WASHINGTON - After a 12-day hiatus for final exams, the American University men's basketball team is back in action at VCU in a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday, Dec. 18. The Eagles will play two non-conference games on the road before the holiday break and the start of Patriot League play, also heading to #23/22 Virginia on Monday.
Quick Info
- Date/Time: Thursday, December 18; 7 pm
- Site: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
- Series History: American leads, 18-16
- TV: MASN / ESPN+
- Talent: Sean Robertson, Ed Nixon
Series History
- The all-time series between AU and VCU favors the Eagles, 18-16, but the most recent meeting was 10 years ago and the Rams are 8-1 over the last nine contests.
- The majority of games were played between 1926 and 1939, with the series resuming in 1996 when both teams were part of the CAA.
- The conference meetings lasted through 2001 when AU joined the Patriot League.
- Since that move, VCU won 82-76 in OT on Nov. 15, 2004 in Richmond, and 72-44 on Nov. 25, 2015 in Richmond.
What to Know About American
- The Eagles wrapped up a six-game homestand and now leave Bender Arena, where they are 7-1, to play road games at VCU and Virginia.
- Prior to a week off for finals, AU posted an exciting, comeback win over Drexel on Dec. 3 after trailing by 13 points at halftime, and then dominated in a 78-60 win over UMES on Dec. 6.
- Freshman Madden Collins was the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Dec. 8 after scoring 19 points in the win over Drexel and leading AU with 14 ppg in the Eagles' 2-0 week.
- Five different players—Wyatt Nausadis, Madden Collins, Kade Sebastian, Greg Jones, and Dean Hogans—have been leading scorers so far.
- Hot shooting and a dominant second half powered AU to a 78–60 win over UMES, as the Eagles hit 14 three-pointers—including 10-of-15 after halftime—and saw 10 players score in an all-around performance. Freshman Dean Hogans led the way with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from long range.
- As a team, AU leads the Patriot League in scoring offense (81.6 ppg), scoring margin (11.52 ppg), turnover margin (3.18), and steals (9.36 pg).\
- Individuals ranked in the top five after the opening 11 games of the season are Matt Mayock in FG percentage (5th, .565) and 3-pt FG percentage (1st, .516), Kade Sebastian in 3-pt FG percentage (3rd, .464), and Madden Collins in steals (5th, 1.7 per game).
What to Know About VCU
- Coming off an Atlantic 10 championship in 2025-26, the Rams were picked first in the A-10 yet again despite a very new look to the roster. VCU has captured two of the past three A-10 titles.
- So far, VCU is 7-4 after an up-and-down non-conference season. They lost 81-78 to New Mexico last Wednesday, but rebounded for an 84-58 win over Niagara on Dec. 15.
- The Rams, led by first-year head coach Phil Martelli Jr., have nine newcomers including seven transfers.
- Four Rams earned preseason All-Atlantic 10 awards. Seniors Barry Evans and Jadrian Tracey, as well as junior Tyrell Ward, were named Second Team, while sophomore Ahmad Nowell was selected to the Third Team. Sophomore Brandon Jennings landed a spot on the league's preseason All-Defensive Team.
- Four players average in double figures in scoring for VCU. Sophomore Terrence Hill, Jr. has 12.8 ppg, junior Lazar Djokovic has 11.8 ppg, Tracey has 11.2 ppg, and freshman Nyk Lewis is averaging 10.2 ppg. Evans is the team leader in rebounding with 6.0 per game.
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