American University Eagles vs Mount St. Mary´s Mountaineers Picks and Predictions March 19th 2025

Familiar Foes Clash in First Four as American Faces Mount St. Mary’s

The No. 16 American Eagles (22-12) and No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (22-12) will meet in a First Four showdown on Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 seed Duke in the East Region first round on Friday in Raleigh, N.C.

Both teams punched their ticket to March Madness by winning their conference tournaments, setting up an intriguing matchup between two rising programs.

Coaching Connections and Tournament History

This game features a coaching chess match between two familiar head coaches:

• Donny Lind (Mount St. Mary’s) led the team to the NCAA Tournament in his first year.
• Duane Simpkins (American) has transformed the Eagles into an NCAA team in just his second season.

The two coaches texted each other after winning their conference titles, acknowledging their familiarity with each other’s programs.

“You’re not thrilled to play someone who knows you so well,” Lind admitted. “One of the fun parts of the tournament is surprising teams that don’t know you.”

This is the first meeting between the schools since Nov. 22, 2023, when American won 68-65. The Eagles hold a 38-32 all-time series lead.

American Earns NCAA Bid with Patriot League Title

The Eagles secured their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance—and first since 2014—by winning the Patriot League Tournament, defeating:

• Lafayette
• Colgate
• Navy

Led by:

• Matt Rogers (17.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG) – The team’s leading scorer.
• Elijah Stephens (10.6 PPG) – Key backcourt presence.

Simpkins praised his team’s effort:

“This is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the right people around us.”

Mount St. Mary’s Aims to Make History

The Mountaineers clinched their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance by winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title, capping it off with a 63-49 victory over Iona.

Top players include:

• Dola Adebayo (13.2 PPG) & Dallas Hobbs (12.6 PPG) – Leading scorers.
• Jedy Cordilia (7.3 RPG) – Senior forward and rebounding leader.

Mount St. Mary’s has been a No. 16 seed in all previous NCAA appearances, including falling to Texas Southern in the First Four in 2021.

“We have to do what we’re capable of,” Lind said. “They have to play us just like we have to play them.”

Betting Insights & NCAA Tournament Implications

• American won the last meeting (68-65 in November).
• Winner faces No. 1 seed Duke in the first round.
• John Wooden Award Odds, College Basketball Championship Odds, and First Four betting lines continue to shift.

For the latest insights, Pick Page, and Odds Page updates, and expert picks, visit the Expert Betting Guide for full tournament analysis.

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Final Thoughts

Can American extend its dominance over Mount St. Mary’s, or will the Mountaineers break through and advance? With March Madness pressure at its peak, expect a fierce First Four battle in Dayton.