American Eagles
Patriot (20-12, 13-5)
Back in mid-February it looked like American was losing some of their steam. The Eagles had lost four of five contests and, more importantly, the defense was looking shaky. But Coach Mike Brennan turned things around in March and his team played three great games to win the Patriot League tournament title and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 1/5 at Holy Cross (67-52), 1/22 Boston U. (86-56), 2/1 Holy Cross (63-57)
Bad Losses: 2/5 at Loyola (MD) (58-62), 2/8 Colgate (60-63), 2/15 at Lafayette (62-74)
Coach: Mike Brennan (1 year at American)
Why They Can Surprise:
In those three tournament contests, American allowed just 132 points. That is 132 points total in three games. With such a stout defense, the Eagles can make things interesting in the NCAA Tournament. On the year, American allows about 59 points per game, ranking tenth in the country. They also rank in the top ten in field goal percentage. The efficient shooting mostly comes from 6-10 center Tony Wroblicky, who shoots 58.8 percent from the floor. Based on the field goal percentage numbers, one would think that this is a frontcourt orientated team. While the offense will certainly work through Wroblicky, guards Jesse Reed, John Schoof and Darius Gardner are the other double digit scorers for the Eagles. Reed and Schoof are the most dangerous three-point shooters on the team. Reed hits 46.8 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and the opposition will always have to keep an eye on him.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The efficiency on both ends of the floor can quickly be negated through turnovers and rebounding. The Eagles commit nearly 14 turnovers per contest and that is way too many for a team that is not running up and down the floor. Gardner is a good point guard and a great defender, but he needs to lead the team and make sure the scoring threats are getting the ball in a position where they can do something with it. Every possession is terribly important on both ends of the floor in the NCAA Tournament, especially for this team, and American must make the most out of nearly every single one if they are to pull off an upset.
Probable Starters:
Darius Gardner, Junior, Guard, 11.5 ppg, 4.2 apg, 2.1 spg
John Schoof, Junior, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 2.2 apg
Jesse Reed, Sophomore, Guard, 13.9 ppg, 1.7 apg
Kyle Kager, Junior, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Tony Wroblicky, Senior, Center, 12.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Charlie Jones, Freshman, Guard, 2.1 ppg
Marko Vasic, Sophomore, Guard, 4.0 ppg, 1.3 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.2 (312th in nation, 9th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.4 (10, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.3 (10, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (82, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (141, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.1 (45, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.6 (151, 7)
Rebound Margin: 0.8 (166, 3)
Assists Per Game: 15.3 (34, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.9 (296, 10)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 CIT First Round loss to Buffalo
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Villanova
2008 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Tennessee
1982 NIT First round loss to Bradley
1981 NIT First round loss to Toledo
*all team stats through 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
