American Hosts Lafayette in Crucial Patriot League Clash

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Eagles aim to maintain their lead in the Patriot League as they host the Lafayette Leopards on Monday, February 10, at 6 p.m. ET at Bender Arena. With a record of 15-10 and 9-3 in league play, American has won eight of its last nine games, including a thrilling overtime victory against Lehigh on Saturday.

Lafayette, standing at 10-15 and 5-7 in the league, will look to bounce back after winning two of their last three contests, including a 61-51 win over Navy last weekend. This game marks the second encounter of the season between these teams, with American securing a 75-68 victory in the previous matchup on January 29.

As the game approaches, American is favored by 4.5 points in the latest betting odds, with an over/under set at 131.5 points, according to SportsLine consensus. This season, the Eagles have embraced a competitive edge, entering Week 15 on a 211-154 roll (+2024) of top-rated college basketball picks since 2023.

“We’re feeling good, especially after that win against Lehigh. We just need to keep our focus and take care of business at home,” said American’s senior forward who led the team with 27 points against Lehigh. He added six points in overtime to clinch the win.

In their earlier meeting this season, American’s senior forward scored 21 points on 70% shooting, complemented by sophomore forward’s 17 points, including three 3-pointers. This impressive performance built a foundation of optimism as the Eagles approach the rematch with Lafayette.

Lafayette managed to secure a resounding 76-61 road victory on February 1, establishing themselves in the league and showcasing the talent of their freshman guard, who scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in that game. The Leopards also emerged victorious against Navy in their most recent game.

“We have a lot of confidence after our last couple of games, but we know American is a tough opponent,” said Lafayette’s senior center, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds against Navy.

As the game draws closer, fans are eager to see how the teams prepare for this key matchup in the Patriot League, with critical playoff implications on the line. Following the trends, the model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times, projecting that the total combined points will lean towards the over.