Michigan earns a 3 Seed as preparation begins for American University

Michigan comes in to the 2022 NCAA Tournament with their highest seed ever obtained. The Wolverines were close to their first Big Ten title but not being able to play a makeup game against seven-win Illinois, kept Michigan one win away from at least a share of the title. Michigan started their historical season 20-2. Since then, they have cooled off a bit, losing four of their last six games. In Michigan’s six losses, all have come away from home and five of the losses were in true road games. This is great news as Michigan hosts the Round of 64 and Round of 32 in Ann Arbor and open up the tournament against 14 seed American University.

American comes in 23-8 on the year after finishing 2nd in the Patriot League. The Eagles were able to defeat 4th seeded Bucknell to earn their third trip to the NCAA Tournament. When playing high major competition this season, the Eagles were 1-1. American traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia for a game against the Virginia Cavaliers and won by 13 points, 69-56. The Eagles also played against a Big Ten opponent in Minnesota, and lost that game by 17 points, 73-56. Michigan played Minnesota this year in Ann Arbor and won by 12, 73-61. The top players for American are seniors and they will be looking to extend their season.

Michigan vs American Statistical Overview

Team Offensive Efficiency: American scores 0.793 points per possession (PPP), ranking in the middle tier at 164th in the country.

Press Offense: If Michigan decides to apply pressure full court, they will need to remain disciplined. American scores 1.011 PPP against the press which ranks 3rd nationally.

Cutting Offense: When American cuts to the rim to score, they average 1.063 PPP, ranking 82nd in the country.

Pick & Roll Concepts: The ballhandler in the pick and roll scores 0.632 PPP, ranking 256th nationally. The roller in the pick and roll scores 0.64 PPP which ranks 315th in the country.

Team Defensive Efficiency: American’s defense allows 0.72 PPP, ranking 52nd nationally.

Defense Out of Timeouts: American is tough defensively out of timeouts, allowing 0.622 PPP which ranks 24th nationally.

Defending Spot-Up Shooting: Guarding spot-ups, American allows 0.615 PPP which ranks 1st in the country.

Defending Cuts: When defending cuts, American allows 1.114 PPP which ranks 329th nationally.

American Eagles Top Personnel

#10 Jade Edwards: Edwards is a 5’10” senior guard out of Chicago. She averages 12.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the floor and 83.4% from the FT line. Edwards gets to the line almost five times per game, being aggressive getting downhill to the basket. She is at her best in transition, scoring 1.242 PPP which ranks 274th in the country. In the Patriot League championship, Edwards took over. She scored 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and managed two blocks.

#14 Taylor Brown: Brown is a 6’1″ senior forward out of Minnesota. She averages 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 44% from the field. Like Edwards, Brown also excels in transition, scoring 1.143 PPP which ranks 494th in the country. Most of her time is spent in the paint, and she excels in putting back offensive rebounds, scoring at 1.5 PPP which ranks 37th in the country. She doesn’t get a lot of offensive rebounds, but she is very efficient when given a chance. When she spaces the floor, she is not as good. In spot up situations, she scores 0.652 PPP. She also played well in the Patriot League championship, scoring 18 points with six rebounds and three assists.

#4 Emily Fisher: Fisher is a 5’7″ senior guard out of Australia. She averages 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 43.3% from the field. Fisher is in charge of running the offense and as the 3rd option, she picks her spots on the offensive end when it calls for her to be aggressive. She is at her best out of the pick and roll, attacking and finding teammates. Fisher is confident, has a nice handle, crafty, and plays with a good bounce in her game. She favors her right quite a bit, Michigan has to get her going left and staying uncomfortable. Fisher is a capable scorer, putting up 25 points in the Patriot League semifinals.