Live from the Tavern for the NCAA Tourney

Cooper Allen

Cooper Allen and Nick Perretti (Live from the Tavern on the campus of American University)

6:51:  30 minutes until tipoff for AU's first round NCAA tournament game against Villanova. Follow the action here as Nick and I live blog the game from the viewing party at The Tavern.

7:01:  President Obama picked Villanova in his bracket . Cooper Allen picked AU. So far today, the president's 5-2 on his picks. I, however, am 7-0. 

7:10:  10 minutes to tip and I'd say we're at capacity. Extra chairs are being brought in.

7:11:  It's possible there are more people at the Tavern right now than in the first 10 rows of the Michigan-Clemson game, which is currently on the big screen.

7:15:  The only team in the NCAA tournament from "the most powerful city in the world," as they say at the Wizards games? American University.

7:20:  CBS cuts to the AU game and the crowd goes wild!  

7:21:  Noteworthy:  eight seniors and two juniors between the two starting fives.

7:22:  Scattered applause for Villanova's first bucket. Umm, folks, we're in blue.

7:23:  Goaltending! First bucket for AU. We'll take it.

7:26:  Brian Gilmore trey and Nova lead is cut to two.

7:29:  It's raining threes for AU!

7:30:  Check out the video below for crowd reaction at the Tavern as the game first came on CBS.
 

7:34:  Apparently, the refs weren't moved by the "raining threes" post -- they just changed Gilmore's last one to a two.

7:37:  "Defense" chants ring out...crowd going wild...AU takes first lead...which was short-lived. My head might explode!

7:40:  Folks, in case you're wondering about our blogging process here. I, Cooper, am typing updates, Nick is taking these videos (and uploading them so fast they're not even processing yet) and he'll now begin sending me updates via G-Chat, which I will copy and paste while also posting mine. Web 2.0, ladies and gentlemen.

7:43:  CBS cuts to Texas vs. Minnesota even though the Eagles game is in progress.

7:44:  And we're back -- AU 24, Nova 22 after AU career 3-point leader Garrison Carr hits a 3.

7:45:  GARRISON CARR IS ON FIRE! Another 3 and the Eagles take a five point lead. Carr has 9 points on 3/5 from behind the arc.

7:49:  Break in the action. AU officials are doing raffles during the commericals. In that same spirit, I'm proud to announce the following promotion:  first person to post a comment on this blog will be designated the official American Observer live blog "Fan of the Night." 

7:52: Second-chance opportunity kills Eagles on the last possession. CBS just shows graphic that Memphis is the only team with a better record over the last 15 games than AU.

7:53:  Carr hits a three, puts AU up by 4, 30-26.

7:55:  Crowd getting even larger here at the Tavern, no doubt a result of the excitement created by the live blog here at the American Observer.

7:56:  T-Shirt time has arrived in the Tavern! It's like I'm at a Wizards game, only there are a lot of people here, they're excited and there's a chance their team may win.

8:00:  Nichols picks up a loose ball, lays it in for 2. AU up by 6.

8:03:  Congrats to Observer reporter James Robertson for posting the first comment! I hereby designate you the Observer live blog "Fan of the Night." No prize, but a whole of pride comes with that title.
 
8:04:  Villanova muscles there way for 2. Eagles lead cut to 1. 32-31. Mercer drives to the hole for 2.

8:05:  Mercer scores another bucket on a fast break; he has the last six AU points. Eagles up seven. President Obama's bracket is in serious trouble.

8:08:  Another three! 41-31, Eagles. First half almost over. This place is about to explode.

8:09: I'd like to formally welcome Observer reporter Manuel Bewarder to the live blogging team. He's going to assist with uploading videos. This has got to be the largest live-blogging team of any online graduate journalism program magazine among the schools in the NCAA tournament. 

8:11:  Halftime. Ten point lead. Don't stop believing.

8:14:  Some halftime stats-- Leading scorers for AU:  Mercer 13, Carr 12 and Gilmore 9. Dante Cunningham and Dwayne Anderson setting the pace for 'Nova with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

8:24:  For your halftime entertainment....more video!

8:29:  Welcome back! "Let's go Eagles" chant opens the second half. Quick bucket for AU -- 43-31.

8:31:  Was that Dwyane Wade or Derrick Mercer that just put the Eagles up 14?

8:32:  Nova draws foul on Mercer with a ball fake.

8:34:  Poor shot selection could get 'Nova back in this with extra possesions.

8:37:  15:56 to go; nine point lead.

8:42:  Old-fashioned 3-point play from 'Nova cuts league to six. AU has to get Carr more involved in the offense right now.

8:43:  3 from Carr puts AU back up nine! Good call, Nick Perretti.

8:45:  Some belated halftime analysis from your blogging team. Video courtesy of Manuel:

8:48:  Homecooking on that call, says Nick.

8:50:  Full timeout for AU. Your score: AU 53, 'Nova 47.

8:55:  30 of Eagles 53 points have come from 3-point range. Back from timeout...nice up-and-under move from Gilmore. Defensive rebound Eagles. Up eight.

8:58:  No box-out leads to Nova off rebound and dunk.

9:00:  Definitely getting a bit concerned here at the ol' Tavern. Lead down to three.

9:01:  Fouls starting to become an issue for AU as 'Nova begins to exploit size advantage -- getting fouled everytime they go to the hoop.

9:02:  From this point on, the time stamp will be the time left in the game. Nice idea, Manuel. This is what happens when you have a 3-man live blogging brain trust.

7:36:  AU has to play tough defense and stop penetration. We're tied, folks.

7:12:  'Nova picking up the defensive effort, leading to a Mercer travel.

6:24:  Eagles ice-cold from field right now. 'Nova hits three, take lead.

5:26:  Did I mention the Eagles are ice-cold? Stop on the other end. AU needs ball movement..and a bucket.

5:05:  Carr re-enters the game, to the delight of the crowd here at the Tavern.

4:57:  Bit of a scuffle on the court. Tensions running high in Philly.

4:25:  Much needed jumper from Carr in the key.

3:50:  Strong drive to the hoop. 5 point lead from 'Nova. Crunch time.

2:45:  Circus shot from Carr keeps it at 5. The senior isn't letting this team go down without a fight.

2:45:  Worth noting:  AU was down by 5 with three to go against Army in the Pat League semifinal. Deja vu?

Well, folks, it looks like CBS has switched to the Michigan-Clemson game with 1:30 left in the AU game and the Eagles down nine.

49.9:  The good news:  CBS switched back to the AU game. The bad news:  AU down 74-63.

26.7:  Possibly the last field goal of Derrick Mercer's illustrious AU career.

---By the way, apologies for the change in time stamps. Turns out I misunderstood the suggestion, and this was quite confusing.  What can I say? Got caught up in the moment here at the Tavern. But you gotta give me credit for dreaming big.

FINAL SCORE:  Villanova 80, AU 67

The bad news is, the Eagles lost. The good news is, you're about to be treated to one final video analysis from your live blogging team. Thanks for joining us tonight, folks.