Mount St. Mary’s NCAA Tournament hopes have suffered a significant blow, with sophomore guard Carmelo Pacheco officially ruled out for tonight’s First Four matchup against American University.
The 6’5″ standout who has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 9.5 points per game this season, but will miss this crucial win or go-home contest due to a finger injury.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Mountaineers, as both teams enter the showdown with identical 22-12 records. Pacheco’s absence removes a key scoring option and defensive presence from Mount St. Mary’s arsenal just as March Madness begins.
Head coach Dan Engelstad now faces the challenging task of reconfiguring his rotation before tip-off in Dayton.
Carmelo Pacheco’s Impact and Mountaineers’ Adjustment Strategy
Pacheco’s contributions extend beyond his 9.5 points per game. His 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists have been instrumental to the Mountaineers’ success this season. The guard’s versatility on both ends of the court has made him a cornerstone of Coach Engelstad’s system, creating a significant void that must be addressed immediately.
Dakota Leffew of the Mountaineers should expect many more commitments from his coaches at guard positions.
Mount St. Mary’s Carmelo Pacheco (finger) is OUT for Wednesday’s First Four game against American, per Donny Lind.
Averages 9.5 PPG.
Has not played since 3/8.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 18, 2025
Coach Engelstad needs to revamp the game strategy by focusing on ball movement together with perimeter shooting and defensive force because of Pacheco’s departure. Success in advancing will depend on effective strategic adaptations by Mount St. Mary’s since one of their core contributors is missing from their lineup.
On March 19, the First Four game will occur at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, for the 71st contest between these two teams as part of their regional rivalry. American University possesses a narrow 38-32 lead throughout their history, including a narrow 68-64 victory when these teams last met in November 2023.
The familiarity between these opponents adds another layer of intrigue to an already high-pressure situation. American enters with both historical advantage and the psychological edge from their most recent encounter, factors that become even more significant with Pacheco sidelined for the Mountaineers.
The implications of tonight’s contest extend well beyond bragging rights in this regional rivalry. The winner earns the formidable reward of advancing to face No. 1 seed Duke in the Round of 64. This challenging draw awaits whichever team can survive this preliminary round matchup.
KEEP READING: American vs. Mount St. Mary’s Prediction: First Four Clash for NCAA Tournament Spot
For Mount St. Mary’s, the path becomes considerably steeper without Pacheco’s scoring and playmaking abilities. American University now has additional reason for confidence, though they’ll need to capitalize on the Mountaineers’ adjusted lineup to secure their ticket to the main bracket and the showdown with Duke.
Mount St. Mary’s faces a defining moment in their season. The rest of their team will need to rally together despite losing a key contributor, or see their NCAA Tournament journey end before it truly begins.
Coach Engelstad’s ability to motivate his squad and implement effective adjustments will determine whether the Mountaineers can overcome this significant setback when they take the floor tonight in Dayton.
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