Army and Air Force Basketball Records Improving While Navy Continues to Struggle

This week’s update will also include the NCAA’s latest ranking structure, NET, which replaces the previous RPI. NET ranks all 353 teams in D1 basketball.

Men’s Weekly Update

Army (4-6 overall; 2-1 since last update)

Army picked up a pair of home wins in two of their last three games. In their 67-56 victory over Binghamton, Junior forward Matt Wilson ran the show with 16 points and an impressive 11 rebounds. The game was highlighted by strong defense and they carried the momentum into a close victory against Fairfield. Army held a 38-27 lead at the half, but poor shooting in the second half brought the game a little to close for comfort. Despite dropping from 40% to 29% from the field between the halves, Army held on to win 63-60. Their following game at NJIT was an unfortunate loss, but NJIT’s guard Zach Cooks was lights out and put up 27 points against the Black Knights. Army dropped the contest, 72-77.

NET Rank (as of 12/5): 270

Games this week: 12/8 vs. Air Force

Team Leaders: PPG - Wilson 15.6; RPG - Wilson 8.2; APG - Funk 6.8; SPG - Caldwell 1.4

Navy (3-5 overall; 1-2 since last update)

The Midshipmen lost two disappointing home games to Liberty and Brown before they were able to pull off a win against Delaware last week. They were no match for Darius McGhee, who scored 18 points off the bench, or the rest of the Liberty Flames in their 76-58 loss. Despite going 6-7 on free throws, Navy couldn’t make it above 29% shooting against Brown either. Poor offense and and no answer for Brown’s star Desmond Cambridge led to a 67-50 loss. There was a glimmer of hope when Navy took down Delaware 80-65 and there was no real secret to the win other than the fact that their shooting improved. Navy made 8 of 18 three pointers and spread out their offense well as 4 players had double digit point games.

NET Rank (as of 12/5): 254

Games this week: 12/9 vs. Lipscomb

Team Leaders: PPG - Davis-11.3; RPG - Carter, Jr. 4.5; APG - Abdullah 3.6; SPG - Abdullah 1.6

Air Force (4-5 overall; 2-1 since last update)

Air Force took down Missouri State 88-69 in a home matchup last week. AJ Walker scored 20 points for the Falcons, leading the team. They lost the following game to Pacific University 82-69 on a road trip to Stockton, California. Despite Ryan Swan’s 23 points off the bench, the starting 5 was unable to really get any meaningful offense started. Pacific had 5 players score double digit points and they handled the Falcons easily. Air Force was able to finish up last week’s play with a big win against Denver, 73-65. The second half was highlighted by 17-19 from the free throw line and team offense was the key to the win.

NET Rank (as of 12/5): 220

Games this week: 12/8 vs. Army

Team Leaders: PPG - Ryan Swan 12.2; RPG - Swan 4.1; APG - Sid Tomes 2.8; SPG - Ryan Swan 0.8