What to Watch For: Bobcats travel to D.C.

What to Watch For: Bobcats travel to D.C.

By Matthias Gausz, QBSN Co-Director

The Quinnipiac men’s basketball team (2-1) heads to the nation’s capital to take on the American University Eagles (2-2) at the Bender Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 pm.

Quinnipiac is coming off of a huge 78-54 win over the weekend against Navy. The huge lead allowed Coach Tom Moore to use his bench extensively, getting everybody on the floor. Senior guard James Johnson (Queens, N.Y.) filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in only 26 minutes of action.  Sophomore forward Ike Azotam (Boston, Mass.) had his third straight double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds in only 22 minutes on the court. The Bobcats were able to stifle the Navy offense holding them to only 18 points in the first half and 22 turnovers in the game.

QU has been able to shut down the top scorer of the opposing team as they shut down Jordan Sugars to only seven points on Saturday. The woes at the free-throw line continued as the Bobcats only made 40 percent of their chances (8-for-20). Quinnipiac won the battle on the boards again 46-27.  

American comes in to the matchup winning two in a row after dropping their first two.  They defeated Florida Atlantic and Columbia last week; their losses are to Richmond by 10 and Maryland-Eastern Shore by two in overtime. Jeff Jones is in his 12^th season at the helm for the Eagles, who have been to the big dance twice under his tutelage. They are led by senior guard/forward Charles Hinkle, a Vanderbilt transfer, who has scored over 20 points in all four games so far for the Eagles. Senior guard Troy Brewer, a Georgia transfer, has given American one of the best backcourts in the Patriot League. Brewer is averaging 13.5 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game in the first four for the Eagles. American is backcourt heavy, not having a great front line.

Key for the Bobcats:

For QU, the key is to control the inside and keep attacking the boards. If Azotam can keep up his average of 16 points and 14 boards, which is second in the nation, and get some help from junior forward Jamee Jackson (Newark, N.J.) they should be fine. Johnson will get his looks and must connect in order to stretch a lead for QU.  As junior guard Garvey Young (Washington, D.C.) returns home, he must slow down Hinkle.

Key for the Eagles:

For American, the key is to get the senior leadership out of Brewer and Hinkle and have them control the tempo and the ball. If they both are able to break into double digits, American will be able to keep up with the Bobcats. They also must try to hit the glass and grab some misses as they are negative five in rebound margin this season. If the Eagles can get another player to step up and score, Daniel Munoz or Blake Jolivette, then they can breakdown QU’s defense and give them fits with three prolific scorers.

Last Meeting: This is the first ever meeting between these schools.