American Eagles

The American University Eagles fly out of Bender Arena in the nation's capital, giving Patriot League basketball a home right in Washington, D.C. The program has become one of the league's steadier competitors, built around disciplined, defense-first basketball. American's campus setting in a major metro market gives the Eagles a recruiting footprint few other Patriot League schools can match. Bender Arena's compact size keeps conference games close and combative.

American University was founded in 1893, and its basketball program has grown into a consistent Patriot League contender. The Eagles broke through for their first NCAA tournament bid in 2008 by beating Colgate for the Patriot League title, then repeated as league champions in 2009 with a win over Holy Cross. American has reached the NCAA tournament four times overall, most recently in 2025, though the program is still seeking its first tournament win.