2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball team represented the United States Air Force Academy during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Falcons, led by sixth-year head coach Dave Pilipovich, played their home games at the Clune Arena on the Air Force Academy's main campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado as members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 12–19, 6–12 in Mountain West play to finish in ninth place. They lost in the first round of the Mountain West tournament to UNLV.[1]

2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Record12–19 (6–12 MW)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaClune Arena
Seasons
2017–18 Mountain West Conference
men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 24 Nevada 15 3   .833 29 8   .784
Boise State 13 5   .722 23 9   .719
New Mexico 12 6   .667 19 15   .559
Fresno State 11 7   .611 21 11   .656
San Diego State 11 7   .611 22 11   .667
Wyoming 10 8   .556 20 13   .606
UNLV 8 10   .444 20 13   .606
Utah State 8 10   .444 17 17   .500
Air Force 6 12   .333 12 19   .387
Colorado State 4 14   .222 11 21   .344
San Jose State 1 17   .056 4 26   .133
Conference tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

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The Falcons finished the season 12–21, 4–14 in Mountain West play to finish in a tie for tenth place. They defeated Wyoming in the first round of the Mountain West tournament to advance to the quarterfinals where they lost to Colorado State.

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Daniel Hummer 4 G 6'0" 175 Sophomore Upper Arlington, OH Transferred to Ohio State
Zach Kocur 5 G 6'3" 200 Senior Denver, CO Graduated
Nicholas Wells 10 G 6'5" 194 Freshman Marietta, GA No longer on team roster
Kyle Broekhuis 25 F 6'7" 200 Senior Colorado Springs, CO Graduated
Garrett Scheer 31 F 6'6" 185 Freshman Las Vegas, NV No longer on team roster
Hayden Graham 35 F 6'5" 195 Senior Austin, TX Graduated
Brendan Leonard 40 C 6'8" 235 Junior Olympia, WA No longer on team roster
Keegan Culp 41 F 6'4" 186 Freshman Carmel, IN Left the team for personal reasons
Ryan Swan 43 F 6'6" 227 Freshman Aurora, CO No longer on team roster

2017 recruiting class

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US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jeff Fesperman
SG
San Antonio, TX Churchill High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Abraham Kinrade
SF
Maquoketa, IA Maquoketa High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 13, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
A.J. Walker
SG
San Angelo, TX St. Mary's Hall 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) N/A Sep 27, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Charlie O'Briant
PF
Atlanta, GA Greater Atlanta Christian School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Oct 3, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Zach Couper
SG
Rockford, IL Boylan Central Catholic High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Oct 24, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout:   Rivals:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.

Preseason

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In a vote by conference media at the Mountain West media day, the Falcons were picked to finish in last place in the Mountain West.[2]

Roster

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2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Caleb Morris 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So Army and Navy Academy Vista, CA
F 1 Dane Norman 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jr Foothills Christian High School San Diego, CA
G 2 C. J. Siples 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sr USAFA Prep School Cibolo, TX
G 3 Sid Tomes 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So East Ridge Woodbury, MN
G 5 Christopher Joyce 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Fr Bishop Kenny Jacksonville, FL
F 11 Ameka Akaya 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Fr St. Maria Goretti Hagerstown, MD
F 12 Lavelle Scottie 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So Arlington Heights Fort Worth, TX
G 13 LeSean Brown 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So TMI Episcopal San Antonio, TX
G 15 Jacob Van 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sr Mansfield Lake Ridge Mansfield, TX
G 20 Trevor Lyons 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sr USAFA Prep School Newport News, VA
F 21 Javen Gumber 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Fr Fruita Monument Craig, CO
G 22 Pervis Louder 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Jr Village Christian Academy Raleigh, NC
G 23 Kobi Betts 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) So Central Pueblo, CO
G 24 Charles O'Briant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Fr Greater Atlanta Christian Johns Creek, GA
G 25 Bryce Hughes 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fr Lady Bird Johnson San Antonio, TX
F 30 Jonathan DeWane 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So Bolles Jacksonville, FL
F 32 Ryan Manning 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr USAFA Prep School Sacramento, CA
C 33 Frank Toohey 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Sr York Community Elmhurst, IL
F 35 James Edwards 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Fr Plum Allison Park, PA
C 40 Kole Cerjan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr Rampart Colorado Springs, CO
F 41 Peyton Spires 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Fr St. Paul's Episcopal Mobile, AL
G 44 Keaton Van Soelen 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Fr Des Moines Christian Waukee, IA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 10/2/2017

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
Nov 7, 2017*
7:00 pm
Colorado Christian W 97–74 
Clune Arena 
Colorado Springs, CO
Non-conference regular season
Nov 12, 2017*
2:00 pm, ESPN3
Texas State
Men Against Breast Cancer Showcase
W 65–57  1–0
Clune Arena (1,511)
Colorado Springs, CO
Nov 14, 2017*
5:00 pm
Canisius
Men Against Breast Cancer Showcase
W 93–79  2–0
Clune Arena (1,002)
Colorado Springs, CO
Nov 20, 2017*
7:00 pm
Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Men Against Breast Cancer Showcase
W 57–47  3–0
Clune Arena (1,355)
Colorado Springs, CO
Nov 21, 2017*
7:00 pm
Pacific
Men Against Breast Cancer Showcase
L 71–83  3–1
Clune Arena (1,510)
Colorado Springs, CO
Nov 26, 2017*
2:00 pm, P12N
at Colorado L 69–81  3–2
Coors Events Center (7,427)
Boulder, CO
Nov 29, 2017*
5:00 pm, ESPN3
at Indiana State
MW–MVC Challenge
L 64–74  3–3
Hulman Center (3,797)
Terre Haute, IN
Dec 2, 2017*
1:00 pm
at Denver W 61–59  4–3
Magness Arena (1,401)
Denver, CO
Dec 4, 2017*
7:00 pm
Western State (CO) W 79–67  5–3
Clune Arena (1,535)
Colorado Springs, CO
Dec 6, 2017*
7:00 pm
Abilene Christian L 58–62  5–4
Clune Arena (1,602)
Colorado Springs, CO
Dec 8, 2017*
8:00 pm
at UC Riverside L 48–67  5–5
SRC Arena (899)
Riverside, CA
Dec 17, 2017*
11:30 am
vs. Army
Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival
L 54–79  5–6
Madison Square Garden (9,515)
New York City, NY
Dec 22, 2017*
2:00 pm
Johnson & Wales (CO) W 111–68  6–6
Clune Arena (1,818)
Colorado Springs, CO
Mountain West regular season
Dec 27, 2017
7:00 pm, ATTSNRM
at New Mexico L 58–87  6–7
(0–1)
The Pit (10,514)
Albuquerque, NM
Dec 30, 2017
5:00 pm
at Fresno State L 59–71  6–8
(0–2)
Save Mart Center (6,188)
Fresno, CA
Jan 6, 2018
12:00 pm, ATTSNRM
Nevada L 75–86  6–9
(0–3)
Clune Arena (2,254)
Colorado Springs, CO
Jan 10, 2018
8:00 pm, ATTSNRM
UNLV L 76–81  6–10
(0–4)
Clune Arena (1,911)
Colorado Springs, CO
Jan 13, 2018
3:00 pm
at San Jose State W 78–71  7–10
(1–4)
Event Center Arena (1,405)
San Jose, CA
Jan 17, 2018
7:00 pm, ATTSNRM
at Colorado State W 76–71  8–10
(2–4)
Moby Arena (3,216)
Fort Collins, CO
Jan 20, 2018
2:00 pm, ATTSNRM
Fresno State Postponed1 Clune Arena 
Colorado Springs, CO
Jan 24, 2018
7:00 pm
at Utah State L 49–71  8–11
(2–5)
Smith Spectrum (6,974)
Logan, UT
Jan 27, 2018
8:00 pm, ESPNU
Boise State L 64–70  8–12
(2–6)
Clune Arena (2,436)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 3, 2018
8:00 pm, ESPN3
at San Diego State L 51–80  8–13
(2–7)
Viejas Arena (11,482)
San Diego, CA
Feb 6, 2018
8:00 pm, ATTSNRM
Colorado State W 78–73  9–13
(3–7)
Clune Arena (2,556)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 10, 2018
2:00 pm, ESPN3
New Mexico W 100–92  10–13
(4–7)
Clune Arena (2,851)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 14, 2018
8:00 pm, ATTSNRM
at UNLV L 73–81  10–14
(4–8)
Thomas & Mack Center (9,027)
Paradise, NV
Feb 17, 2018
7:00 pm, ATTSNRM
at Boise State L 52–76  10–15
(4–9)
Taco Bell Arena (7,530)
Boise, ID
Feb 21, 2018
8:30 pm, CBSSN
San Diego State L 56–67  10–16
(4–10)
Clune Arena (1,868)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 24, 2018
2:00 pm
Utah State W 75–65  11–16
(5–10)
Clune Arena (3,267)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 26, 2018
7:00 pm, ATTSNRM
Fresno State L 48–54  11–17
(5–11)
Clune Arena (2,150)
Colorado Springs, CO
Feb 28, 2018
7:00 pm
at Wyoming L 54–66  11–18
(5–12)
Arena-Auditorium (5,731)
Laramie, WY
Mar 3, 2018
2:00 pm
San Jose State W 83–61  12–18
(6–12)
Clune Arena (3,018)
Colorado Springs, CO
Mountain West tournament
Mar 7, 2018
12:00 pm, Stadium
(9) at (8) UNLV
First round
L 90–97 OT 12–19
Thomas & Mack Center (4,994)
Paradise, NV
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Mountain Time.

References

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