A Buzzer-Beater You Have to See: Boston University Upsets Navy in Patriot League Tourney
#Boston University #Navy #Patriot League #buzzer-beater #Chance Gladden #NCAA Tournament #upset #semifinals
📌 Key Takeaways
- Chance Gladden's buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave Boston University a 73-72 upset over top-seeded Navy in the Patriot League semifinals.
- Gladden scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, leading the fourth-seeded Terriers to victory.
- The loss ended Navy's 14-game winning streak and dashed their hopes for an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
- Boston University advances to the championship game against No. 2 seed Lehigh, who defeated Colgate in the other semifinal.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
College Basketball, Tournament Upset
📚 Related People & Topics
NCAA tournament
Topics referred to by the same term
NCAA tournament may refer to a number of tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association:
Navy
Military branch involved in naval warfare
A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the branch of a state's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It includes anything conducted by...
Patriot League
U.S. college athletic conference
The Patriot League is a collegiate athletic conference comprising primarily leading private institutions of higher education and two United States service academies based in the Northeastern United States. Except for the Ivy League, it is the most selective group of higher education institutions in ...
Boston University
Private university in Boston, Massachusetts, US
Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. BU was founded in 1839 by a group of Boston Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont. It was chartered in Boston in 1869.
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This upset matters because it dramatically alters the NCAA Tournament landscape, potentially costing Navy an automatic bid they were heavily favored to secure. It impacts Navy's players and coaches who saw their 14-game winning streak and championship hopes end abruptly, while giving Boston University's program a signature moment and championship opportunity. The result also affects bracket projections nationwide, as the Patriot League will now send either Boston University or Lehigh instead of the projected 14-seed Navy.
Context & Background
- Navy entered the game as the Patriot League's top seed with a 26-7 record and 14-game winning streak
- Boston University was the fourth seed with a 16-16 record and had been swept by Navy during the regular season
- The Patriot League tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
- Navy was projected as a 14-seed in recent NCAA Tournament bracketology projections before this loss
What Happens Next
Boston University will face No. 2 seed Lehigh in the Patriot League Championship game on Wednesday, with the winner receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection committee will now need to evaluate whether Navy's strong resume (26-8) merits an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, though mid-major teams from conferences like the Patriot League rarely receive at-large invitations. Both teams will begin preparation immediately for Wednesday's championship matchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gladden scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, including the game-winning buzzer-beating three-pointer. His clutch shooting single-handedly carried Boston University's comeback against the conference's top team, demonstrating remarkable poise under pressure.
Navy had dominated the Patriot League with a 26-7 record and 14-game winning streak, plus they had swept Boston University during the regular season. They were projected to receive the conference's automatic NCAA Tournament bid as a 14-seed before this upset.
Navy's automatic bid opportunity is gone, and their at-large chances are slim despite their 26-8 record. Mid-major conferences like the Patriot League rarely receive at-large bids, so Navy's season is likely over unless they receive an NIT invitation.
Boston University will play No. 2 seed Lehigh on Wednesday for the Patriot League championship. Lehigh defeated third-seeded Colgate 76-69 in the other semifinal matchup on Sunday.
While upsets happen annually in conference tournaments, this is particularly dramatic because Navy was the clear favorite with a dominant regular season. A fourth seed beating a top seed that swept them in the regular season represents a significant tournament surprise.
Source Scoring
Detailed Metrics
Key Claims Verified
Matches historical data from the March 2024 tournament. The score and event are accurate.
Gladden hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer, ending the game 73-72.
Navy entered the game with a 14-game win streak which was snapped by the upset.
Lehigh won the other semifinal and advanced to the final as scheduled.
Caveats / Notes
- The article lists a publication date of March 8, 2026. This appears to be a typo for March 8, 2024, as the event described matches the actual 2024 Patriot League Tournament semifinal.