American Eagles NCAA Basketball News

American University head men's basketball coach Jeff Jones has announced the promotion of Eddie Jackson to assistant coach and the hiring of Bryce Simon as the director of basketball operations.

American University has announced several staff updates, including changes to the men's basketball staff, senior administration promotions and an update on a women's basketball alum.

What is a journalist to do when the team he must cover has changed from just an average squad to his alma mater's program? The simple answer is to leave everything to the action on the court.

The third-seeded Wildcats lost their home-court advantage and nearly lost the game, needing a late 19-2 run in the East Regional to fend off the Patriot League champions.

American's Bryce Simon has agreed to provide daily reports this week as the Eagles go to their second straight NCAA tournament.

Garrison Carr wasn't going to catch anyone by surprise this season. Not after averaging more than four three-pointers and 18 points per game as a junior last season, after scoring 30 points in a pair of league road games and scorching Tennessee for six three-pointers and 26 points in American University's first NCAA tournament appearance.

No, this winter promised to be different, and not in a good way for the 5-foot-11 guard who hardly played his first two seasons before rocketing onto the scene a year ago.

He would appreciate another. Today, for instance, when 14th-seeded American University - Chesapeake's Gilmore is a senior forward for the Eagles - faces No.

"I am most proud of the championships, getting here twice when nobody gave us a chance."- Senior forward Frank Borden "My heart goes out to all the AU fans who came out to support us today."-Sophomore forward Nick Hendra "I want to support the home team and they have had a great season and I don't want it to end."- Adrian Fenty, mayor of ...

The smallest man on the court has been making the biggest impression. And he does not need a loud mouth or a flashy game to get anyone's attention.

Coach Jeff Jones summed it up best when he said the AU men's basketball team left everything on the court.

The Eagles of American University got their first whiff of the NCAA basketball tournament last season and enjoyed the attention they received after playing second-seeded Tennessee tough for the more than three-quarters of the game.

American's Bryce Simon has agreed to provide daily reports this week as the Eagles go to their second straight NCAA tournament.

Villanova has the home court, this time it wants the advantage. Jay Wright's strongest memory of the Wildcats' first-round victory in 2006 at the Wachovia Center isn't that it was the first one on a path toward the regional final.

Borden and his American University teammates will play Villanova on Thursday at 5:20 p.m. at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

He protected his son from the drug dealers who hung around on their Jersey City block, and made sure the gang members knew better than to mess with his kid.

Even though he lived just outside of Seattle, Garrison Carr was somewhat familiar with the basketball programs at Maryland, Georgetown and George Washington.

Tom Knott Originally published 04:45 a.m., March 18, 2009, updated 09:15 p.m., March 17, 2009 The American University basketball team has elected to ignore the unfavorable venue that accompanied its 14th seed in the East Region.

American's Bryce Simon has agreed to provide daily reports this week as the Eagles go to their second straight NCAA tournament.

After winning their second straight Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship, the American Eagles found out their NCAA Tournament opponent and destination on Sunday when they received the No.

The Tavern, the prime gathering place in the heart of American University's campus for the announcement of the NCAA tournament pairings last night, was jammed with players, the pep band, students just returning from spring break, alumni and cheerleaders.

Half the field had already been unveiled when senior guard Derrick Mercer, sitting on a couch with teammates in front of a giant television, turned to Frank Borden and Jordan Nichols.

'I was talking on the side with them and said: 'You know what? I've got a feeling we are getting Villanova,' ' Mercer said. 'Jordan felt it as well. And when Villanova popped on the screen, I was like, 'Here we go!' '