OPENING TIP
Lafayette men's basketball continues the second round of Patriot League matchups against Army, concluding the 2024-25 regular season homestand. After this game, Lafayette has one road trip to Boston U. remaining before the conference tournament begins on March 4.

Previously in the series, the Leopards held off Army until a last-second buzzer-beating verdict, 70-68, on Jan. 15 in Christl Arena. Army's final drawn play for Jalen Rucker left the senior guard credited with the game-winning mid-range jumper as time expired. Senior center Justin Vander Baan paced four Leopards in double figures with 17 points, five blocks, three rebounds and two assists. Overall, the Maroon and White shot 54 percent from the floor and recorded nine shots from long distance.

Last time out, Vander Baan recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead Lafayette to a 78-70 win over rival Lehigh on Saturday evening at Kirby Sports Center. The Leopards have now claimed 150 series victories over the Mountain Hawks since the inception of the men's basketball rivalry on Jan. 27, 1902. Lafayette leads the all-time series vs. Lehigh, 150-98.

On Feb. 17, freshman guard Alex Chaikin received the second weekly conference honor of his collegiate career. The Rookie of the Week averaged 19.5 points against American (Feb. 10) and Bucknell (Feb. 15). He improved his career high to 23 points against the Bison, knocking down four 3-pointers and a team-high 7-of-11 from the foul line.

Next up, the Leopards travel to Boston U. on Saturday for a 7 p.m. start.

THE MATCHUP
Army finished the 2023-24 regular season at 10-22 (6-13 PL) overall. The Crusaders return 15 letterwinners while adding nine newcomers to a program that finished eighth in the conference last year. Senior guard Jalen Rucker leads the squad with 187.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 3.2 apg. Rucker now sits sixth all-time on Army's scoring list, as well as sits in 26th on the NCAA Div. I active career scoring list (15.7 ppg). Rucker earned 10 points, seven rebounds and a team-high seven assists on Wednesday against American. With one more win in Patriot League play, the Black Knights will officially break the record for most wins in league play in program history. The program's record currently sits at ten wins in Patriot League play, which including this season, has happened four times in program history. At 10-6, Army is currently in third place in the Patriot League standings.

MARCH AWAITS
Conference play is winding down as Lafayette has one regular season game remaining at Boston U. on March 1. The 2025 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship will begin with two first round games on Tuesday, March 4 and continue with four quarterfinal-round matches on Thursday, March 6. The two semifinal rounds will be played on Sunday, March 9. The PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship Game is scheduled to be played on Wednesday, March 12. American leads the way with a 12-4 record, followed by Bucknell's 11-5. Both teams have clinched a first-round bye and a quarterfinal home game.

BIG BLOCKER
Senior center Justin Vander Baan has blocked 68 shots this season, good for seventh in the country and first in the Patriot League. His 2.8 blocks per game average ranks third in the NCAA. He matched his career high of six swats at Navy on Jan. 5. As a program, Lafayette is first in the conference in blocks per game (3.4).

In three years wearing the Maroon and White, Vander Baan quickly climbed the program ranks to second all-time on College Hill with 174 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 four double-doubles to his name this season (fourth highest amount in the conference). 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. In the 150th Rivalry win versus Lehigh, he netted 17 points and collected 10 rebounds. He leads the current Lafayette squad with seven 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 (12.3), Chaikin (12.4) and first-year Caleb Williams (10.8) currently hold the streak.

PETTIT LARCENY
Junior guard Ryan Pettit has 41 steals in 29 games for the Leopards. The Westfield, N.J. native is third in the conference in total steals and is fifth in steals per game (1.5). 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 19.7. Freshmen Alex Chaikin (62, fourth) stands out in the conference for his total 3-pointers. Chaikin leads the Leopard squad in three-point shooting, knocking down 45 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 en route to the 61-51 win. All Lafayette freshmen have seen court time and contributed this winter.

PASS THE ROCK
Lafayette is currently second in the Patriot League for its 1.3 assist/turnover ratio and its 14.4 assists per game. Up to Feb. 15, Mark Butler ranked seventh in the conference 40th in the NCAA with a 2.58 assist/turnover ratio. The Philadelphia, Pa. native dished 80 assists and kept to 31 turnovers so far this season before checking out due to injury versus Bucknell on Feb. 15.

A GAME OF NUMBERS
The Leopards are 10-1 in games when leading at halftime compared to 1-17 when trailing going into the break. Lafayette is also 8-7 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.

FAMILIAR FOES
Lafayette has played 516 games against current Patriot League members. In conference play, the Leopards are 219-297 in the regular season and 25-31 in the Patriot League Tournament.

SHUFFLING STARTERS
Lafayette has used 10 different starting lineups, featuring 11 athletes, through 29 contests. Sophomore guard Mark Butler was the only Leopard to start every game until Feb. 15. In the most used lineup (previously 10 consecutive games), 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. On Feb. 19, Pettit returned for Chaikin (illness) and Luka Savicevic stood in for Butler. While hosting Lehigh, TJ Berger made his first start of the season.

WEEKLY LAURELS
On Feb. 17, Alex Chaikin received his second weekly conference honor. The Rookie of the Week averaged 19.5 points against American (Feb. 10) and Bucknell (Feb. 15). He improved his career high to 23 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor and four 3-pointers against the Bison and totaled 16 points, four rebounds and two assists while at the Eagles.

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, 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. 

LAFAYETTE ON ESPN+
A reminder that the Patriot League is paired with ESPN and you will be able to find all remaining conference games on ESPN+ with the same high quality broadcast 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.

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. 

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. McGarvey guided the Warriors to a remarkable resurgence in his second year as head coach, taking the team from a 5-11 conference record in 2018-19 to a 10-6 mark in 2019-20 while managing a roster filled with a school-record 11 freshmen.