With 40 seconds left in AU's March 8 Patriot League semi-finals game versus the U.S. Military Academy, everyone in Bender Arena was on their feet. Brian Gilmore had just scored a three-pointer to tie the game, 60-60, and most of us were suffering minor heart palpitations.
Jeff Jones called a 30-second timeout.
When it ended, our five active players - Jordan Nichols, Derrick Mercer, Nick Hendra, Garrison Carr and Gilmore - headed back out to center court and then paused for a quick huddle of their own.
As they broke away a few seconds later, every one of them had smiles on their faces.
In that moment, we all knew this is a team that's going all the way to the Big Dance.
After a spectacular game against the College of the Holy Cross, and for the second year in a row, the AU Eagles will be a part of March Madness.
You don't need me to tell you that we're an underdog.
Being an underdog, though, is underrated. A few years ago, a university in our own backyard was an underdog - a Cinderella of unlikely sorts. In 2006, George Mason University stunned everyone when they ran strong to the Final Four against all expectations.
Fifteen times since 1985 a No. 14 seed has beaten their opponent in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Why not us?
You can say we're an underdog. But that's right where we want to be because there's a chance, a glimmer of light, that AU just may be this year's Cinderella story.
Don't question it - believe it.
Naturally, there are naysayers, critics and cynics. There are people that don't believe.
But in the history of things being ranked, in the history of battle outcomes assumed before they are fought, predictions don't always come true. Sometimes, that foregone conclusion of victory is cast aside by the power of belief in an underdog, in a long shot, in a magic performance.
For such a historic upset - an upset that would catapult AU into the ranks of March Madness lore - we have to believe.
Place your cynicism aside, dig deep and find that optimistic pride that wells up inside you when you see the name American University up on the television, next to the schools that regularly compete on the national level.
You're worried about our first round match up against Villanova, but you have no reason to. You're worried that they're too tough a competitor.
News flash: Every team we have played were tough competitors. But so are we.
Picture it now, together with me.
Carr finds his happy place and keeps shooting threes from NBA range.
Gilmore comes through in a huge way.
Nichols continues to be the glue that sets up so many great plays.
Mercer consistently reminds us why he was named Patriot League Player of the Year.
If those things fall into place, if we believe, then friends, we need not worry.
Of course it's going to be a tough battle. But last year, versus No. 2 seed University of Tennessee, with six minutes to go, we were within a point.
We have a deeper bench now, Bryce Simon is healthy, and our players have matured across the board. We are more competitive in every way.
On March 8, you could tell. You could tell with that team huddle on the court in a tied game, that team huddle that ended with a joke and smiles on the faces of these Eagles.
They weren't fazed by a solid performance by Army. They relished it.
And if we're going to remind this nation what a Cinderella story looks like, we've got to have faith. And by doing so, we'll make an overconfident three-seed start to wonder just who these Eagles are. Let's hit this tournament and show we can win.
Eagles - don't stop believin'.
And to our competitors, to our worthy opponents: Bring it on.
Carl Seip is a senior in the School of Public Affairs and the AU issues columnist for The Eagle. You can reach him at edpage@theeagleonline.com.
