American University Eagles Soar Back to NCAA Tournament
American University’s men’s basketball team is back in March Madness after an 11-year absence, making a triumphant return to the NCAA Tournament in 2025. The Eagles punched their ticket by capturing the Patriot League Championship in convincing fashion, defeating the Navy Midshipmen 74-52 in the title game . This victory secured American University’s fourth-ever NCAA Tournament appearance (and first since 2014), ending a lengthy drought and igniting excitement among fans and bettors alike. Graduate forward Matt Rogers delivered a standout performance in the championship, pouring in 25 points and grabbing 8 rebounds to earn Tournament MVP honors . Alongside Rogers, graduate guard Lincoln Ball and the rest of the Eagles showcased resilience and teamwork throughout their conference tournament run.
Matt Rogers and Lincoln Ball Fuel Patriot League Triumph
American’s journey to the Big Dance was defined by clutch performances from its veteran leaders. Matt Rogers, the team’s leading scorer, proved indispensable in the Patriot League Tournament. In the championship showdown against Navy, Rogers dominated the paint and mid-range, scoring a game-high 25 points to go with 8 boards . His inside presence and experience anchored the Eagles and set the tone in the winner-take-all game. Lincoln Ball, a graduate guard and defensive stalwart, also made his presence felt with his leadership and all-around play. While Ball’s stats in the final weren’t gaudy, he provided key hustle plays and even a highlight-reel scoop layup that helped American build an early lead .
Earlier in the tournament, Ball’s contributions were even more pronounced. In the quarterfinal round, the Eagles found themselves trailing by 11 at halftime before Ball sparked a second-half comeback. He tallied a career-high 13 points and 6 rebounds in that 71-69 victory over Lafayette, complementing sophomore forward Greg Jones’ 17-point effort . Ball’s energy on both ends and timely buckets were instrumental in propelling American to the semifinals. Rogers had a quieter quarterfinal by his standards, but he chipped in crucial points late despite being held to a season-low total in that game . By the semifinal matchup, both Rogers and Ball were in sync – Rogers scored 15 points while Ball added 10 on efficient shooting to help knock off four-time defending champion Colgate 72-62 . Five Eagles scored in double figures in that semifinal win, underlining the team’s depth and balance. Still, it was the veteran duo of Rogers and Ball setting the example with hustle and clutch play as American advanced to its first Patriot League final in a decade.
Patriot League Tournament Journey and Title Win
The Eagles’ Patriot League title run was a story of resilience and seizing the moment. As the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, American opened with a hard-fought quarterfinal against No. 7 seed Lafayette. Cold shooting left the Eagles in a 34-23 halftime hole , but they stormed back after the break with a 14-0 run that swung momentum. Greg Jones caught fire from deep and Lincoln Ball provided the spark with hustle plays, helping American surge ahead. Ball’s all-around stat line (13 points, 6 boards) in that game exemplified the team’s “next man up” mentality . A pair of clutch free throws by guard Colin Smalls in the final seconds clinched the 71-69 comeback win , marking American’s first 20-win season in 11 years .
In the semifinal, American faced No. 3 Colgate, the Patriot League’s recent powerhouse. The Eagles once again had to battle back after trailing by three at halftime. Point guard Elijah Stephens took charge with 16 points, and Rogers found his groove with 15 points – 10 of those coming in the second half . Ball contributed 10 points in another poised effort , while sharpshooter Colin Smalls hit two late three-pointers that helped seal a 72-62 victory. The win over Colgate not only ended the Raiders’ reign but also meant the Patriot League championship game would be held at American’s Bender Arena for the first time since 2009 , giving the Eagles a true home-court advantage for the final.
With a raucous home crowd on March 12, American University came out determined against fifth-seeded Navy. The Eagles had lost both regular-season meetings to Navy, but in the title game they left no doubt. American’s top-ranked defense clamped down, and the team shot over 50% from the field as they led from wire to wire . Rogers brought the fans to their feet with emphatic dunks and putbacks, amassing 25 points by the final buzzer . The Eagles stretched the lead to double digits early and never relinquished control, causing fans to sense that the 11-year championship drought was about to end. Fittingly, the final seconds ticked away with a dominant 74-52 scoreline , and jubilant Eagles players donned “2025 Champions” shirts as confetti fell. Rogers was named Tournament MVP, joined by teammates Greg Jones and Colin Smalls on the All-Tournament Team . The celebration at Bender Arena was one for the ages, as American University proudly lifted the Patriot League trophy and secured its long-awaited return to the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Tournament Seeding and First Four Performance
On Selection Sunday, American University learned its next destination: Dayton, Ohio. The Eagles earned a No. 16 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament . This seeding slated American for a First Four play-in game, matching up against another 16-seed, the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (champions of the MAAC). It was a showdown of local rivals — the two schools separated by the D.C.-Maryland region — with the winner to advance into the main March Madness bracket against the No. 1 seed, Duke .
American entered the First Four confident after its conference triumph, but the matchup on March 19 proved challenging. In front of a national TV audience, the Eagles fell to Mount St. Mary’s 83-72, ending their postseason run . The game started at a blistering pace with both teams shooting over 60% in the first ten minutes . However, American suffered a huge blow when star forward Matt Rogers injured his right knee just four minutes into play . Rogers attempted to gut it out, but eventually had to exit before halftime, leaving the Eagles without their go-to scorer for the remainder of the game . In his absence, sophomore guard Geoff Sprouse stepped up off the bench to lead American with 18 points (hitting six threes) . Point guard Elijah Stephens added 12 points and kept American competitive in a back-and-forth first half. By halftime, the Eagles trailed 48-38 after a buzzer-beating three by Mount St. Mary’s .
In the second half, American tried to rally but struggled to slow the Mountaineers’ hot shooting. Mount St. Mary’s forwards Dola Adebayo and Jedy Cordilia each scored 22 points, and their team pulled away as American’s offense cooled off . The Eagles showed fight – Lincoln Ball and his teammates hustled until the end – but ultimately the early loss of Rogers was too much to overcome. The defeat meant American’s season concluded in the First Four, just shy of a coveted spot in the Round of 64. While the Eagles did not get the fairytale upset in March Madness, their appearance in Dayton still marked a significant achievement for the program. It was American University’s fourth-ever NCAA Tournament game (the school is 0-4 all-time in the Big Dance) , and simply reaching that stage again after years of rebuilding is a victory in itself. Fans and alumni took pride in seeing “2025 Ticket Punched” for the Eagles, and the team’s performance showed they belonged on the NCAA stage. (For more on this year’s tournament and odds, check out Gamblers Dream’s in-depth NCAA Tournament coverage on our site.)
What’s Next for American University Basketball?
With their 22-13 campaign now complete , the American University Eagles are poised to build on this season’s success. Second-year head coach Duane Simpkins delivered a conference championship and NCAA berth in just his second season at the helm , signaling a bright future for the program. Moving forward, Simpkins will look to turn this tournament appearance into a springboard for sustained excellence. The team will bid farewell to key veteran contributors – Matt Rogers and Lincoln Ball are graduating after memorable careers – but a solid core remains. Underclassmen like Greg Jones, Elijah Stephens, and Geoff Sprouse gained invaluable postseason experience and could form the nucleus of next year’s squad. The incoming recruiting class and player development will be crucial as American aims to stay atop the Patriot League.
After tasting March Madness, the Eagles are hungry for a return. The Patriot League will present challenges next season (perennial contenders like Colgate and Navy won’t be far behind), but American has re-established itself as a force in the conference. The university’s first NCAA Tournament trip since 2014 has reinvigorated the fan base and raised the team’s profile. In the offseason, expect Coach Simpkins and his staff to use this momentum in recruiting and training, emphasizing the program’s championship culture. If the Eagles can maintain their defensive intensity and get continued growth from their younger players, there’s a strong chance American University will be dancing in March again sooner rather than later. For now, the 2024-25 Eagles can celebrate a landmark season that brought American University back into the national spotlight and ended an 11-year NCAA Tournament drought – an achievement that sets the stage for even greater goals in the years to come.
FAQ
Q: When was the last time American University made the NCAA Tournament prior to 2025?
A: Before 2025, American University’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2014 . The 11-year gap between 2014 and 2025 marked the program’s longest drought without a March Madness berth. The 2025 team ended that drought by winning the Patriot League and securing an automatic bid.
Q: What seed was American University in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?
A: The Eagles earned a No. 16 seed in the East Region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament . As a 16-seed, American had to compete in the First Four play-in round. They faced fellow 16-seed Mount St. Mary’s in Dayton, Ohio, for the right to advance into the main bracket against the region’s No. 1 seed.
Q: How did American University perform in the NCAA Tournament?
A: American University was eliminated in the First Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The Eagles lost 83-72 to Mount St. Mary’s in their play-in game . Unfortunately, star forward Matt Rogers injured his knee early in that game, which hampered the Eagles’ effort . Despite a valiant performance – including 18 points from Geoff Sprouse – the team came up short of reaching the Round of 64.
Q: Who were the standout players in American University’s tournament run?
A: Graduate forward Matt Rogers and graduate guard Lincoln Ball were the standout leaders for American. Rogers averaged about 17 points per game during the season and scored 25 points in the Patriot League Championship game, earning MVP honors . Ball was a key contributor known for his defense and clutch plays; he had a career-high 13 points in the quarterfinals and provided leadership and energy throughout the tournament . Other notable contributors included point guard Elijah Stephens (who scored 16 in the semifinal) and sharpshooter Colin Smalls, whose timely shots and free throws helped secure wins .
Q: What’s next for American University’s basketball program after the NCAA Tournament?
A: The Eagles will focus on sustaining the success achieved in 2025. Head coach Duane Simpkins will enter his third season looking to defend the Patriot League title and return to the NCAA Tournament. While American loses some veteran players (like Rogers and Ball), underclassmen such as Greg Jones, Elijah Stephens, and Geoff Sprouse are expected to take on bigger roles. With a renewed winning culture and momentum in recruiting, American University aims to remain a top contender in the Patriot League and make March Madness a more regular occurrence in the years ahead.
