Trocchi: Don't stop believin'

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Writer: Bill Trocchi
Game: American vs. Tennessee
Post time: 1:52 PM, Friday

BIRMINGHAM -- The American band just played Journey's Don't Stop Believin’ during a timeout with 13:20 to play. Thus far, the Eagles haven't.

Thanks to Garrison Carr, American's undersized marksman, the Eagles are hanging step-for-step with the bigger, badder Vols, much to the delight of a packed American cheering section located across the court from Jeff Jones and his bracket-busting hopefuls. American's other sub-6-foot guard, Derrick Mercer, is also confounding the Vols with drives to the basket and his ability to break the press.

Tennessee settled for outside shots in the first half rather than trying to pound the ball inside and take advantage of its superior frontcourt players. The Vols are going inside more in the second half but haven't been able to take control.

A shocking upset isn't quite in the making yet, but this 2 vs. 15 matchup has been more of a game than we thought at this point.