For the never-beens, a rare shot at NCAA glory

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2008 | by Erik Brady and Steve Berkowitz

WASHINGTON -- Why isn't American University America's Team?

Its colors are red, white and blue. It plays in the Patriot League. And its mascot is an eagle.

Here's the rub: AU has never put the madness in March. The Eagles are among the schools that have played NCAA Division I men's basketball the longest without making the national tournament. They've been at it since 1967.

Friday offers new hope: American plays Colgate at home in the conference tournament final (4:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The winner goes to the NCAA tournament.

"Now that we're here, we have to live in the moment," AU guard Garrison Carr says. "You don't know when the opportunity will come again."

The University of Hartford (in Division I since 1985) and University...