Expectations Fulfilled

March 13, 2009

WASHINGTON - Often, the most difficult things to accomplish in life are those things people expect you to accomplish with ease. Nowhere is that truer than in sports.

Ask the Baltimore Colts, who were 19-point favorites over the New York Jets in Super Bowl III back in 1969. Or, more recently, the undefeated New England Patriots, who were expected to roll over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. (That's 42 for those scoring at home)

There are plenty of other examples. In 1991 Nevada-Las Vegas arrived at The Final Four with a 34-0 record, expecting to walk through two games en route to a coronation. They never got to play the second game, losing in the semifinals to Duke. Tiger Woods is NEVER supposed to lose. When he does, people in golf go into a state of panic.

Which brings us to the 2008-2009 American basketball team. One season after making history with their march to The Patriot League title and the school's first Division I NCAA Tournament bid, the Eagles were supposed to repeat - and make it look easy.

After all, three starters returned and Coach Jeff Jones had seven seniors in all and some talented youngsters he could work in as role players. Derrick Mercer was a four year starter at point guard; Garrison Carr was as dangerous a three point shooter as there was in the country - much less The Patriot League.

AU was picked to finish first in the league. It was expected to repeat as champions. The players made it clear that anything LESS than a return to the NCAA Tournament would be a disappointment. Clinching an NIT berth by winning the regular season title was not cause for a major celebration.

"We've talked all year about the fact that we want another shot at the NCAA's," Brian Gilmore said several weeks ago. "If we don't get that chance, we're definitely going to feel let down."

Getting that chance wasn't easy. AU did win a second straight conference title, going 13-1--the only loss at Holy Cross. But there were some close calls, some difficult nights and it was apparent to Jones and everyone else that if Mercer ever got hurt or got into foul trouble this was a team without a rudder. That's why he was chosen as the league's MVP - no disrespect to the others but the Eagles HAD to have Mercer on the floor.

That was never more apparent than late in the first half of the tournament semifinal against Army. Mercer picked up his second foul with AU leading 20-17. In the last four-and-a-half minutes of the half, the Eagles were outscored 17-7 by a team not known for offensive fireworks.

As it turned out Mercer needed lots of help to survive that game. The Eagles were down 60-55 with two minutes left and Army had the basketball. If there ever was a moment to panic, this was it. The entire season was very much in jeopardy.

But no one panicked. All five players dug in and played great defense when they absolutely had to. Jordan Nichols hit a key bucket and blocked a shot. Gilmore hit a three. Mercer, playing with four fouls, played smart defense and didn't foul even with the Black Knights trying to attack him. When Gilmore made a free throw with 3.6 seconds left, the Eagles had survived.

Which left Holy Cross as the last barrier to a return to the NCAA's. Holy Cross, which had come into Bender Arena in 2002 and become the second team in league history to win a championship game on the road. Holy Cross, the one team with a win over AU in league play in 2009. Holy Cross, coached by Ralph Willard, as good a coach as there is at getting ready for a big game.

In the end though, the Eagles accomplished their mission. They made the plays they had to under the most difficult of circumstances: when they were SUPPOSED to make the plays, when coming up short - even just a little short - would have been devastating.

Now, it's back to the NCAA Tournament. Finally, this team can celebrate. Few teams have deserved it more.