Follow CHJ via Twitter right here.

7:15: Four more on tap. Clemson-Michigan intrigues me most among the early games. Will Oliver Purnell finally get a win in The Tournament? Wow, nobody is in the arena in KC right now.

7:18: I consider it shocking: Minnesota up on Texas 13-5. American-Villanova is on tap, then Gonzaga will try and avoid Akron’s wrath around 7:35.

7:28: American tied it at 12 and I’m feeling really good about this batch of games. It’s incredible how much bigger Villanova’s guards look than American’s.

7:39: American hanging around, Gonzaga-Akron about to get going and we’ve got some Big Ten teams showing some offense! OK … Michigan has 17 points with seven minutes to go in the first half, so maybe I got a little too excited.

7:47: What’s the over/under on Bilas and Enberg’s “scrappy” description for American tonight? I feel comfortable setting the line at 6.5. And, amazingly, all four games are at a commercial right now. WHAT. THIS CANNOT BE. I DEMAND TO BE ENTERTAINED BY AT LEAST ONE GAME AT ALL TIMES.

7:55: American’s got that mojo. You know and I know it. It feels right. 30-26, they lead at the moment. Michigan enters the locker room with a 27-24 lead. Texas has taken a 35-29 advantage on Minn.

8:01: “Hamilton—HAMILTON!” I wish McDonough still called the Dance.

8:07: We’re due for a dramatic, frenzied next 60 minutes. You watch. And we just got our “this team is not scared” quip from Bilas! American goes into the half leading 41-31. Gonzaga having some trouble with Akron, only up four.

8:15: We’re far from it happening, but if Gonzaga loses this game, does it make the official switch from loveable to frustrating/unreliable?

8:27: Terrence Oglesby just got ejected from the Clemson game. I believe it was over an elbow. Akron leads Gonzaga by three as halftime approaches …

8:29: Enberg got a heavy dose of the makeup today. It’s starting to really solidify. Pipes sound fantastic.

8:31: American has opened up a 14-point lead, and there are gaps available in the paint.

8:34: Clemson down 14, seemingly letting us all down, but why do I feel a run is close by?

8:37: The shots are not falling for Minnesota; Texas leads, 56-44.. And what a great Steve Nash Vitamin Water commercial that was. “Don’t EVER put Phoenix and L.A. next to each other.”

8:43: Villanova on a 10-2 run, cutting the lead to 47-41, but there’s a 3 from American! Just waht the doctor ordered for the Eagles. Most of the country is getting this game right now.

8:47: Surprised by how well American is playing around the rim. And the Wildcats have yet to hit a 3 this half. That will surely change.

9:01: Just swung by the studio. Seth Davis is astounded by how much Villanova is settling for jump shots. All eyes in there glued on that game, of course. Most believe Villanova is getting the foul breaks and that’s the big stat.

9:05: And Villanova has tied it at 55 with 7:35 remaining.

9:10: There’s the roar of that Philadelphia crowd. American is tired.

9:12: Clemson: hang-eeng uh-rond. 58-52, Meesheeegan.

9:13: Why is that one official always pointing so furiously toward ‘Nova’s end of the floor?

9:15: No foul on a 3 attempt for Michigan, Clemson reound … has the ball and is going to the line with 1:08 to go.

9:20: After Manny Harris gets a three-point play, Booker gets a slam, Clemson down two with 27.8. 61-59.

9:22-9:25: Michigan inbounding the ball … Clemson has to foul … C’MON! And finally does with 13.1. … Michigan white boy I don’t know … first free throw just DANCES off the rim! He hits the second. And Clemson terribly mishandles that final offensive set. Game. Oh, and wouldn’t you know it, Villanova is up 13 now. Shit.

9:33: Villanova makes it seem like a mismatch for the record books. Final: 80-67. Now we switch over to Gonzaga, who’s on a 21-3 run and leading 64-52.

9:38: Gonzaga is on a 27-4 run. Let’s all stretch our legs. This one’s over. Time to prep the final live blog.