American Univ Eagles
Head Coach
| Jeff Jones |
9th year |
| 07-08 |
0-0 |
| Patriot |
0-0 |
| FCR |
191 |
Previous Season Wins
Patriot
Final 07-08 Standings
Key Contributors
| Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
|
|
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|
|
| G |
| 5 |
Garrison Carr |
5-11 |
165 |
Sr |
|
1st Team All-Patriot | 18.2 |
3.4 |
1.7 |
|
| G |
| 3 |
Derrick Mercer |
5-9 |
175 |
Sr |
|
2nd Team All-Patriot | 12.7 |
3.3 |
4.2 |
|
| F |
| 14 |
Brian Gilmore |
6-8 |
220 |
Sr |
|
| 8.7 |
3.8 |
1.8 |
|
| F |
| 33 |
Bryce Simon |
6-6 |
200 |
Sr |
|
Returning Starter | 7.2 |
4.1 |
2.2 |
|
| F |
| 44 |
Jordan Nichols |
6-5 |
230 |
Sr |
|
| 4.1 |
3.4 |
0.3 |
|
| G |
| 15 |
Frank Borden |
6-4 |
190 |
Sr |
|
| 2.8 |
1.6 |
0.4 |
|
| F |
| 32 |
C'nelio Guibunda |
6-9 |
225 |
Sr |
|
Returning Starter | 2.6 |
3.3 |
0.4 |
|
Starters Lost
| Pos. |
No. |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
|
|
|
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|
|
| F |
| 34 |
Travis Lay |
6-5 |
215 |
Sr |
|
| 6.1 |
4.1 |
0.7 |
|
Head Coach Jeff Jones enters his eighth season at the helm convinced that wholesale roster changes will make the Eagles better. American won 16 games last season and returns only one starter, they will need the newcomers and last seasons role players to step up.
In the backcourt 5-9 Derrick Mercer (9.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg) has been a two-year starter at he point, Mercer’s 4.7 assists and 1.84 assist to turnover ratio topped the league last season. Even so ones says he’ll have to win the starting spot once again. Junior Garrison Carr (3.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg) is not a natural point guard, but at 5-11, he is small for a two. A career 36 percent shooter form the arc, Carr will have a chance to win the starting spot at the point. In 6-3 freshmen Steve Luptak and Nick Hendra and JUCO transfers Frank Borden and Bryce Simon, Jones may have found the size that Carr lacks. Simon is the biggest of the bunch at 6-6 and is a strong shooter, the 6-4 junior Borden is the most athletic of the bunch.
In the frontcourt expect 6-8 Brian Gilmore or 6-5 Jordan Nichols to start Gilmore (2.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), despite being the bigger of the two, is more of a perimeter scorer. Nichols (1.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg) is more at home around the paint than Gilmore, but he will have to improve on last season’s 37.6 percent shooting. Travis Lay (2.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg) will continue coming in off the bench. At 6-9 junior Cornelio Guibunda (1.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg) has good hops and the ability to run the floor, and will get his minutes. A pair of JUCO transfers will add to the mix at the fiveConstantin “Malik” Motnil is a 6-9 space-eater and Frane Markusovic, a big guy at 6-10, 240.
The Eagles could surprise and gel quickly or at least in time to keep their accustomed spot in third – or fourth place in the conference. A .500 season with an eye on next year is probably a more realistic projection for the rebuilding Eagles, look for American to get 16 wins again.
