2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball team

American college basketball season

2017–18 Air Force Falcons men's basketball

Conference	Mountain West Conference
Record	12–19 (6–12 MW)
Head coach	Dave Pilipovich (6th season)
Assistant coaches	Kurt Kanaskie Andrew Moore Nate Zandt Evan Washington
Home arena	Clune Arena
Seasons ← 2016–17 2018–19 →

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

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]

Previous season

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

Departures

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 due to personal reasons
Ryan Swan	43	F	6'6"	227	Freshman	Aurora, CO	No longer on team roster

2017 recruiting class

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)
Jeff Fesperman SG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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
Abraham Kinrade SF	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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
A.J. Walker SG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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
Charlie O'Briant PF	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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
Zach Couper SG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/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

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

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

Dave Pilipovich (Thiel)

Assistant coach(es)

Kurt Kanaskie (La Salle)
Andy Moore (Muskingum)
Nate Zandt (Michigan)
Evan Washington (Air Force)

Legend

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

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: 10/2/2017

Schedule and results

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.

¹ Game originally canceled due to the January 2018 United States federal government shutdown. Rescheduled to February 26.^[3]

References

^ Anderson, Mark (March 7, 2018). "UNLV ousts Air Force 97-90 in OT, plays UNR in quarterfinals". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
^ "Nevada Predicted to Win 2017-18 Mountain West Men's Basketball Regular-Season Title". Retrieved October 26, 2017.
^ "GoAirForceFalcons.com Government shutdown cancels all Air Force Academy athletic events - Official Site of Air Force Athletics Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.