American was sensational on Wednesday night, shooting 51.9% from the floor and 11-of-25 from behind the arc. The Eagles never trailed in the game and led by as many as 24.
The team’s leading scorer, graduate student Matt Rogers (16.8 PPG), had a team-high 25 points (10-of-17 FG) and eight rebounds. His efficiency has been on full display all season by shooting at a 55.5% clip. He was named to the All-Patriot League First Team as a result of his season-long performance for the Eagles.
American (22-12, 13-5 Patriot League) went on a tear in conference play, winning seven straight in the early portion of the league schedule. It will take a four-game winning streak into the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles are one of the most experienced teams in the country. Led by head coach Duane Simpkins, 10 of American’s 17 players are either juniors or seniors.
Along with Rogers, graduate student Lincoln Ball has been a key component for the team all season and hit a clutch buzzer-beater to take down Lehigh during American’s seven-game win streak. Senior Elijah Stephens has been solid on both ends of the floor and has averaged the second-most points on the team (10.7 PPG), only behind Rogers.
While the experience has been a driving force for the team this season, sophomore guard Greg Jones has stepped up and been a lockdown defender for the team, earning Patriot League All-Defensive team honors.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi currently has American as a 16-seed as of Wednesday night. As things stand, the Eagles would face Northeast Conference champions St. Francis (PA) in the First Four, with the winner advancing to take on the No. 1 seed Duke in the first round. With a NET ranking of 237 and a 0-4 record against Quad 1 and 2 opponents, that would be a huge step up in competition for the Eagles.
One certainty about this team is it is battle-tested. The Eagles opened the season with four road games in a five-game span. Despite the early adversity going 1-4, American turned its season around and finished the regular season as co-champions in the Patriot League with Bucknell.
With wins over Lafayette, Colgate and Navy, American enters the NCAA Tournament as Patriot League Tournament champions and finally puts to rest its 11-year drought of not making the “Big Dance.”
If the seeding holds true, it would be hard to imagine the Eagles taking down a one-seed, although crazier things have happened. However, if their initial stop is the First Four, they will be a difficult matchup for whoever faces them.
