Projected finish: Third of 10 in Patriot League
Game to watch: Jan. 24 vs. Bucknell. The Midshipmen faced the Bison three times last season and lost to the Patriot League champion each time. Navy was blown out at Bucknell but hung around at home and in the conference tournament semifinals, losing by a combined nine points. Familiarity should make for more interesting meetings this season, as the Bison return five starters and the Mids bring back four.
Best-case scenario: Senior guard Shawn Anderson and an experienced starting five lead a steadily improving program to its best season yet under coach Ed DeChellis, including a top-two finish in the Patriot League.
Worst-case scenario: Last season’s bugaboos -- 3-point shooting (conference-worst 30.7 percent) and a leaky defense (opponents shot 45.5 percent overall) -- keep Navy from reaching the Patriot League’s top tier.
Did you know? Two of the Mids’ 10 freshmen, Alec Loehr and Luke Loehr, are identical twins from Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Alec is 1 inch taller (6 feet 8), 10 pounds lighter (215) and older by 33 minutes.