Fifth-seeded Navy (15-18, 10-8 Patriot League) will have a shot at their first NCAA tournament berth in 27 years tomorrow night when they face off against the second-seeded American Eagles (21-12, 13-5) in the final of the Patriot League Tournament at Bender Arena on AU's DC campus. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 ET, and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
For Ed DeChellis' squad, it has been a remarkable run. The Mids have won five straight games, including back-to-back road upsets over Boston University and top-seeded Bucknell to reach the final. The 83-77 semifinal win over the Bison was punctuated by a historic free-throw performance from Austin Benigni, who went 20-of-22 from the line, breaking Patriot League tournament records.
American, meanwhile, has been dominant at home, boasting a 13-2 record at Bender Arena this season. The Eagles ended Colgate’s four-year reign as league champions with a 72-62 win in the semifinals, using a balanced attack led by Elijah Stephens (16 points) and Matt Rogers (15 points).
What to watch
Benigni vs. Stephens
Benigni has been unstoppable in the tournament, averaging 24 points per game and getting to the line at an elite rate. His aggressive drives to the basket have been Navy's most consistent weapon, especially against Bucknell, where he took more free throws than the entire Bison team.
American’s backcourt, led by 5-9 senior Elijah Stephens, will have its hands full. Stephens, an All-Patriot League Third Team selection, is a tenacious defender, but his size could be a disadvantage against Benigni’s physical drives and ability to absorb contact. If Navy’s star guard can force Stephens into foul trouble, it would disrupt American’s offensive flow.
Containing Matt Rogers
American’s Matt Rogers (16.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG) is the most versatile big man in the Patriot League. He is effective inside but is most dangerous when he stretches the floor (40.7% from three-point range). Navy will need a plan to handle both. Rogers' length makes him a bad zone matchup on the perimeter, but playing man defense risks taking Aidan Kehoe away from the basket, where he has excelled on the glass. Navy may rotate defenders on Rogers, using the more mobile Donovan Draper on the perimeter and Kehoe inside. AU will likely run some pick-and-pop plays to create different matchups for Rogers and test Navy's defensive versatility.
The Mids don't want Rogers to stretch them outside and take away their interior strengths in this matchup. Kehoe recorded one of his eight double-doubles on the season the last time the Mids faced the Eagles, with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He and Draper combine for 17.1 rebounds per game to anchor the conference's top rebounding team. Drawing defenders outside could also create opportunities for 6-6 sophomore Greg Jones (10.5 PPG) underneath the basket.
Second-Chance Points
Navy leads the Patriot League in offensive rebounding (11.3 per game), while American ranks near the bottom in rebounding margin (-2.0). If the Mids can create extra possessions, it will put pressure on AU’s defense and increase opportunities for free throws, where Benigni thrives. Second-chance points are crucial for Navy, which ranks last in the conference in field goal percentage (42.5%).
On the line
Navy hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1998. A win would make them just the 20th team in history to earn a spot with a losing record.
American is seeking its fourth Patriot League title and first since 2014.
Series History & Recent Meetings
Navy leads the all-time series, 55-52. The Mids have won three straight, including a 68-60 victory at Bender Arena on Feb. 26. American’s last home win against Navy was Feb. 19, 2020.
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