Friday, January 30, 2009

Beltway Basketball Bonanza...Dark days in and around the District...

These are the times that try basketball fans souls...with February Fever just around the corner there are nervous looks around the region--and it's not just about the first snow of the winter...


By the way, mad props to President Obama for calling out the DC area's lack of ability to adjust to snowfall and ice...as one of many in the region who grew up in a colder climate it's about time somebody pointed out the obvious. Although the area shutdown when winter gets bad means fewer people who can't drive in the snow on the roads.


What happened to the Georgetown team that ripped Syracuse 88-74? After a hard-fought defeat at Duke, three straight Big East losses have dropped the Hoyas to 3-5 in the conference...the last two teams lost a combined six league games. The offense has gone south--after averaging 70+ points per game the club has struggled to reach 60 the past few weeks...and a banged up DeJuan Summers is the last thing coach John Thompson III needs.
Next up--a Saturday matinee at 8th ranked Marquette (Golden Eagles are unbeaten in conference play)...


24 Update--shouting and shooting are the norm as the best show on television completes its first month back...and I'm glad they explained how Tony "dying" was "all part of the plan". The President's husband suddenly regaining control of his hands as he was about to be hung was thrilling yet hilarious at the same time...I'm not a fan of "FBI-90210" where the field director likes the redhead who's off with Jack while the computer guy nobody likes is married but having a fling with an analyst...co-starring Janeanne Garafolo as "Pseudo-Andrea"-- by the way, if they go to the Agency Commissary and Joe E. Tata is flipping hash...I'm out.


Maryland continues to hit new lows, only to find that there's worse. The loss to Duke (even though it was a blowout) is understood--but wasting an 11 point lead at home to Boston College represents another crater the Terps will try to climb out of. This team feels like Virginia last year, except the part of Sean Singletary is being played by Greivis Vasquez...only with more volatility. A lot has been said about the lack of talented recruits in the program--and I think it traces back to the departure of Billy Hahn as the top assistant back in 2001...followed by the seemingly annual turnover of assistants--creating little stability recruitingwise (which is a multi-year process not just with players but with their coaches). Next up: Saturday against Miami at Comcast (Terps lost a heartbreaker in Florida).

George Washington's season-long tumble continues...a tenth straight loss has the team looking at not making it's own conference tournament for a second straight season after three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Rob Diggs and Damian Hollis just aren't getting enough help...Next up: a February 4th date with unbeaten in the Atlantic Ten Richmond...ouch.

George Mason was able to wipe out a two game losing streak by topping Delaware 78-55. The Patriots stand a game behind Northeastern in the CAA...and GMU gets the Huskies at home next month. Next up: a Saturday trip to always-tough Old Dominion.

American finds itself chasing Holy Cross after a tough loss in Worcester last weekend. Nice 68-67 thriller over Navy (28 points from Garrison Carr)...the Eagles are a half game behind the Crusaders as we near February. Next up: Lafayette Saturday...the Leopards are 2-4 in the league making this a must win home game.

Howard followed a weekend of back to back home wins by getting routed on the road by Morgan State and Coppin State...Next up: Saturday at home against North Carolina A&T.

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