the Leopards in their second consecutive year as captains, aided by junior Ryan Pettit.

TOTALLY BOARD
Sophomore center Misha Bednostin collected a team- and career-high 15 rebounds in a win over Penn on Nov. 12.

PREVIOUS POSTINGS
Lafayette returns 10 players, including five seniors, most of whom saw significant playing time last season. 
The Maroon and White hosted a total of six non-conference games while traveling to seven opponents before conference play. Lafayette completed the first half of the year with a 5-8 record, including a 4-2 total at home. The Leopards concluded 2023-24 with an 11-21 (10-8 PL) overall record, advancing to the Patriot League Tournament's quarterfinal round. 

LAFAYETTE ON ESPN+
A reminder that the Patriot League is paired with ESPN and you will be able to find conference games on ESPN+ with the same high broadcast quality you've come to expect. ESPN+ is a subscription-based service that offers monthly and yearly packages. Visit plus.espn.com now to check out the bundles including live sports and originals.

SEASON TWO
Mike McGarvey took over as the 20th head coach in Lafayette men's basketball history on March 29, 2023, following a one-year tenure as the associate head coach and acting head coach. In 2022-23, he led the Leopards to Patriot League Tournament victories over Lehigh in the quarterfinal round and American in the semifinal, before falling to Colgate in the championship game.

He arrived on College Hill after a four-year tenure as the men's basketball head coach at Lycoming College where he led the program to three-straight MAC Freedom Conference championship games, including two conference crowns.