American Eagles men's basketball

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American Eagles
2024–25 American Eagles men's basketball team
UniversityAmerican University
Head coachDuane Simpkins (2nd season)
ConferencePatriot
LocationWashington, D.C.
ArenaBender Arena
(capacity: 3,044)
NicknameEagles
Student sectionBlue Crew
ColorsBlue, white, and red[1]
     
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1958*, 1959*, 1960*
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1958*, 1959*, 1960*
NCAA tournament appearances
1958*, 1959*, 1960*, 2008, 2009, 2014
*at Division II level
Conference tournament champions
2008, 2009, 2014
Conference regular season champions
ECC: 1975, 1981, 1983,
Patriot League: 2002, 2004 (co-champion), 2008, 2009

The American Eagles men's basketball team represents American University in Washington, D.C. in NCAA Division I competition. The school's team competes in the Patriot League and play their home games in Bender Arena. Their rivals include the Boston University Terriers, Bucknell Bison, and Navy Midshipmen. Duane Simpkins was appointed the program's 18th head coach on April 1, 2023.[2]

Postseason history

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NCAA Division I Tournament results

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The Eagles have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament three times. Their combined record is 0–3.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2008 #15 First round #2 Tennessee L 57–72
2009 #14 First round #3 Villanova L 67–80
2014 #15 First round #2 Wisconsin L 35–75

2007–08 season

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In 2008, the Eagles earned their first ever bid to the NCAA Division I tournament by defeating Colgate in the final round of the Patriot League tournament. The Eagles were seeded 15th against #2 Tennessee. American held tight against the Volunteers most of the game, but Tennessee pulled away to win 72–57.

2008–09 season

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In 2009, the Eagles would again earn entry to the NCAA Division I tournament by defeating Holy Cross 73–57 to win the Patriot League tournament for a second consecutive year. They were seeded 14th and faced off against #3 Villanova. The Eagles held a lead for most of the game and led by 10 points at halftime, but eventually lost 80–67 after a significant Wildcats comeback.

2013–14 season

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American earned the Patriot League's automatic berth to the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a 55–36 win over Boston University on Wed., March 12 at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass in the Patriot League tournament final.

In their first season under coach Mike Brennan, the second-seeded Eagles led from start to finish in the decisive victory while holding the top-seeded Terriers to the lowest point total in Patriot League Championship game history. American point guard Darius Gardner scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and was named Tournament MVP.

The Eagles advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time since winning their second of back-to-back titles in 2009. They played Wisconsin and lost 75–35

NCAA Division II Tournament results

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The Eagles have appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament three times. Their combined record is 6–3.

Year Round Opponent Result
1958 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Buffalo
Wagner
Evansville
W 77–60
W 72–65
L 72–82
1959 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Adelphi
Hofstra
North Carolina A&T
W 80–73
W 66–65
L 70–87
1960 Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite Eight
Upsala
Fairfield
Evansville
W 83–74
W 75–74
L 91–101

NAIA Tournament results

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The Eagles have appeared in the NAIA tournament two times. Their combined record is 0–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
1950 First round Pepperdine L 53–54
1951 First round Baldwin–Wallace L 66–67

NIT results

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The Eagles have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) three times. Their combined record is 0–3.

Year Round Opponent Result
1973 First round Louisville L 84–97
1981 First round Toledo L 83–91
1982 First round Bradley L 65–76

CIT results

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The Eagles have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) one time. Their record is 0–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2012 First round Buffalo L 61–78

See also

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References

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  1. ^ American University Creative Style Guide. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  2. ^ "Duane Simpkins Selected as 18th Head Coach of American University Men’s Basketball," American University Athletics, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
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