OSU wins, 78-57

Well, the magical run comes to an end. It's been a great season for the Blue Devils and while a victory would have been nice, no one in Elmer's Place is hanging their head.

Whether it was Mojica's rise to fame, the team's 19 wins in 21 games or just the way they carried themselves across campus, several fans around the bar have already begun talking next season. There are bound to be many changes with four of the nine players leaving including Javier Mojica, who was named one of the players of the game. Mojica ended with 19 points and 6 rebounds.

"Hey, it was fun," said one fan on his way out the door. "That's really what it's all about."

This has been Jason Vallee reporting from Elmer's Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain. Take heed of that last message because for a small school like CCSU, that's what this tournament is all about.

CCSU Pride

Under four minutes to go. Down by 20. It looks like time is running out on NEC MVP Javier Mojica and the CCSU Blue Devils, but the school pride will not go with it. Still attentive on the game, junior Andy Layer said the feeling the team has brought has been indescribable.

"It's given everyone on campus something to feel good about. The way they played, the way they carried themselves has brought everyone together across the University," he said.

"Howie and the boys have been representing Central all year. I am nothing but proud of our school thanks to these guys," said senior Derek Helmecki.

The lone OSU fan...

Taking a walk around the bar, I came across a kid wearing an Ohio State hat. I turned to him and asked what he expected at the finish and he pointed to his hat and responded "more of the same." He quietly turned back to his drink until I asked him to talk.

John, a senior at OSU who wished to withhold his last name for obvious reasons, said he has been a fan of OSU forever. He added that despite his allegiance, he has not cheered all night long. He said he has OSU on his brackets, but was hoping for a great game from CCSU to keep it respectable.

"Watching the selection show Sunday, we were all hoping they would be a #15 seed, but as the first two regions went by, we knew they would be playing the Buckeyes," he said. "I can't root against my team, but I wish nothing the best for the University."

John says the Buckeyes have played in a stronger conference all year and Greg Oden was just too much of a beast for an undersized CCSU squad.

"I just want to see them finish strong so they can say they beat the spread."

The initial come back...

Down 57-41 at the commercial break, a quiet bar has sparked back to life although concerns over Mojica's ability to continue linger. Mojica and Seymore threes have made it interesting for the moment and have lifted the spirits of the crowd here at Elmer's Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain.

With 24 point spread just a minute ago, the cut into the lead has caused the excitement to pick up. At this point, no one is expecting a victory, but fans are thinking it'll be a respectable finish.

Mojica remains down as the break returns and fans cheered when he finally made his way back on to the court. An older fan walking by the bar commented that "the kid has some real heart."

Oden

As Jamar Butler hits a three, attention here at Elmer's Place turns to Buckeyes center Greg Oden and his appearance.

"Oden has to be at least 37," said one bar-goer. A second added "he has to be the oldest looking guy in college basketball," and a third asked "is he even eligible to be playing?"

At 7 feet tall, Oden has dominated the inside game and fans are beginning to question whether he's even a legal student at all. The 19-year-old is playing with an injured hand and has made 62 percent shooting with his off-hand, helping prove why he is projected as the number one pick in this year's NBA draft.

Half-time

One and done. Looks like it'll only be one game for the Devil's in their 2007 campaign and fans are getting the sense as well. Some have begun to joke that the way to beat the big men on the Buckeyes is to literally use the stones that were given to the players by CCSU President Jack Miller Tuesday.

It's 38-17 at the half and with the spread at 22 points, there is a likely chance they may not even make that.

Down more than they've been able to score at this point, 1995 graduate Dan Outler says the problem has not been defense, but their inability to get inside and put points on the board. Defensively they are not off pace, 76 is below the average which #1 teams have put up in the first round, but the team can't get anything going offensively.

In the paint, the Buckeyes have been too much, out rebounding and by far outscoring the Blue Devils and will need to make some serious adjustments if they hope to at least climb back in and make a game of it.

"I don't know if it's shock or what, but I hope they come out and show what they're truly capable of and at least make a game of it," Outler said.

Student section

As the 8 o'clock hour approaches, the back-bar here at Elmer's Place has filled with a student section filled with blue and white, but the energy levels remain low and their eyes remain glued with anxious anticipation that the Devils will be able to make a run. With four minutes to play in the half, several fans have turned away, saying "we're in trouble."

Not all fans are negative about the game, however. In the front bar, local residents conversing have complimented the team on making the tournament, saying "at least they've had this run. These kids helped put hard-hitting New Britain back on the map."

Defensive hopes

"Defense, defense!" the bar-goers roar at Elmer's Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain. A lull in scoring by the Buckeyes who came out firing early has beloved local coach Howie Dickenman clapping and the fans attentive with the belief that they could shut down the Buckeyes on a few possessions.

As they came out with ball following the the time stoppage, the fans are calling for Mojica to begin aiming the three...

19-9

Although trailing by a score of 17-3, the bar sparked new life after Joe Seymore and Javier Mojica hit two consecutive three point shots to bring the score to 19-9.

With each basket, many fans at the bar are unwilling to let the cheers die and have even brought blue and whit balloons to tie next to each television. Each rebound against the much larger Buckeye squad has also drawn claps from students and alumni cheering on their hometown heroes.

"They started hot, hitting us with three's," said senior Marc Tardif. "As a student though, I'm not giving up. I mean this is New Britain."

In a quick hole...

At 7:14 p.m., the crowd at Elmer's Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain, erupts abruptly as CCSU scores their first points on a three by Joe Seymore, but the energy quickly drained when the Buckeyes jumped to a 14-3 lead, followed by a shot-clock violation.

"That's it, game over," one fan said turning from the television. The sense is that the team is over-matched, but not everyone is willing to give up yet.

"They need to step it up, but their a second-half team man," said Erik Bird, New Britain resident. "I just hope they don't fall too far behind too early."

OSU takes off...

Explosive cheers filled the air as the Devils stop OSU cold, but quickly die down on the failure to hit a shot followed by two OSU three-point baskets.

The bar has quieted significantly with the majority turning their attention from friends to the televisions.

Tip-off

"In order for them to win, they have to shut down Oden and make sure they execute on their shots," said a 2006 alumni named Matt enjoying the game from Elmer's Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain.

Anticipation is building and people have turned toward the television as the game is set to begin. Students in attendance say the key to victory is being able to contain Ohio State star Greg Oden and turn it into a three point shoot-out. Jemino Sobers will play the x-factor and if he can battle with Oden down low and Javier Mojica, Tristan Blackwood and Obie Nwadike can hit their shots, the Blue Devil fans believe their team could make it a game.

Tip-off approaches...

You can feel the buzz in the air and whether the fans believe the Blue Devils can actually win or not, everyone has expressed a sense of pride to be able to root for this team in the NCAA Tournament. The pending spring break has not drawn the early birds from coming to the bar and waiting anxiously for the start of the game.

"This team came to the tournament with only nine players and they will be facing one of the toughest big men in the nation down low," said CCSU Freshman Paul Casey. "This team had a lot of heart to even get to the dance and you know they will still come out and give it their all."

2002 graduate Emilio Theodoratos said that while he realizes there is a huge challenge ahead, anyone can have a good day or a bad one. If CCSU has the good day, he feels the Blue Devils could keep it close and have that chance at an upset.

Tune in at 7 p.m. for tip-off reaction!

60 minutes before tip-off...

Six o’clock. One hour to game time and despite Ohio State finishing the season with the number one power ranking and the Blue Devils ending at 178 (power rankings include league, point differential, strength of schedule and more), students and alumni have already entered Elmer’s Place, 1433 East St. in New Britain, with high hopes and anticipation of a potential upset. There has never been a #16 team that has won in the first-round of the tournament.

Staff here at Elmer’s have decorated their faces with paint, fans are wearing their favorite blue-and-white memorabilia and are praying for a victory. Knowing they are a serious underdog, several have even entered shouting “I feel an upset!”

Introduction

Good evening, Devils fans, Herald reporter Jason Vallee here coming to you live from Elmer's Bar, 1433 East St., in the Hardware City. I'll be here all night with CCSU students and alumni watching the CCSU Blue Devils take on Greg Oden and the Buckeyes.

I've been a reporter for the Herald for two years now and have helped cover the team's run through the NEC Tournament in 2006 and 2007.

Check in just before tip-off for the latest in news and keep your browser locked-in as we follow the team and fans throughout the course of the game!

WELCOME

This is a LIVE blog of Central Conencticut's NCAA Tournament game against Ohio State coming to you live from Elmer's in New Britain. Tip-Off is Thursday night at 7 p.m.