March enters like a Lion and ends like a Lamb? I don't know about the lion part but the hopes and dreams of college basketball teams end with a thud.
Georgetown saw its March slide conclude with a 74-56 loss to VCU... as the Rams were busy transforming themselves from "the worst at-large team ever to make the even-expanded field" to Cinderella Darlings. Seniors Austin Freeman and Chris Wright closed out their careers shooting a combined 6 of 27 and 0-13 from three point range. While Wright was injured during the five game flameout the disappearance of Julian Vaughn (2-21 from the field during the swoon) was equally as debilitating. Bring on the Hollis Thompson era.
Alma Mater Update-- a rough finish for the Orange saw Syracuse stumble in the second round 66-62 to Marquette (a team they lost to earlier this year) with a blown backcourt call to feed my conspiracy friends. How do you lose to a team coached by Curly of the Three Stooges? Maybe Larry Fine's a relative of Bernie Fine-- I don't know. Still, a tough way for a season that had quite a bit of optimism surrounding it (18-0 start and a #3 ranking) to end.
Big Least? After getting a record 11 schools into the NCAA Tournament, the Big East went 9-9 with just two schools advancing to the Sweet Sixteen-- UConn and Marquette. I wasn't a fan of bracketing conference schools together in first weekend foursomes... and anyone could have figured slumping Villanova and Georgetown wouldn't stay long... and underachievers Pitt and Notre Dame... well you get the picture.
George Mason after a last-second thriller against Villanova but couldn't keep up with the #1 team in the nation... slipping to Ohio State 98-66. Anytime David Lighty lights you up for 7 of 7 from three point range-- it's not going to be a good night. The Patriots put a 27-7 season to bed with plenty of talent coming back next year... as Cam Long gets quite a senior sendoff.
The Capital of Basketball? Evidently Richmond did rise again-- with a pair of teams in the sweet sixteen. While VCU is in the Regional Semifinals for the first time ever, Richmond is more than an occasional upstart in the big dance- although this is the schools second ever trip to the second weekend. And who wouldn't want to see the Rams and Spiders square off Sunday?
Snubbed-- from the NIT quarterfinals... Virginia Tech had cause to say they belonged in the NCAA's. Unfortunately, they didn't play their way into the Tournament-- and played their way out of the NIT with a home loss to Wichita State.
Maryland Women's Moment-- the tone was set from the opening tipoff when Georgetown stole the ball from Anjale Barrett... the Hoyas jumped out to an 11-0 lead, closed the first half on an 11-3 run and began the second half on an 11-2 run. Other than that... Sugar Rodgers was unstoppable (21 of her 34 points came in the first half on 6 of 8 three point shooting) and Georgetown advances with a 79-57 win. Maryland regroups after a 24-8 season with everybody coming back this fall.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Bold, Fold, and Gold in the Big Dance...
Every year there's a rush to fill out sheets and figure out who will advance, who will steal our hearts and who will break them. Coupled with St. Patrick's Day... the President making picks... and a Husky bailout it'll be one incredible day. Time for the annual BOLD (lower seed to surprise), FOLD (beware these favorites) and GOLD (who gets into the Final Four) picks.
East-- the regional weekend shifts to Newark from the tried and true East Rutherford... I'm hoping eventually they'll build an arena in Paterson. Bold-- Xavier begins its tournament run in Cleveland against a bad Marquette team (I thought the Golden Eagles didn't belong in the field) and potentially play a Syracuse team that has had trouble defending the three. Fold-- Kentucky has been consistently uneven this winter and plays a Princeton team that will stretch them in every way; and coach John Calipari's teams never outperform their seed. Gold-- North Carolina has lost two games in the last two months-- both to a red-hot Duke. After not caring about last weekend's ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels infuriate everyone by turning it on and off at a whim when it suits them.
Notes on the "First Four"-- I was actually more interested in the NIT games... a shame St. Mary's lost with Teenwolf playing for them (Rob Jones)-- perhaps he should have stayed the wolf throughout the final minute of play.
Southeast-- I was surprised to see Michigan State make the field... and the Big Ten was the home to uglyball this past winter. Word is instead of waterboarding they show gametapes to suspects. Bold-- Old Dominion upset Notre Dame last year-- and has the talent to win a pair of rounds this year... especially against a Pitt club that falters in March. Fold-- BYU has the tournament's best player... but lost a key component a few weeks ago and doesn't defend well. Gold-- Florida has a decent draw and the Gators have played better as the season's progressed. Billy Donovan is a proven tourney coach too.
Southwest-- not the Midwest mind you... as this has been referred to in the past... as the NCAA must keep directional integrity. Bold-- Georgetown was 10-5 in the Big East when guard Chris Wright went down with a broken hand... Hoyas are 7-4 under coach John Thompson III's tenure. Fold-- Louisville reached the Big East finals last week... but under coach Rick Pitino recently the Cardinals have developed a reputation as a lamb rather than a lion in March. Gold-- Notre Dame completes my Big East fixation... the Fighting Irish no longer have the guy who took Brenda Walsh to the senior prom but Mike Brey's bunch looks like they will break through.
West-- UConn is in the dance with the major bounce of having won five games in five days at the Big East Tournament... and I have tickets to the games at Verizon so I invited my buddy "UCONN JAMES"-- and he respectfully declined, saying he was partying on St. Patty's Day. I was shocked that a Husky fan would skip watching his team. Bold-- Temple tangles with a less than beautiful Penn State (36 points in a win? Only in the Big Ten!) and a San Diego State that is largely a mystery. Fold-- UConn spent itself to get to the dance... and UCONN JAMES won't even watch them play? I'm ashamed to even know you, buddy-- and your Huskies will feel the pain. Gold--Duke has played well all season and gets guard Kyrie Irving back for the tournament-- game, set, match.
East-- the regional weekend shifts to Newark from the tried and true East Rutherford... I'm hoping eventually they'll build an arena in Paterson. Bold-- Xavier begins its tournament run in Cleveland against a bad Marquette team (I thought the Golden Eagles didn't belong in the field) and potentially play a Syracuse team that has had trouble defending the three. Fold-- Kentucky has been consistently uneven this winter and plays a Princeton team that will stretch them in every way; and coach John Calipari's teams never outperform their seed. Gold-- North Carolina has lost two games in the last two months-- both to a red-hot Duke. After not caring about last weekend's ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels infuriate everyone by turning it on and off at a whim when it suits them.
Notes on the "First Four"-- I was actually more interested in the NIT games... a shame St. Mary's lost with Teenwolf playing for them (Rob Jones)-- perhaps he should have stayed the wolf throughout the final minute of play.
Southeast-- I was surprised to see Michigan State make the field... and the Big Ten was the home to uglyball this past winter. Word is instead of waterboarding they show gametapes to suspects. Bold-- Old Dominion upset Notre Dame last year-- and has the talent to win a pair of rounds this year... especially against a Pitt club that falters in March. Fold-- BYU has the tournament's best player... but lost a key component a few weeks ago and doesn't defend well. Gold-- Florida has a decent draw and the Gators have played better as the season's progressed. Billy Donovan is a proven tourney coach too.
Southwest-- not the Midwest mind you... as this has been referred to in the past... as the NCAA must keep directional integrity. Bold-- Georgetown was 10-5 in the Big East when guard Chris Wright went down with a broken hand... Hoyas are 7-4 under coach John Thompson III's tenure. Fold-- Louisville reached the Big East finals last week... but under coach Rick Pitino recently the Cardinals have developed a reputation as a lamb rather than a lion in March. Gold-- Notre Dame completes my Big East fixation... the Fighting Irish no longer have the guy who took Brenda Walsh to the senior prom but Mike Brey's bunch looks like they will break through.
West-- UConn is in the dance with the major bounce of having won five games in five days at the Big East Tournament... and I have tickets to the games at Verizon so I invited my buddy "UCONN JAMES"-- and he respectfully declined, saying he was partying on St. Patty's Day. I was shocked that a Husky fan would skip watching his team. Bold-- Temple tangles with a less than beautiful Penn State (36 points in a win? Only in the Big Ten!) and a San Diego State that is largely a mystery. Fold-- UConn spent itself to get to the dance... and UCONN JAMES won't even watch them play? I'm ashamed to even know you, buddy-- and your Huskies will feel the pain. Gold--Duke has played well all season and gets guard Kyrie Irving back for the tournament-- game, set, match.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- bring on the brackets!
As the dust settles from Selection Sunday and everyone's looking at Morehead State's press handling as well as Butler's 3-point shooting... more than a few local angles as the Madness ensues--
First Four issues-- I'm not a fan with shipping teams off to a non-destination Tuesday/Wednesday and then sending them elsewhere (Chicago, Washington, Tampa , Cleveland)... if you're going to have these games why not just move them immediately to the city where they're bound? You'll save on travel-- plus give the kids the feel of not being in a play-in game. And as you know, it's all about the kids. I'm also amused with the language regarding the First Four and what used to the be first/second rounds... now referring to Thursday and Friday's games as "second round" seems a little odd. My perfect solution? Have the first four be automatic qualifiers meeting on Sunday-- a quadrupleheader that would give the schools involved a chance to regroup before facing a #1 seed. Call that the "First Four"-- but then go back to "first round Thursday".
Georgetown gets a #6 seed in the Southwest region... with a first round matchup in Chicago against the winner of Wednesday's VCU-USC matchup (no truth to the rumor both made the "first four" because as schools known by initials- they'd be easier to fit on a bracket line). With Chris Wright back in the lineup--in theory the Hoyas will return to the team that started Big East play 10-5 and not the one that lost four straight.
Big East Bonanza-- okay, I get it, the league is good-- but 11 bids? Marquette was awfully mediocre at times. And I'm not excited with the bracketing of the teams-- we could have Syracuse-Marquette and Cincinnati-UConn in the second round. I was hoping for first weekend intraconference separation.
Alma Mater Update-- I jumped in on tickets as the front man for first and second round games hoping the Orange would be placed at Verizon... unfortunately I get three other Big East teams and an extra ticket -- I even tried to unload it on a friend I call "UCONN JAMES" because he allegedly is the most unrealistically foolish Husky fan ever... and he's enjoying Kegs and Eggs instead on St. Patrick's Day. So much for buying pants. Syracuse gets a #3 seed in the East and faces Indiana State at Cleveland... with a potential second round matchup against Xavier or Marquette.
George Mason makes its way to Cleveland as well for a first round game against sinking stone Villanova (5 straight losses)...and would then likely play #1 overall seed Ohio State for a shot at the sweet sixteen. Not an ideal draw-- but the Patriots have slayed giants before in the NCAA Tournament. Just not in their home state.
Snubbed! Who would have thought after Virginia Tech upset #1 Duke sixteen days ago the Hokies would be a top seed in the NIT again. While coach Seth Greenburg tried to assert that somebody must have an agenda against the Hokies-- and if the agenda included getting swept by Virginia, getting blown out at home by Boston College the final week of the regular season and a non-conference slate that saw an improvement in schedule but with no victories to show for it-- I'm in.
Maryland not only misses out on the NCAA but the NIT as well-- the first time since 1993 the Terps are headed nowhere. The season turned on two pivots-- consecutive losses at Boston College and Virginia Tech put them on the outside looking in... while back to back double digit defeats to Miami and Virginia helped seal their at-large fate. What happens now? Hopefully Jordan Williams comes back for his junior season... the huge freshman class makes the leap over the summer and coach Gary Williams brings in fresh talent this fall. Since expansion of the ACC... the Terps have gone 4-7 with just one semifinal appearance (Virginia Tech has three). In the previous seven seasons, Maryland went 9-6 with six semifinal showings... two trips to the finals and the 2004 title. The seeds of Selection Sunday are sown by those who show up Saturday in the ACC Tournament.
First Four issues-- I'm not a fan with shipping teams off to a non-destination Tuesday/Wednesday and then sending them elsewhere (Chicago, Washington, Tampa , Cleveland)... if you're going to have these games why not just move them immediately to the city where they're bound? You'll save on travel-- plus give the kids the feel of not being in a play-in game. And as you know, it's all about the kids. I'm also amused with the language regarding the First Four and what used to the be first/second rounds... now referring to Thursday and Friday's games as "second round" seems a little odd. My perfect solution? Have the first four be automatic qualifiers meeting on Sunday-- a quadrupleheader that would give the schools involved a chance to regroup before facing a #1 seed. Call that the "First Four"-- but then go back to "first round Thursday".
Georgetown gets a #6 seed in the Southwest region... with a first round matchup in Chicago against the winner of Wednesday's VCU-USC matchup (no truth to the rumor both made the "first four" because as schools known by initials- they'd be easier to fit on a bracket line). With Chris Wright back in the lineup--in theory the Hoyas will return to the team that started Big East play 10-5 and not the one that lost four straight.
Big East Bonanza-- okay, I get it, the league is good-- but 11 bids? Marquette was awfully mediocre at times. And I'm not excited with the bracketing of the teams-- we could have Syracuse-Marquette and Cincinnati-UConn in the second round. I was hoping for first weekend intraconference separation.
Alma Mater Update-- I jumped in on tickets as the front man for first and second round games hoping the Orange would be placed at Verizon... unfortunately I get three other Big East teams and an extra ticket -- I even tried to unload it on a friend I call "UCONN JAMES" because he allegedly is the most unrealistically foolish Husky fan ever... and he's enjoying Kegs and Eggs instead on St. Patrick's Day. So much for buying pants. Syracuse gets a #3 seed in the East and faces Indiana State at Cleveland... with a potential second round matchup against Xavier or Marquette.
George Mason makes its way to Cleveland as well for a first round game against sinking stone Villanova (5 straight losses)...and would then likely play #1 overall seed Ohio State for a shot at the sweet sixteen. Not an ideal draw-- but the Patriots have slayed giants before in the NCAA Tournament. Just not in their home state.
Snubbed! Who would have thought after Virginia Tech upset #1 Duke sixteen days ago the Hokies would be a top seed in the NIT again. While coach Seth Greenburg tried to assert that somebody must have an agenda against the Hokies-- and if the agenda included getting swept by Virginia, getting blown out at home by Boston College the final week of the regular season and a non-conference slate that saw an improvement in schedule but with no victories to show for it-- I'm in.
Maryland not only misses out on the NCAA but the NIT as well-- the first time since 1993 the Terps are headed nowhere. The season turned on two pivots-- consecutive losses at Boston College and Virginia Tech put them on the outside looking in... while back to back double digit defeats to Miami and Virginia helped seal their at-large fate. What happens now? Hopefully Jordan Williams comes back for his junior season... the huge freshman class makes the leap over the summer and coach Gary Williams brings in fresh talent this fall. Since expansion of the ACC... the Terps have gone 4-7 with just one semifinal appearance (Virginia Tech has three). In the previous seven seasons, Maryland went 9-6 with six semifinal showings... two trips to the finals and the 2004 title. The seeds of Selection Sunday are sown by those who show up Saturday in the ACC Tournament.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Bleak Week...
Did anyone think the sun would ever shine again in and around the Beltway? George Washington, Georgetown, Howard, Virginia-- TIM-BERR! And that's not even including the weekend woes of American, George Mason, Maryland and Virginia Tech. There was no joy anywhere near the nation's capital...until the Terps and Hokies made Conference Tournament Week passable.
Maryland (19-13) snapped a three game losing streak by beating North Carolina State 75-67... with another double-double from Jordan Williams (16 points and 13 rebounds) and solid perimeter defense (Wolfpack shot 2 of 14 from three point range). The Terps quarterfinal opponent will pose a much bigger problem from outside-- as Duke made a combined 16 off 44 three's during their regular season sweep. Freshman Terrell Stoglin scored 5 points in the home and home with the Blue Devils-- and after notching 7 straight double digit efforts has been held to 9 points in consecutive contests (shooting 7 of 18).
Cruising the Commonwealth-- classic good news, bad news in the Dominion. Virginia Tech (20-10) is back on the threshold of the field of 68 thanks to a 59-43 smackdown of Georgia Tech-- a win over Florida State in the quarterfinals should all but punch their ticket. Virginia (16-15) was 35 seconds away from facing North Carolina before coughing up a 10 point lead in the final minute of regulation...the end result a 69-62 loss in overtime to Miami. Especially after the way the Cavaliers played in the final weeks of the regular season, not the preferred ACC Tournament memory to build upon.
Georgetown (21-10) saw its rudderless descent continue with a 79-62 loss to UConn... which in retrospect doesn't look too bad after the Huskies bounced regular season champ Pitt. And although they need their senior point guard back in the worst way-- their collapse isn't nearly as bad as Villanova: the Wildcats (once 16-1) have dropped five straight (one to South Florida... South Florida?!)...7 of 9 and 10 of 15. Nova's body of work gets them in the tournament, I guess... but if there's a case for dropping one of the presumed eleven Big East schools-- Jay Wright's team tops the list.
Alma Mater Update-- happy to say... Syracuse (26-6) took the extended NY invitational (its "quadrant" in the tourney had Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. Johns)-- pushing past the Red Storm 79-73 thanks to a 16-7 finishing kick. Brandon Triche had the game many felt he needed to have for this team to succeed in the halfcourt... and Fab Melo may be actually starting to live up to the outsized expectations that only come with the names "Fab" and "Melo". SU plays UConn in the semifinals-- and many are hyping this as "the first Big East Tournament meeting between these two schools since their six overtime affair"... as if it was Georgetown-Villanova in the NCAA Tournament. It's only been two years!
George Washington (17-14) was upset in the first round of the Atlantic Ten tournament... slipping in overtime to St. Joseph's 71-59. They were lucky to get to the extra session-- trailing by 14 in the second half. Tony Taylor tallied 22 points... but that wasn't enough for one of the area's more lacking offensive teams (276th in scoring, 284th in shooting). Now it's on to the NIT or CBI or whatever the Zeppo of second tier tournaments is called.
Howard (6-24) wrapped up the season with a 68-53 loss in the first round of the MEAC Tournament to Norfolk State... actually leading 39-32 before missing 14 straight shots. If you thought GW had offensive issues-- wait until you hear about the toothless Bison. 341st in scoring, 342nd in shooting and 343rd in assists.
Maryland (19-13) snapped a three game losing streak by beating North Carolina State 75-67... with another double-double from Jordan Williams (16 points and 13 rebounds) and solid perimeter defense (Wolfpack shot 2 of 14 from three point range). The Terps quarterfinal opponent will pose a much bigger problem from outside-- as Duke made a combined 16 off 44 three's during their regular season sweep. Freshman Terrell Stoglin scored 5 points in the home and home with the Blue Devils-- and after notching 7 straight double digit efforts has been held to 9 points in consecutive contests (shooting 7 of 18).
Cruising the Commonwealth-- classic good news, bad news in the Dominion. Virginia Tech (20-10) is back on the threshold of the field of 68 thanks to a 59-43 smackdown of Georgia Tech-- a win over Florida State in the quarterfinals should all but punch their ticket. Virginia (16-15) was 35 seconds away from facing North Carolina before coughing up a 10 point lead in the final minute of regulation...the end result a 69-62 loss in overtime to Miami. Especially after the way the Cavaliers played in the final weeks of the regular season, not the preferred ACC Tournament memory to build upon.
Georgetown (21-10) saw its rudderless descent continue with a 79-62 loss to UConn... which in retrospect doesn't look too bad after the Huskies bounced regular season champ Pitt. And although they need their senior point guard back in the worst way-- their collapse isn't nearly as bad as Villanova: the Wildcats (once 16-1) have dropped five straight (one to South Florida... South Florida?!)...7 of 9 and 10 of 15. Nova's body of work gets them in the tournament, I guess... but if there's a case for dropping one of the presumed eleven Big East schools-- Jay Wright's team tops the list.
Alma Mater Update-- happy to say... Syracuse (26-6) took the extended NY invitational (its "quadrant" in the tourney had Rutgers, Seton Hall and St. Johns)-- pushing past the Red Storm 79-73 thanks to a 16-7 finishing kick. Brandon Triche had the game many felt he needed to have for this team to succeed in the halfcourt... and Fab Melo may be actually starting to live up to the outsized expectations that only come with the names "Fab" and "Melo". SU plays UConn in the semifinals-- and many are hyping this as "the first Big East Tournament meeting between these two schools since their six overtime affair"... as if it was Georgetown-Villanova in the NCAA Tournament. It's only been two years!
George Washington (17-14) was upset in the first round of the Atlantic Ten tournament... slipping in overtime to St. Joseph's 71-59. They were lucky to get to the extra session-- trailing by 14 in the second half. Tony Taylor tallied 22 points... but that wasn't enough for one of the area's more lacking offensive teams (276th in scoring, 284th in shooting). Now it's on to the NIT or CBI or whatever the Zeppo of second tier tournaments is called.
Howard (6-24) wrapped up the season with a 68-53 loss in the first round of the MEAC Tournament to Norfolk State... actually leading 39-32 before missing 14 straight shots. If you thought GW had offensive issues-- wait until you hear about the toothless Bison. 341st in scoring, 342nd in shooting and 343rd in assists.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- the cookie crumbles after a weekend washout...
Sunday's monsoon in DC was symbolic of the type of weekend the college basketball teams had (with GW the exception)...: from the Maryland Womens' team's loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Quarterfinals to American's thriller with Lafayette... local teams had their heads handed to them-- with underwhelming and sometimes maddening results. Not the way you want to go into March. Much like learning your mom bought 5 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies--only to find out they're the experimental flavor "Thank You Berry Much". More on my cookie bracket later... :
Maryland (18-12, 7-9) ended its regular season with a 74-60 thud against Virginia. Lack of intensity hurt the Terps early-- and the inability to contain Sammy Zeglinski (6-7 from three point range, 25 points) helped ruin senior day. Now the Terps tangle with tenth place North Carolina State-- a school that dropped four of its last five games. Maryland won the regular season matchup 87-80 on February 20th. Jordan Williams and Terrell Stoglin need to carry this team like they did that night (combining for 51 points) if the Terps are to advance to the quarterfinals-- where Duke awaits. Maybe Saturday wasn't senior day after all.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Somewhere there must be a magnet inside Virginia Tech (19-10, 9-7) that magically finds the bubble each year... from every imaginable direction. The Hokies shot just 31% in a 69-60 battle for the bye against Clemson... Jeff Allen having a nightmare of a game: 1 for 5 with 8 turnovers against the Tigers. As the sixth seed the Hokies will face Georgia Tech (VT won 102-77 in Blacksburg February 13th)... needing wins against the Yellowjackets and then against Florida State in the quarterfinals to feel better about their NCAA hopes. Virginia (16-14, 7-9) finished the regular season with a flourish-- the triumph over Maryland was the Cavaliers' fourth win in five games with the last two coming by double digits. As the 8th seed they face Miami (the ACC's most unpredictable team) with the winner playing North Carolina in the quarterfinals.
Georgetown (21-9, 10-8) heads to New York City with a point guard in doubt and a team in a tailspin... averaging 23.6 points per half since Chris Wright went on the shelf the first time they played Cincinnati. The senior simply got hurt at the wrong time-- if he misses DePaul or South Florida-- the Hoyas probably eke out a win--but not so against the rapidly improving Bearcats (5-1 down the stretch) or streaking Syracuse (5-0 finish). Can the 8th seeded Hoyas turn things around in time to tangle with the UConn-DePaul winner? Legally I have to have the Blue Demons as an option although they finished 1-17 in league play.
Alma Mater Update-- I've been reminded that last year Georgetown advanced to the Big East Finals as an 8th seed... and I also remember burning my styrofoam bracket cup after the Orange lost to the Hoyas in that one. Thanks for the memories. This year Syracuse (25-6, 12-6) enters MSG as the #4 seed... meaning they'll meet the survivor of the St. John's-Seton Hall-Rutgers trio in the quarterfinals. They're also the hottest team in the conference which never bodes well... and the false sense of security from a 107-59 thumping of DePaul is never good. A game with the Red Storm would bring back memories of the 1986 finals-- the Johnnies won the title but Pearl Washington won the hearts of the MSG fans. Thanks for the memories.
George Mason (26-6) after cruising through the final month of the regular season fell in the CAA Semifinals to Virginia Commonwealth 79-63 Sunday... a 21-3 first half run by the Rams was the difference-- VCU using the three-pointer to provide the cushion (11-25 from outside the arc). GMU drops to 0-5 against the Rams in the CAA Tournament--ouch-- but still should be in the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. Problem is, where? I could see them slipping from a 6 to an 8 or 9. The Patriots were interviewed last week about being disrespected despite having the nation's longest winning streak at 15. That won't be the interview topic this week, rest assured.
George Washington (17-13, 10-6)-- thanks, Colonials, for being the only area team not to fall this past weekend. Instead, coach Karl Hobbs' crew wins for the fifth time in six games-- Saturday's 60-58 defeat of Dayton delivered GW its first double digit conference win season since 2007. Tony Taylor's 17 points was punctuated by two late free throws to provide the final cushion. With the 5th seed they face St. Joseph's in the first round of the Atlantic Ten Tournament-- GW took the regular season meeting 78-71 January 8th behind 20 points from Taylor and five players in double figures. A win sets up a quarterfinal clash with Duquesne.
American (22-9) dropped a heartbreaking 73-71 double overtime duel to Lafayette (eight days after defeating the Leopards in double-OT) after Jim Mower canned a three pointer with under a second remaining. The Eagles shot 39 percent from the field and 19 percent from three point range; Vlad Moldeveanu scored 25 points while Stephen Lumpkins added 19 points and 11 rebounds. AU now awaits its postseason destination: maybe the NIT or CBI?
Girl Scout Cookie Rankings-- every March the magic comes together: you know full well about the Shamrock Shakes and the NCAA Tournament... Girl Scout Cookies complete the best trio since the rock group Cream. As always, there are those who have personal feelings about which cookie is best-- and even if your opinion is wrong I accept it because somebody has to buy those flavors that suck.
1--Tagalongs...I know, the Thin Mint contingent will be up in arms. But Tagalongs provide versatility only peanut butter immersed in chocolate can. Can be consumed in both uptempo and half-court settings. Thin Mints are great-- but a one trick pony (although that's quite a trick).
2--Thin Mints... the standard-bearer that you can run through a whole sleeve of in one sitting. Nobody fastbreaks like the TM's... although if you're playing slow-down, their weakness can be exploited (nobody liked the adoption of the shot clock more than Thin Mints in 1985).
3--Samoas... although they're called Caramel dee-Lites in some areas... which is just stupid. The motion offense of cookies-- with all the coconut, caramel and chocolate blending in a series of passes and screens... they're tough to keep track of on each tasting possession. Can they run with the Thin Mints? Not exactly, but Samoas rebound better.
4--Do Si Dos... the redundancy department of redundancy. If you like peanut butter, this is for you. It has that power in the post that only massive amounts of peanut butter can provide-- plays the ultimate physical game with your stomach. If you don't like peanut butter-- this might not be the cookie for you.
5--Trefoils... the traditional shortbread cookie is the original and has its moments-- but has trouble keeping up with the newer cookies over a 40-minute game. Fundamentally sound-- but plays completely under the rim.
While any of the "Fab Five" can contend in any given year-- the next six are lucky to get one victory each March from me-- if that.
6--Dulce de Leche... not to be confused with the Haagen Dasz Ice cream flavor I once wrote a song about (to the tune of "Besame Mucho")... its not a bad cookie but the caramel chips give you just enough to wish they were bigger.
7--Lemonades... okay, they're lemon cookies. Not getting it.
8--Lemon Chalet Cremes... why do you have two lemon flavored cookies? You do know you're cutting the lemon-loving market in two.
9--Shout Outs!... Anytime an exclamation point is in the title of anything, beware.
10--Thanks-a-Lot... a cookie so not awesome they actually pre-thank you for buying them.
11--Thank U Berry Much...despite the fact you're making it okay for young girls to spell the word "you" "U"-- berries in a cookie? No, thank you.
Maryland (18-12, 7-9) ended its regular season with a 74-60 thud against Virginia. Lack of intensity hurt the Terps early-- and the inability to contain Sammy Zeglinski (6-7 from three point range, 25 points) helped ruin senior day. Now the Terps tangle with tenth place North Carolina State-- a school that dropped four of its last five games. Maryland won the regular season matchup 87-80 on February 20th. Jordan Williams and Terrell Stoglin need to carry this team like they did that night (combining for 51 points) if the Terps are to advance to the quarterfinals-- where Duke awaits. Maybe Saturday wasn't senior day after all.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- Somewhere there must be a magnet inside Virginia Tech (19-10, 9-7) that magically finds the bubble each year... from every imaginable direction. The Hokies shot just 31% in a 69-60 battle for the bye against Clemson... Jeff Allen having a nightmare of a game: 1 for 5 with 8 turnovers against the Tigers. As the sixth seed the Hokies will face Georgia Tech (VT won 102-77 in Blacksburg February 13th)... needing wins against the Yellowjackets and then against Florida State in the quarterfinals to feel better about their NCAA hopes. Virginia (16-14, 7-9) finished the regular season with a flourish-- the triumph over Maryland was the Cavaliers' fourth win in five games with the last two coming by double digits. As the 8th seed they face Miami (the ACC's most unpredictable team) with the winner playing North Carolina in the quarterfinals.
Georgetown (21-9, 10-8) heads to New York City with a point guard in doubt and a team in a tailspin... averaging 23.6 points per half since Chris Wright went on the shelf the first time they played Cincinnati. The senior simply got hurt at the wrong time-- if he misses DePaul or South Florida-- the Hoyas probably eke out a win--but not so against the rapidly improving Bearcats (5-1 down the stretch) or streaking Syracuse (5-0 finish). Can the 8th seeded Hoyas turn things around in time to tangle with the UConn-DePaul winner? Legally I have to have the Blue Demons as an option although they finished 1-17 in league play.
Alma Mater Update-- I've been reminded that last year Georgetown advanced to the Big East Finals as an 8th seed... and I also remember burning my styrofoam bracket cup after the Orange lost to the Hoyas in that one. Thanks for the memories. This year Syracuse (25-6, 12-6) enters MSG as the #4 seed... meaning they'll meet the survivor of the St. John's-Seton Hall-Rutgers trio in the quarterfinals. They're also the hottest team in the conference which never bodes well... and the false sense of security from a 107-59 thumping of DePaul is never good. A game with the Red Storm would bring back memories of the 1986 finals-- the Johnnies won the title but Pearl Washington won the hearts of the MSG fans. Thanks for the memories.
George Mason (26-6) after cruising through the final month of the regular season fell in the CAA Semifinals to Virginia Commonwealth 79-63 Sunday... a 21-3 first half run by the Rams was the difference-- VCU using the three-pointer to provide the cushion (11-25 from outside the arc). GMU drops to 0-5 against the Rams in the CAA Tournament--ouch-- but still should be in the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. Problem is, where? I could see them slipping from a 6 to an 8 or 9. The Patriots were interviewed last week about being disrespected despite having the nation's longest winning streak at 15. That won't be the interview topic this week, rest assured.
George Washington (17-13, 10-6)-- thanks, Colonials, for being the only area team not to fall this past weekend. Instead, coach Karl Hobbs' crew wins for the fifth time in six games-- Saturday's 60-58 defeat of Dayton delivered GW its first double digit conference win season since 2007. Tony Taylor's 17 points was punctuated by two late free throws to provide the final cushion. With the 5th seed they face St. Joseph's in the first round of the Atlantic Ten Tournament-- GW took the regular season meeting 78-71 January 8th behind 20 points from Taylor and five players in double figures. A win sets up a quarterfinal clash with Duquesne.
American (22-9) dropped a heartbreaking 73-71 double overtime duel to Lafayette (eight days after defeating the Leopards in double-OT) after Jim Mower canned a three pointer with under a second remaining. The Eagles shot 39 percent from the field and 19 percent from three point range; Vlad Moldeveanu scored 25 points while Stephen Lumpkins added 19 points and 11 rebounds. AU now awaits its postseason destination: maybe the NIT or CBI?
Girl Scout Cookie Rankings-- every March the magic comes together: you know full well about the Shamrock Shakes and the NCAA Tournament... Girl Scout Cookies complete the best trio since the rock group Cream. As always, there are those who have personal feelings about which cookie is best-- and even if your opinion is wrong I accept it because somebody has to buy those flavors that suck.
1--Tagalongs...I know, the Thin Mint contingent will be up in arms. But Tagalongs provide versatility only peanut butter immersed in chocolate can. Can be consumed in both uptempo and half-court settings. Thin Mints are great-- but a one trick pony (although that's quite a trick).
2--Thin Mints... the standard-bearer that you can run through a whole sleeve of in one sitting. Nobody fastbreaks like the TM's... although if you're playing slow-down, their weakness can be exploited (nobody liked the adoption of the shot clock more than Thin Mints in 1985).
3--Samoas... although they're called Caramel dee-Lites in some areas... which is just stupid. The motion offense of cookies-- with all the coconut, caramel and chocolate blending in a series of passes and screens... they're tough to keep track of on each tasting possession. Can they run with the Thin Mints? Not exactly, but Samoas rebound better.
4--Do Si Dos... the redundancy department of redundancy. If you like peanut butter, this is for you. It has that power in the post that only massive amounts of peanut butter can provide-- plays the ultimate physical game with your stomach. If you don't like peanut butter-- this might not be the cookie for you.
5--Trefoils... the traditional shortbread cookie is the original and has its moments-- but has trouble keeping up with the newer cookies over a 40-minute game. Fundamentally sound-- but plays completely under the rim.
While any of the "Fab Five" can contend in any given year-- the next six are lucky to get one victory each March from me-- if that.
6--Dulce de Leche... not to be confused with the Haagen Dasz Ice cream flavor I once wrote a song about (to the tune of "Besame Mucho")... its not a bad cookie but the caramel chips give you just enough to wish they were bigger.
7--Lemonades... okay, they're lemon cookies. Not getting it.
8--Lemon Chalet Cremes... why do you have two lemon flavored cookies? You do know you're cutting the lemon-loving market in two.
9--Shout Outs!... Anytime an exclamation point is in the title of anything, beware.
10--Thanks-a-Lot... a cookie so not awesome they actually pre-thank you for buying them.
11--Thank U Berry Much...despite the fact you're making it okay for young girls to spell the word "you" "U"-- berries in a cookie? No, thank you.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Think I'm Shakin' for Two Tickets
Once upon a time ... New York City cop Ed Mahoney turned to a life of music and gave Album Oriented Rock radio a slew of high-octane hits before doing a profitable but ill-advised duet with Ronnie Spector-- before vanishing to the B-list of hardworking musicians. His story should be the focus of the new movie "Take Me Home Tonight"-- but instead it's a romcom starring Topher Grace. Why couldn't they string together Eddie Money's hits like they did for "Mama Mia"? I mean-- "Two Tickets to Paradise"... "Shakin'"... "Think I'm in Love"-- the script practically writes itself. Would it be that much worse than the actual movie they produced? Unfortunately if this movie succeeds I now dread what will come next: "Last Christmas"--starring Owen Wilson as the architect successful at business but unable to build a romantic life... Amy Adams as the office manager with glasses and a ponytail who's perfect for him... Ed Helms as the wacky sidekick you just can't get enough of... and Jessica Biel as the ice princess who dumped Owen that fateful December 26th.
On to the Beltway-- where more than a few scripts took a beating with massive rewrites... and a few productions had location problems...:
Maryland (18-12, 7-8--#7 in the ACC with a first round game against NC State) lost a "can't lose" game in Miami... allowing the Hurricanes to shoot 55% from the field while Jordan Williams hit just 3 of 17 shots in a defeat that almost ensures the Terps need to win the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA's. And with an improving Virginia team on the horizon... Senior Day at Comcast might not be the final game in College Park for the Terrapin seniors.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- THUD! Great followup to that win over Duke, Virginia Tech (19-9, 9-6--#4 with an ACC QF game against Clemson or Wake Forest))... a 76-61 loss to bubblicious Boston College where the Hokies were HANDLED on the boards (outrebounded 38-22). Now coach Seth Greenberg's team visits Clemson in what turns out to be a game for a first round bye... and a Hokie loss coupled with a Boston College win over last place Wake Forest gives them a 6th seed. Virginia (15-4, 6-9--#9 with a first round game against Miami) stays in NIT contention... 3 wins in 4 games has the Cavaliers playing at a level far above their early season wanderings. Although this is a team that has more than a few 40-point efforts to their credit (4 in ACC play)-- with another one sure to be out there.
Georgetown (21-8, 10-7--#8 in the Big East with a second round game against the winner of #9 Connecticut-#16 DePaul) has a full week to reinvent its offense in wake of losing guard Chris Wright for the moment. Now Comcast Sportsnet's Ron Thompson facebooked that Wright is healing more quickly than expected. One would think he'd have a better idea than most. Regardless, they face a Cincinnati team that held them to 26 first half points with Wright in the lineup... and one that is surging up the standings with four wins in five games. Unlike the Hoyas firm of Freeman & Wright... the Bearcats boast more balance: five players who average between 8.5 and 11.2 points a game.
Alma Mater Update-- St John's loss to Seton Hall opened up the door for Syracuse (24-6, 11-6--#4 with a quarterfinal date against the Red Storm/Seton Hall/Rutgers) to claim the famed double bye in the Big East Tournament. All the Orange have to do is defeat DePaul (7-22, 1-16). In the Carrier Dome. Gentlemen: please cover Jeremiah Kelly and Jimmy Drew-- both are hitting 35% of their threes. Meanwhile, Sign of the Whale's Wing Basket is the preferred snack of choice during the games-- as long as you take care of things in post-op.
George Mason (25-5, 16-2) plays Georgia State Saturday in the CAA Quarterfinals; the Patriots beat the Panthers by 14 in Fairfax and by 7 in the the peach state. Cam Long was the key--12 of his 18 points came in the second half of a home win and 5 of his 19 came in the final minute of the road victory. Lurking in the shadows are the #2 and 3 seeds... Old Dominion (faded in February) and Hofstra (surged on the backstretch) both can beat the Patriots--and did: the Pride on January 5th and the Monarchs on January 8th.
George Washington (16-13, 9-6--#5 in the Atlantic Ten with a first round game against St. Joseph's) rallied from an early deficit at Rhode Island and posted its first win against a school with a winning A-10 mark-- despite hitting just 1-of-13 three pointers (it was a rough night from longrange: the Rams hit 3 of 15 from outside the arc). Tony Taylor tallied 23 points notched 4 assists plus 4 steals to lead the way... and the Colonials need a win over Dayton or a Rhode Island loss at St. Bonaventure to lock up 5th place in the conference.
Maryland Womens' Moment-- After scraping to a first round bye in the ACC Tournament, few expected an early exit from the quarterfinals--always physical Georgia Tech topped the Terps 70-64. Maryland was outrebounded 35-22 and committed 23 turnovers. Primary post presence Lynetta Kizer was held to 9 points on 1 of 6 shooting. Now the question is-- where will the Terps land in the NCAA Tournament? They were ranked 15th nationally entering the ACCs... and you'd think they would be a low #4 or high #5 seed. Regardless of seed or region, the Terps will begin their tournament run at the Comcast Center.
American (22-8) plays Lafayette in the Patriot League Semifinals Sunday after taking care of Colgate in the quarterfinals-- a 69-53 win where the hammer (Vlad Moldoveanu scored 31 points) and the anvil (Stephen Lumpkins tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds) pounded the Raiders into submission. The Leopards (12-18, 6-8) are fresh in the Eagles mind-- AU won 95-92 in double overtime on the final day of the regular season. Right now the focus for coach Jeff Jones is to convince Lumpkins about his upside; the forward averaged a double double during the season but Jones thinks the junior is just scratching the surface.
Howard (6-23, 4-12) faces Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament first round March 9th... trying to bounce back from a regular season where they ranked 341st in scoring, 340th in shooting and 341st in assists. The Bison lost by 10 at home and by 8 on the road in the season series thanks to 21 and 23 points from Spartan swingman Rob Hampton.
On to the Beltway-- where more than a few scripts took a beating with massive rewrites... and a few productions had location problems...:
Maryland (18-12, 7-8--#7 in the ACC with a first round game against NC State) lost a "can't lose" game in Miami... allowing the Hurricanes to shoot 55% from the field while Jordan Williams hit just 3 of 17 shots in a defeat that almost ensures the Terps need to win the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA's. And with an improving Virginia team on the horizon... Senior Day at Comcast might not be the final game in College Park for the Terrapin seniors.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- THUD! Great followup to that win over Duke, Virginia Tech (19-9, 9-6--#4 with an ACC QF game against Clemson or Wake Forest))... a 76-61 loss to bubblicious Boston College where the Hokies were HANDLED on the boards (outrebounded 38-22). Now coach Seth Greenberg's team visits Clemson in what turns out to be a game for a first round bye... and a Hokie loss coupled with a Boston College win over last place Wake Forest gives them a 6th seed. Virginia (15-4, 6-9--#9 with a first round game against Miami) stays in NIT contention... 3 wins in 4 games has the Cavaliers playing at a level far above their early season wanderings. Although this is a team that has more than a few 40-point efforts to their credit (4 in ACC play)-- with another one sure to be out there.
Georgetown (21-8, 10-7--#8 in the Big East with a second round game against the winner of #9 Connecticut-#16 DePaul) has a full week to reinvent its offense in wake of losing guard Chris Wright for the moment. Now Comcast Sportsnet's Ron Thompson facebooked that Wright is healing more quickly than expected. One would think he'd have a better idea than most. Regardless, they face a Cincinnati team that held them to 26 first half points with Wright in the lineup... and one that is surging up the standings with four wins in five games. Unlike the Hoyas firm of Freeman & Wright... the Bearcats boast more balance: five players who average between 8.5 and 11.2 points a game.
Alma Mater Update-- St John's loss to Seton Hall opened up the door for Syracuse (24-6, 11-6--#4 with a quarterfinal date against the Red Storm/Seton Hall/Rutgers) to claim the famed double bye in the Big East Tournament. All the Orange have to do is defeat DePaul (7-22, 1-16). In the Carrier Dome. Gentlemen: please cover Jeremiah Kelly and Jimmy Drew-- both are hitting 35% of their threes. Meanwhile, Sign of the Whale's Wing Basket is the preferred snack of choice during the games-- as long as you take care of things in post-op.
George Mason (25-5, 16-2) plays Georgia State Saturday in the CAA Quarterfinals; the Patriots beat the Panthers by 14 in Fairfax and by 7 in the the peach state. Cam Long was the key--12 of his 18 points came in the second half of a home win and 5 of his 19 came in the final minute of the road victory. Lurking in the shadows are the #2 and 3 seeds... Old Dominion (faded in February) and Hofstra (surged on the backstretch) both can beat the Patriots--and did: the Pride on January 5th and the Monarchs on January 8th.
George Washington (16-13, 9-6--#5 in the Atlantic Ten with a first round game against St. Joseph's) rallied from an early deficit at Rhode Island and posted its first win against a school with a winning A-10 mark-- despite hitting just 1-of-13 three pointers (it was a rough night from longrange: the Rams hit 3 of 15 from outside the arc). Tony Taylor tallied 23 points notched 4 assists plus 4 steals to lead the way... and the Colonials need a win over Dayton or a Rhode Island loss at St. Bonaventure to lock up 5th place in the conference.
Maryland Womens' Moment-- After scraping to a first round bye in the ACC Tournament, few expected an early exit from the quarterfinals--always physical Georgia Tech topped the Terps 70-64. Maryland was outrebounded 35-22 and committed 23 turnovers. Primary post presence Lynetta Kizer was held to 9 points on 1 of 6 shooting. Now the question is-- where will the Terps land in the NCAA Tournament? They were ranked 15th nationally entering the ACCs... and you'd think they would be a low #4 or high #5 seed. Regardless of seed or region, the Terps will begin their tournament run at the Comcast Center.
American (22-8) plays Lafayette in the Patriot League Semifinals Sunday after taking care of Colgate in the quarterfinals-- a 69-53 win where the hammer (Vlad Moldoveanu scored 31 points) and the anvil (Stephen Lumpkins tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds) pounded the Raiders into submission. The Leopards (12-18, 6-8) are fresh in the Eagles mind-- AU won 95-92 in double overtime on the final day of the regular season. Right now the focus for coach Jeff Jones is to convince Lumpkins about his upside; the forward averaged a double double during the season but Jones thinks the junior is just scratching the surface.
Howard (6-23, 4-12) faces Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament first round March 9th... trying to bounce back from a regular season where they ranked 341st in scoring, 340th in shooting and 341st in assists. The Bison lost by 10 at home and by 8 on the road in the season series thanks to 21 and 23 points from Spartan swingman Rob Hampton.
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