After nearly pulling off a comeback for the ages on Friday, Nov. 8 at Kansas, the North Carolina Tar Heels return to the Dean Dome this Friday, Nov. 15 to host the American University Eagles.
UNC trailed the Jayhawks by 17 at halftime, came all the way back to take a 3-point lead in the second half, then eventually suffered a tough, 92-89 loss.
Despite losing, North Carolina responded extremely well. The Tar Heels distributed the ball well, saw four starters score in double figures – led by 19 points from Seth Trimble – and they shot great from the free throw line (28-of-31).
That’s now in the past, so UNC now turns itself to American. You’re likely wondering: who are the Eagles?
American University is a Washington, D.C-based Division-I program that plays in the Patriot League, which houses the likes of Colgate University, a program that has won the past four Patriot League tournaments.
The Eagles have appeared in the NCAA Tournament three times, winning the Patriot League tournament in 2008, 2009 and 2014, but haven’t been back since. American finished 16-16 overall last season, but its 10-8 conference record was its first winning mark – in league play –since the 2019-2020 COVID-shortened campaign (12-6).
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The Eagles are 1-2 through just three games this season: losing 65-52 at LaSalle on the Nov. 4 – the first day of college basketball season, beating Harvard 67-55 in the Eagles’ home opener on Nov. 10, then losing 74-66 at Siena on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
American doesn’t rebound the ball a ton, as guard Lincoln Ball averages a team-best 5.3 per game, but it has a triple-threat in the scoring column. Forward Matt Rogers anchors the Eagles’ scoring attack with 13.3 points per game, guard Collin Smalls averages 12.3 and Geoff Sprouse averages 10.7.
North Carolina should have no issue beating American, but we know all too well about upsets in the Dean Dome.
Now that you know a bit about the Eagles, tune in for tipoff tomorrow at 8 p.m. on the ACC Network.
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