The American University men’s basketball team is heading to the 2025 NCAA Tournament after winning the Patriot League. In the Patriot League tournament, it defeated Lafayette 71-69, Colgate 72-62, and Navy 74-52 in the championship game to clinch the auto-bid.
The Eagles are 22-12 overall this season and on a 4-game winning streak.
American University NCAA Tournament Appearances
In 2025, American University basketball will make its fourth appearance in the Division 1 NCAA Tournament and its first since 2014.
The Eagles also reached the tourney in 2008, 2009, and 2014.
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American University Basketball NCAA Tournament Wins
American University has not won a game in the Division 1 NCAA Tournament. Its overall record in the Big Dance is 0-4, losing to Tennessee in 2008, Villanova in 2009, Wisconsin in 2014, and Mount St. Mary’s in 2025.
American University Basketball Coach Duane Simpkins
Duane Simpkins is in his second season as American University’s head basketball coach.
Simpkins is the 18th head coach in the program’s history. Last year, the Eagles finished 16-16 overall. It’s his first experience as a head coach at the college level. Before American, he spent eight seasons on the staff at George Mason. He also had prior experience at UNC Greensboro and Towson. In 2020, Simpkins was named one of the country’s Top 50 Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistants by Silverwaves Media.
This year, Simpkins was named a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award by CollegeInsider.com, which recognizes coaches who exemplify success on the court while demonstrating outstanding character and integrity off of it. He was also named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, honoring the top minority coach in Division I basketball.
