Teams: American (3-6) at San Francisco (6-5)
Date and Location: Sun., Dec. 22, 2013, 5 p.m., EST – War Memorial Gym, San Francisco, Calif.
Series: 2nd meeting; American trails 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 67-53– Washington, D.C. (Nov. 17, 2012)
Radio: Federal News Radio 1050AM – Dain Laing (play-by-play), Jeremy Huber (analyst)
Game Notes
The American University men's basketball team plays its second-straight West Coast Conference opponent on Sunday, December 22, playing at San Francisco at 5 p.m., EST.
Fans in the D.C.-metro area can tune in to Federal News Radio 1050AM to listen to the radio broadcast with Dan Laing and Jeremy Huber calling the action. For those outside the area, log on to FederalNewsRadio.com to listen to the internet stream.
American and San Francisco met for the first time last season in Bender Arena, with the Dons earning a 67-53 victory on November 17.
Last time out, the Eagles faced the undefeated Saint Mary's Gaels in McKeon Pavilion, falling 59-44. SMC has now posted its best start in program history and is receiving votes in both national polls.
Junior point guard Darius Gardner notched 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting and was joined by classmate Kyle Kager with a team-high 13 points. Rookie big man Yilret Yiljep grabbed a career-high five boards to lead the Eagles.
American boasts four players in double digit scoring this year as Gardner (11.2 ppg) is joined by senior Tony Wroblicky (10.6 ppg), junior John Schoof (11.1 ppg) and sophomore Jesse Reed (11.6 ppg).
AU's defense has been some of the best in the county so far this season. The Eagles entered the week ranked 16th in the nation in scoring defense (60.5 ppg), 20th in 3-point field goal defense (27.0%) and 51st in field goal percentage defense (39.8%).
Scouting San Francisco
USF, coming off an 81-57 loss at St. John's this past Wednesday boast wins over Cleveland State (91-82), Montana (75-74) and Vermont (72-61) with losses to Nevada (92-90) and Oregon (100-82). The matchup versus AU will be the Don's final nonconference game of the season.
San Francisco has three players averaging double-digit points, led by Cole Dickerson with 14.4 ppg as well as a team-high 7.6 rpg. Kruize Pinkins, USF's sixth man, averages 12.7 ppg and is second on the squad with 6.4 rpg. Starting point guard Cody Doolin, who was second on the team with 13.0 ppg and a team-high 7.0 apg, left the team after four games this year.
Head coach Rex Walters is in his sixth season at the helm of the Dons with a 77-82 overall mark entering this year. Walters guiding USF to its first 20-win season 30 years in 2011-12.
More on the Eagles
Wroblicky had the best offensive game of his career on last Wednesday versus Howard, hitting 11-of-12 shots for a personal best, 23 points. The senior center finished with 12 rebounds while adding a career-high three steals. Last Saturday marked Wroblicky's 100th career game in the red, white & blue and he is now 20 rebounds away from 500.
Schoof has got it going from distance, hitting 11-of-21 attempts from beyond the arc in his last four games. Schoof, who recently eclipsed the 100 3-pointers made mark in his career, ranks seventh all-time in Patriot League history with 41.2 percent from deep, one spot ahead of AU great Garrison Carr (40.9).
Gardner continues to excel in his first season with the Eagles, leading the team with 4.2 apg, 2.2 spg. "Pee Wee" leads the Patriot League in minutes played (36.6).
Yiljep continues to improve in the post for AU, averaging 7.6 ppg, shooting .563 percent from the field with 10 rebounds over his past three games.
Social Media Insider
Be sure to follow American University men's basketball on Twitter for live, in-game updates and like the Eagles on Facebook for inside looks at the team.
Next Up
AU continues its five-game road swing on Sunday, December 29 at 2 p.m. at Maryland-Eastern Shore; American's final nonconference game of the 2013-14 season.
American University Athletics is proud to announce a special offer for fans and alumni to cheer on the Eagles in 2014. For just $55, the "Holiday 4-Pack" provides a sideline reserved ticket to four marquee match-ups to start the new year. Click here for more info and to buy now!
