After a 5-2 start for the men’s basketball team and a 7-0 mark for the women halfway through the conference schedule, it’s possibile both teams could be dancing come March.
Men’s team exceeding preseason expectations
Picked fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, the men’s basketball team has surpassed the most optimistic of preseason expectations. The Eagles are tied for second place in the conference, with home games remaining against first-place Bucknell University and second-place Lehigh University.
The Eagles have outscored conference opponents by more than seven points per game, due in large part to the play of forward Charles Hinkle.
Hinkle leads AU in both scoring and rebounding, averaging more than 19 points and five rebounds per game. One of the reasons Hinkle has been so effective is because of point guard Daniel Munoz, who leads the PL with 4.2 assists per game. Having played in every game of his AU career, Munoz has done a terrific job running the offense while starting in all 22 contests this season.
If the Eagles hope to compete for the top seed in the Patriot League Tournament, guard Troy Brewer and center Tony Wroblicky are central to the equation.
Brewer has had his ups and downs through the first half of the conference schedule. However, he’s been limited by injuries, and his health and consistency will play a large role in determining AU’s postseason achievements.
Wroblicky is important down low because he can give the Eagles a productive player inside in a league that doesn’t flaunt a lot of highly talented big men.
Women’s team aiming for championships
On the women’s side, Head Coach Matt Corkery’s squad has gotten off to a 7-0 start and hopes to make the NCAA Tournament and win the Patriot League Tournament for the first time in school history.
AU is first in the conference in scoring margin (+3.2) and second in scoring defense. The Eagles have been active on the defensive end all season, tallying the most steals per contest (10.4) and having the best turnover margin (+2.7) in the Patriot League.
Women’s team member, Lisa Strack is helping the Eagles in every category, as she leads the Patriot League in steals with 56.
Strack is also in the top 10 in the Patriot League in scoring, rebounds and assists, contributing all over the stat sheet this season for the Eagles.
Alexis Dobbs has followed up a strong freshman season with a solid sophomore campaign, as she is second on the team in points, assists and steals. Dobbs has been very productive for the Eagles, helping a defense that has forced a combined 65 turnovers in their past two games.
Following losses in the Patriot League Championship in the last two seasons, the Eagles know how important it is to finish atop the conference and earn home-court advantage throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, the team’s toughest matchups will be against Army and Lehigh. AU will visit Lehigh Feb. 8, while the Black Knights will head to Bender Arena Feb. 18.
