The American University men’s basketball team is on a roll, but can they keep it going? I see no reason why not.
The team has done themselves a huge favor by co-winning the Patriot League regular season championship. This means they’re guaranteed to play at least their quarterfinal and semifinal Patriot League Tournament games at Bender Arena, where they went 8-1 in conference play.
Earlier this season, I asked if this program could end their mediocrity, and it looks like we’ll finally be getting an answer. They could end the mediocrity by simply going undefeated in conference play the rest of the year, which would also mean winning the Patriot League Tournament championship and getting a berth to the NCAA tournament, known as March Madness.
I see this situation as the only possible positive outcome of this season. With the Eagles finishing first in the conference, losing in the tournament would be unacceptable and disappointing.
Despite some injuries a couple of weeks ago, the team has kept up their winning efforts, going 5-2 in their last seven games of the regular season. Graduate student forward Matt Rogers, Patriot League preseason player of the year, is averaging over 18 points per conference game. Three others are also averaging points in the double digits.
This diverse scoring method is a winning tactic for the Eagles that they need to continue into the Patriot League Tournament to claim a title.
Should the Eagles win the Patriot League Tournament, they will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, marking their first appearance since 2014. American is projected to be a 16-seed playing in the “First Four” in Dayton, Ohio, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, a top bracketologist.
In the First Four, the Eagles would face another 16-seed, likely a team of another mid-major conference school that won its conference tournament. I believe that American has a real shot at winning a game like this and earning their first ever win in a NCAA Division I tournament game.
After that game, the Eagles would face the brutal task of taking on a top team in the country, a 1-seed. Teams like Duke, Auburn, Alabama or Florida would likely face American in the first round. Only two 16-seeds have beaten a 1-seed in March Madness history, including the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and I do not expect that American will be the third.
To call this season successful, the Eagles need to win this upcoming Patriot League Tournament and then put up a good fight in the NCAA tournament. Head coach Duane Simpkins has this program headed in the right direction and will continue to take it to new heights.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower, Penelope Jennings and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella, Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Nicole Kariuki and Hannah Langenfeld.
