They're listed among the heavyweights of college basketball right now: Gonzaga, Baylor, Michigan, and Villanova, to name a few. But, unlike all the other teams in the top 10 of the NET rankings this week, No. 9 Colgate probably needs to win its conference tournament to have a chance at making the NCAA's this year.

"To be honest, I haven't thought about it at all," said Raiders' coach Matt Langel in a Zoom interview Thursday afternoon. "It's not something that's been on our radar."

What You Need To Know

  • Colgate (11-1) is the 2nd seed in the 2021 Patriot League Tournament

  • The Raiders are No. 9 in the latest NET rankings, a determining factor for teams trying to make the NCAA tournament field

  • Colgate hosts Boston University in the PL quarterfinals Saturday, looking to avenge a loss to the Terriers in last year's championship game

  • The Raiders and Terriers square off at Cotterell Court Saturday at 1:00 pm

Because of a variety of COVID-related cancellations, the Raiders' 20-game schedule has been whittled down to just 12 games this season, heading into Saturday's PL tournament quarterfinal game at Cotterell Court. They've won 11 of those contests, including all six of their road games.

But, though they're a hefty 7-1 against Quadrant 2 and 3 competition, none of Colgate's wins are considered Quad 1, which is one of the most important determining factors the NCAA committee will be taking into account on Selection Sunday. So, should the Raiders fail to win the PL tournament and secure the automatic bid that goes with it, despite their lofty NET ratings, it's probably off to the NIT.

"Our job is to win every game that's in front of us, and if we can do that, we control our own destiny," Langel said. "As we've learned, if you're in control of your own destiny, that's the best way. You can only control what's in front of you."

What's in front at the moment is Boston University, one of just three teams Colgate has faced this season along with Army and Holy Cross. The Raiders are a perfect 4-0 against the Terriers this year, but still haven't quite avenged a bitter loss at the end of last season.

BU beat Colgate on its home floor to win the PL Championship last March, ending the Raiders' bid for a repeat. It also brought a close to Colgate's season, a day before the rest of the college basketball postseason was cancelled because of the virus. Now, one year later, the Gate has a chance to return the favor and show BU the door.

"Any time you start to have a competitive history with another program, it's significant," said Langel, who was named Patriot League Coach of the Year the last three seasons. "The fact we've already played them four times this season, and found a way to come out on top, that probably adds to it, whether it motivates us or them more, I don't really know. What we talk about is playing the game on Saturday, and the identity of that game is still to be determined."

Despite the fact they've only played 12 games amid several virus-related starts and stops this season, Langel says the Raiders have also not missed a single day of practice. That continuity is what has the coach convinced this team, led by 2021 Patriot League Player of the Year Jordan Burns, is ready to begin postseason play, and perhaps a run at its second NCAA tournament in three seasons.

"Certainly it's been a different year, and the build up and the experiences have been significantly different than any other year," he said. "But, it's still March, and you're playing for a chance to go to the NCAA tournament, which is every childhood dream. So, that's where you are, you try to keep your guys in the moment, and focused on the task at hand."