Timmy Gleason ’28
Staff Writer
The Holy Cross Men’s Basketball team has fought tooth and nail in every single competition so far this season. The remainder of the Crusaders’ regular season schedule features Patriot League opponents, and each game provides the Crusaders with the opportunity to make some waves to win the historic title of Patriot League Champions.
The Crusader Men’s Basketball 2024/25 campaign started all the way back in early November against a Wisconsin Badgers team that is currently fourth in a very competitive Big Ten conference, above the likes of UCLA, Oregon, USC, and Indiana. Despite a loss against the Badgers and then against the Rhode Island Rams, the Crusaders rattled off four consecutive wins, three of which came in the College Hill Classic, to generate some early-season momentum.
Now, looking forward to the remaining plethora of games, the Crusaders will set their sights on adding to their win total, which already exceeds last year’s ten wins. The team’s eleven wins to this point in the season, Feb. 2 when this article was written, showcases their growth and development.
Winning their upcoming games this week, away at Army West Point (12-10 overall and second in the Patriot League) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 before time of print, and at home versus Boston University (11-12 overall and fifth in the Patriot League) on Saturday, Feb. 8, could prove to be extremely beneficial for the Crusaders’ late season momentum push.
Due to other competitions that occurred earlier this week, including the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds taking on the Lafayette Leopards, who both sat just above the Crusaders in the Patriot League standings at the time this article was written, Holy Cross could begin to leapfrog teams at a rapid pace if fortune falls their way.
Beginning on Feb. 12, the Crusaders will embark on potentially the hardest stretch of their season. Facing off against the Colgate Raiders (9-14 overall and fourth in the Patriot League) will be first on the card. An away game against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks(8-13 overall and tenth in the Patriot League) followed by a home game against the Lafayette Leopards (9-14 overall and eighth in the Patriot League) represent Holy Cross’ ensuing games.
This string of games will be absolutely crucial as to where the Crusaders will finish their season, and to whether they are granted a possible postseason bid. With the majority of games left to be played, the men’s basketball squad can be absolutely confident in their abilities to finish the season strong just like how they started. The Crusaders are currently averaging 62 points per game, which rivals the best teams in their conference such as American University, Army West Point, and Bucknell (holding first, second, and third position in the Patriot League currently and respectively), teams that average just above 70 points per game.
Before the conclusion of the season on March 1 against the Bucknell Bisons (10-13 overall and third in the Patriot League), the Crusaders will take on the Colgate Raiders in Hamilton, NY in a reverse fixture, on Feb. 26, and then on Feb. 23, Holy Cross will play the Navy Midshipmen (8-15 overall and sixth in the Patriot League).
The remaining games will undoubtedly be tough. Holy Cross’ competitors have played against some of the best teams in the country. American University faced off against the University of Virginia Cavaliers, as did the Crusaders, the Army Black Knights faced the Duke Blue Devils, and the Bucknell Bisons battled the Kentucky Wildcats. The opposing teams are battle-hardened, but the Crusaders are equally matched and will certainly bring the same intensity they have all season to conclude their 2024/25 regular season with some dubs.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Copy Edited by Lily Wasmund ’28
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ’28
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