American basketball will be headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, after dominating Navy in the Patriot League Tournament Championship.
General Information:
Team: American
Location: Washington, D.C.
Record: 22-12 (13-5)
Head Coach: Duane Simpkins (2nd season, both at American)
What to know about American basketball:
American basketball was picked to finish second in the Patriot League, only behind the four-time defending conference champions Colgate. At the end of the regular season, the Eagles grabbed the second seed in the conference tournament, a loss from the No. 1 seed Bucknell gave the Eagles home court advantage. As they dominated their way back to The Big Dance.
American does not jump off the page in any specific statistical category. Instead, their slow pace and decent efficiency from the field are the primary focuses for the Eagles. American basketball shoots 44.3% from the field and 34.7% from behind the arc. According to KenPom, they also rank 349th in adjusted tempo, with just 63.7 possessions per 40 minutes.
They are led by 6-foot-9 forward Matt Rogers who can stretch the floor and score from the painted area. This season Rogers averaged 17 points per game while shooting 55% from the floor and 39.9% from three. The graduate student can take over games, like his 25-point performance in the championship.
However, the Eagles rely on platoon-style scoring, with Elijah Stephens and Greg Jones averaging in double-figures. Jones also finished the season second in the Patriot League in three-point percentage at 45.1%.
If the fundamentally sound Eagles can embrace the pace and ride the momentum, they have the opportunity to challenge for a win in the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament prediction for American basketball: Round of 64 Exit
Actual seed: 16
American basketball will play Mount St. Mary’s in a DMV battle for a spot in the main bracket.
While 16 seeds have beaten a 1 before, beating Duke (especially if Cooper Flagg plays) seems like an incredibly tall task. Literally, with Khaman Maluach, at over 7-feet tall. Regardless, the Eagles have a good shot at taking down Mount St. Mary’s who were the 6 seed in their conference tournament.
[…] an advantage if they control the tempo. However, even with Mount St. Mary’s turnover struggles, American has not been effective in forcing […]