WASHINGTON – Before a three-week stretch that will include just one game, the American University men's basketball team wraps up a busy early-season schedule with a road trip to VMI on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. It's the second of four straight road games for the Eagles, but their only remaining games in December will be on the 21st and 29th.
Quick Info
- Date/Time: Saturday, December 9; 1 pm
- Site: Lexington, Va. (Cameron Hall)
- Series History: American leads, 4-1
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Wade Branner, Grafton Young
Inside the Series
- There are five games on record between American and VMI, with AU leading 4-1, but two of those games were between 1930-34.
- Over the last six years, the Eagles have won all three meetings including a 69-61 victory at home a year ago.
- The last time AU traveled to Lexington on Nov. 27, 2018, the Eagles came away with a 74-64 win.
What to Know About American
- American is still looking for its first win on the road, coming up just short in two of its recent attempts. The Eagles were undefeated at home before having their streak snapped with a 75-73 loss to Saint Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 2. Saturday's contest at VMI marks the second of four straight road games for AU—all non-conference—before the Eagles start Patriot League play at home on Jan. 3.
- Senior Matt Rogers leads AU and ranks fourth in the PL with 15.5 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game, and averaged a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds in losses to Harvard and St. Francis. His field-goal percentage of .504 leads AU and ranks fifth in the PL.
- Despite a strong outing from junior Elijah Stephens with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, the Eagles' three-point shots failed them in a loss at Saint Joseph's on Dec. 6. Stephens is having a solid stretch, offensively, with 15 ppg over AU's last four games and a FG percentage of .641.
- On Nov. 26 against Hood College, AU scored the most points in a single game in 28 years, winning 103-74. AU made a program-record 19 three-pointers, with sophomore Geoff Sprouse hitting seven of those. Sprouse ranks third in the PL with 2.4 3-pt FG per game.
- First-year head coach Duane Simpkins has four career victories and has brought a new energy to the program. The Eagles run a faster offense and so far are averaging eight more points per game than in 2022-23, and making 3.4 more 3-point field goals per game.
What to Know About VMI
- VMI comes into Saturday's game with a 2-7 record on the season. The Keydets are in search of their first victory over a Division I opponent this season. Thus far, their two wins have come against Christendom (87-53 on Nov. 9) and Clarks Summit (100-63 on Nov 25).
- American will be the second Patriot League opponent for VMI. The Keydets lost at Navy on Nov. 29, 67-47.
- The Keydets' average age is just 19.0 years old, making them the youngest team in Division I men's basketball. Junior guard Brennan Watkins is leading the team with 14.8 points per game, while freshman guard Koree Cotton is adding 13.6 a contest and freshman guard Tyran Cook chips in 10.4.
- Sophomore guard Taeshaud Jackson II is pulling down 11.0 rebounds a game, second in the Southern Conference and seventh in the nation. He adds 7.1 points per game.
- Andrew Wilson is in his second season as the head coach at VMI. It is his first head coaching position. Wilson graduated from Florida State in 2006 after playing for Seminoles and has served as an assistant at five different schools in the ensuing 15 years. His Keydets went 7-25 in his first season in 2022-23.
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