On the Monday after the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament there's always a haze... what just happened? Are we still in? How badly did the upsets burn my bracket?
Fifteen Fury-- Not one but two #15 seeds stole the tournament's heart Friday night... as Missouri and Duke (two of my "folds") went down. While the Blue Devils had been consistently uneven all winter (losing at home to Miami... winning at UNC), one has to be a little more disappointed in the Tigers' tumble. They won the Big 12 going away--I thought they had a shot at a #1-- but were rated the lowest of the #2's because of a soft schedule. I guess we now know why. Major props to the Patriot League and MEAC-- two one-bid leagues that are often cannon fodder the first days of the tournament-- for pushing Richmond '91 further into the background.
Sunday Night Hoops? What used to be a nice exclamation point to the weekend has been changed with Turner's addition to the menu. Instead of squeezing eight games into seven hours on Sunday-- they space them out. Which means we get three games spaced out until 6 (and if it's a rout-- watch out)... and then a flurry of late games on Sunday like a 9:40 Cincy-Florida State. How can I complain about my bracket when I still have to watch hoops? Can we compromise? Give us six games in seven hours and then two prime timers... 7 and 9:30. Please?
Alma Mater Update-- as an alum of a school that's dropped more than a few of these early games-- the Orange gave me plenty to be concerned about before weaseling by UNC-Asheville. They say in order to capture a National Title you have to win one game you obviously don't deserve-- and I think SU has found their "wow- we so escaped a major bullet here" game. Many point to the referees handing the Orange the game... and while this may have merits I would love to have these people listen to my SU buddy "Arkansas Charlie"-- for he believes there's this cabal created to hose the Orange out of every call. Time to move on. Thankfully it's to the regional in Boston.
Georgetown's year ended one step shy of the Sweet Sixteen... as a ten point first half lead turned into a loss to 11th seeded North Carolina State (who were once 7-3 in the ACC with a 20 point lead at Duke). After being picked to finish in the bottom half of the Big East, there's no shame in finishing 24-9 after losing to a Wolfpack team just hitting its stride-- but a rough way for seniors Jason Clark (3-11 FG and a last-second miss) and Henry Sims (fouling out with 4 points). And before you jump on the "Can JTIII win here longterm?" ... just remember other coaches have had longer runs of upsets (Lute Olson) and underachieving in the Big Dance before enjoying great success.
Maryland Womens' Window-- the Terrapins tangle with Louisville in a made for TV bracket: Jeff Walz used to be a Terp assistant and his Cardinals bounced Kristi Tolliver and Marissa Coleman in the Elite Eight three years ago. Adding to the sluggishness of Saturday's win there may be cause for concern. IF Alicia DeVaughn and Tianna Hawkins can stay out of foul trouble... and IF Maryland can manage its possessions effectively... we'll see a trip to Raleigh and the Sweet Sixteen.
Now to more important matters-- the 2012 Girl Scout Cookie Rankings. I have my usual supplier whose daughters are still okay with me signing the sheet "Bauer" with the address "CTU-Ballston". This year's field has been truncated to eight-- and thus no "first round".
8-- Savannah Smiles-- Or Dave frowns. This new addition is a crescent shaped lemon wedge cookie with lemon chips and dusted in powdered sugar. Goes great with tea. I'm sure my grandmother has 5 boxes. Even with Che Che rooting em on... feels like one of those schools from the Big South that plays well for a half-- and then loses by 20.
7-- Thank U Berry Much-- Or no thank you. Cranberries and white fudge chunks? Not to mention the bad pun and worse spelling. Feels like a mismatched roster of juco transfers who couldn't cut it at in other cookies' programs. You know there's an NCAA violation waiting to happen... and while this odd conglomeration gets you to the dance, it almost guarantees you an early exit.
6-- Dulce De Leche-- This Latin caramel cookie used to have a caramel topping. Sign me up! Sadly, it was removed because of the high amount of trans fat. Sign me off! Sounds like an eligibility issue-- and unlike the Orange, Dulce doesn't have the depth. But it does offer a great zone defense.
5-- Trefoils-- Naismith would be proud. A traditional shortbread cookie made in the shape of the Girl Scout emblem. Break out the peach baskets. Feels like Gene Hackman should be coaching them with Dennis Hopper in the wings. Fundamentally sound cookie but plays the entire game well below the rim. Hey, Loyola of Chicago once won a title in the 60's too.
4-- Do-Si-Dos-- Peanut Butter Paranoia? Crunchy oatmeal cookie with peanut butter filling. Power in the post. I'm looking for Michael Graham to come out and punch the other cookies in the mouth. A decent cookie... but prone to foul trouble (especially with those ACC refs).
3-- Samoas-- tough call for the top three. The motion offense of cookies is vanilla but coated with caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and laced with chocolate stripes. So much style and substance and subtext and pretext-- the perfect halfcourt treat. But can it run and keep up with the others? Having put each of these through the "test"-- it's a challenge to knock down 5+ Samoas in a sitting. Not impossible, but still a challenge.
2-- Thin Mints-- we're talking UNLV 1990. Nobody runs like the this thin, mint-flavored chocolate wafer dipped in chocolate coating. Often goes on scoring/wolfing down runs of 10-15 without any effort. But can TM play the halfcourt game? If slowed down to a manageable pace I see problems rebounding the flavor... over-aggressiveness resulting in easy crumbs instead of steals... and the propensity to force a shot when it isn't wise. I dare you to try to eat one and not a second for 15 minutes.
1-- Tagalongs-- it's all about matchups. Crispy vanilla cookie layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolate coating-- this team can play halfcourt yet run to some degree. One can play inside out (scooping the peanut butter out with your teeth) or just attack the rim. In the fridge or room temperature this option provides more than one shining moment.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Fold, Bold and Gold Picks...
Time for the best two days of the year: 32 games Thursday and Friday providing plenty of thrills, chills and spills. Even the idiocy of the NCAA can't ruin something this good.
I know the tournament technically began Tuesday... but does anybody REALLY buy into the "First Four/First Round/Play-In Games/Dog and Pony Show"? On TruTV? If CBS doesn't pre-empt programming... I can't acknowledge these games as anything other than an appendix. You know those pages before the title page in the book with lowercase Roman numerals? That's the last two nights for me. Bad basketball by middling teams in Dayton.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange will be minus center Fab Melo for the tournament due to academic eligibility issues. Decidedly not awesome. Definitely going to need extra bleu cheese dressing with those wings at Sign of the Whale.
Time for the annual "Bold" (which double digit seed makes a run?)... "Fold" (which high seed underperforms?) and "Gold" (who advances to the Final Four?) picks... done just under the wire to be eligible.
EAST-- while the Harvard "student athletes who are really students first" angle won't be overplayed at all... I was hoping Jim Nantz would get the Crimson's game with Vanderbilt so he could wax endlessly about how these kids represent the true spirit of college hoops (had to step away to throw up). BOLD-- West Virginia has played everybody tough this winter... and what a better way to go off to the Big 12 with a couple of upsets? FOLD-- Syracuse has dealt with more than a few off the court issues this winter... from Bernie Fine to drug tests to two suspensions for their center. Kansas State will be a tough round of 32 matchup-- and even if they get to Boston-- I don't see them getting to New Orleans (sadly). GOLD-- Ohio State has been bouncing around the top ten all season. Thad Matta's got this bunch focused.
SOUTH-- it's Kentucky's bracket to lose. And until last year, John Calipari's teams had never overperformed their seed. They're better and more experienced this year. John Chaney- we need your help! BOLD-- VCU was the ultimate Cinderella last season... could Shaka Smart be starring in Cinderella II- Electric Boogaloo? Ram on. FOLD-- Duke looks like after a great early season run it's beginning to hit the wall. Notre Dame plays an ugly style of ball that features scores in the 40's and players who looked like they took Brenda Walsh to the Senior Prom. GOLD-- Kentucky could win the first two games with their backups... and although I'd like to see Baylor get it done-- it's a Wildcat world.
MIDWEST-- this region draws not one... but two teams from the First Four. Thank you Cal-- for taking the game back 50 years by scoring 13 points in the first half against South Florida. BOLD-- South Florida can simply play great defense. They're the overlooked red haired stepchild of the Big East... and Augustus Gilchrist will produce in a way he didn't for Virginia Tech or Maryland. FOLD-- Kansas has a habit of getting bounced early... and whether it's Purdue or St. Mary's in the round of 32... the Jayhawks will be looking ahead to St. Louis.
GOLD-- North Carolina is the most talented team... as well as the most frustrating. They can easily be bounced if they don't bring it for 40 minutes... but you can't imagine them not reaching New Orleans.
WEST-- woe is the sad state of college hoops beyond the Rockies. The Pac-12 is so bad that regular season champ Washington didn't get an at-large berth. Football realignment has turned the Mountain West and WAC into scrambled eggs... and not in a good way. BOLD-- Davidson is next to Belmont and VCU the bandwagon underdog of the tournament. Can you be overrated in an underrated way? They're facing a Louisville team that's underperformed recently in the tournament and is fresh off four games in four days at the Big East Tournament. Plus Pitino wears those white suits. FOLD-- Missouri played one of the softer schedules this winter... and although they cruised to a Big 12 Tournament title one always wonders when the other shoe will drop. Florida is much better than their seed-- and will be a big problem for the Tigers. GOLD-- Michigan State under Tom Izzo almost always overperforms its seed. It's tough to see the Spartans not doing so again this March.
I know the tournament technically began Tuesday... but does anybody REALLY buy into the "First Four/First Round/Play-In Games/Dog and Pony Show"? On TruTV? If CBS doesn't pre-empt programming... I can't acknowledge these games as anything other than an appendix. You know those pages before the title page in the book with lowercase Roman numerals? That's the last two nights for me. Bad basketball by middling teams in Dayton.
Alma Mater Update-- the Orange will be minus center Fab Melo for the tournament due to academic eligibility issues. Decidedly not awesome. Definitely going to need extra bleu cheese dressing with those wings at Sign of the Whale.
Time for the annual "Bold" (which double digit seed makes a run?)... "Fold" (which high seed underperforms?) and "Gold" (who advances to the Final Four?) picks... done just under the wire to be eligible.
EAST-- while the Harvard "student athletes who are really students first" angle won't be overplayed at all... I was hoping Jim Nantz would get the Crimson's game with Vanderbilt so he could wax endlessly about how these kids represent the true spirit of college hoops (had to step away to throw up). BOLD-- West Virginia has played everybody tough this winter... and what a better way to go off to the Big 12 with a couple of upsets? FOLD-- Syracuse has dealt with more than a few off the court issues this winter... from Bernie Fine to drug tests to two suspensions for their center. Kansas State will be a tough round of 32 matchup-- and even if they get to Boston-- I don't see them getting to New Orleans (sadly). GOLD-- Ohio State has been bouncing around the top ten all season. Thad Matta's got this bunch focused.
SOUTH-- it's Kentucky's bracket to lose. And until last year, John Calipari's teams had never overperformed their seed. They're better and more experienced this year. John Chaney- we need your help! BOLD-- VCU was the ultimate Cinderella last season... could Shaka Smart be starring in Cinderella II- Electric Boogaloo? Ram on. FOLD-- Duke looks like after a great early season run it's beginning to hit the wall. Notre Dame plays an ugly style of ball that features scores in the 40's and players who looked like they took Brenda Walsh to the Senior Prom. GOLD-- Kentucky could win the first two games with their backups... and although I'd like to see Baylor get it done-- it's a Wildcat world.
MIDWEST-- this region draws not one... but two teams from the First Four. Thank you Cal-- for taking the game back 50 years by scoring 13 points in the first half against South Florida. BOLD-- South Florida can simply play great defense. They're the overlooked red haired stepchild of the Big East... and Augustus Gilchrist will produce in a way he didn't for Virginia Tech or Maryland. FOLD-- Kansas has a habit of getting bounced early... and whether it's Purdue or St. Mary's in the round of 32... the Jayhawks will be looking ahead to St. Louis.
GOLD-- North Carolina is the most talented team... as well as the most frustrating. They can easily be bounced if they don't bring it for 40 minutes... but you can't imagine them not reaching New Orleans.
WEST-- woe is the sad state of college hoops beyond the Rockies. The Pac-12 is so bad that regular season champ Washington didn't get an at-large berth. Football realignment has turned the Mountain West and WAC into scrambled eggs... and not in a good way. BOLD-- Davidson is next to Belmont and VCU the bandwagon underdog of the tournament. Can you be overrated in an underrated way? They're facing a Louisville team that's underperformed recently in the tournament and is fresh off four games in four days at the Big East Tournament. Plus Pitino wears those white suits. FOLD-- Missouri played one of the softer schedules this winter... and although they cruised to a Big 12 Tournament title one always wonders when the other shoe will drop. Florida is much better than their seed-- and will be a big problem for the Tigers. GOLD-- Michigan State under Tom Izzo almost always overperforms its seed. It's tough to see the Spartans not doing so again this March.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Redskins Rehash-- an Offseason Dynasty...
Once again, the Skins shine as the NFL equivalent of Dave Winfield: instead of being "Mister May"... the Burgundy and Gold are the "Men of March". One franchise-changing trade... the customary free agent signings and a slap from the league. Once again, the most entertaining team is far from giving up that crown.
RGIII or RG3? I almost prefer the latter if the 3 is used as a "cubed". The Redskins give up three first round picks plus this year's second round selection (39th overall) for St. Louis' second overall pick in next month's draft. Thank goodness Vinny Cerrato's no longer with the team... because otherwise the Skins may not have had those picks to swap. Was it a smart deal? Nothing occurs in a vacuum-- and while giving up four prime picks for a player who might not work out (other #2's include Rick Mirer and Ryan Leaf) may not be the best thing to do... the current regime needs a quarterback. With moves for Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman backfiring and John Beck's emergence never firing at all... Year three of the Shanahan administration needs at least a quarterback to build around. At worst-- he's an abject disaster and we go through this again in a few years. By which time the Shanahans will be in our rearview mirror.
Wide Receiver Windfall-- Nothing excites more than flashy wideouts who stretch the field and make tightrope catches. Except when they're Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle-El. Six years after doubling down on Brandon & Antwan... the Skins dive into the Free Agent pool headfirst by signing Pierre Garcon away from Indianapolis and Josh Morgan away from San Francisco. Garcon's coming off a 70 catch, 947 yard season for a quarterbackless Colts team... and Morgan's receptions dropped from 44 to 15 in Jim Harbaugh's first season by the Bay. Will they be difference makers? Maybe Eddie Royal becomes that player-- if he signs (word is the Skins are in hot pursuit). Unfortunately the Virginia Tech product is also coming off an off year... and has yet to average over 11 yards per catch during his NFL career. And do we need another Hokie (Morgan went to VT as well) on the roster? BEAMER BALL! indeed.
Capped Out-- This spending comes in the wake of major spanking by the league. Evidently when the Skins front office was trying to slide the contracts of Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall past the NFL Cap Dieticians two years ago they were warned that there may be ramifications-- and lo and behold there are: 36 million dollars in capsmack over two years... 18 of which hits the Skins books this year. On the bright side, this will limit the ridiculous ways this team can embarrass itself this offseason. I think.
RGIII or RG3? I almost prefer the latter if the 3 is used as a "cubed". The Redskins give up three first round picks plus this year's second round selection (39th overall) for St. Louis' second overall pick in next month's draft. Thank goodness Vinny Cerrato's no longer with the team... because otherwise the Skins may not have had those picks to swap. Was it a smart deal? Nothing occurs in a vacuum-- and while giving up four prime picks for a player who might not work out (other #2's include Rick Mirer and Ryan Leaf) may not be the best thing to do... the current regime needs a quarterback. With moves for Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman backfiring and John Beck's emergence never firing at all... Year three of the Shanahan administration needs at least a quarterback to build around. At worst-- he's an abject disaster and we go through this again in a few years. By which time the Shanahans will be in our rearview mirror.
Wide Receiver Windfall-- Nothing excites more than flashy wideouts who stretch the field and make tightrope catches. Except when they're Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle-El. Six years after doubling down on Brandon & Antwan... the Skins dive into the Free Agent pool headfirst by signing Pierre Garcon away from Indianapolis and Josh Morgan away from San Francisco. Garcon's coming off a 70 catch, 947 yard season for a quarterbackless Colts team... and Morgan's receptions dropped from 44 to 15 in Jim Harbaugh's first season by the Bay. Will they be difference makers? Maybe Eddie Royal becomes that player-- if he signs (word is the Skins are in hot pursuit). Unfortunately the Virginia Tech product is also coming off an off year... and has yet to average over 11 yards per catch during his NFL career. And do we need another Hokie (Morgan went to VT as well) on the roster? BEAMER BALL! indeed.
Capped Out-- This spending comes in the wake of major spanking by the league. Evidently when the Skins front office was trying to slide the contracts of Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall past the NFL Cap Dieticians two years ago they were warned that there may be ramifications-- and lo and behold there are: 36 million dollars in capsmack over two years... 18 of which hits the Skins books this year. On the bright side, this will limit the ridiculous ways this team can embarrass itself this offseason. I think.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- of Brackets and Burials...
Selection Sunday-- there's no other day like it in the world of sports. College basketball's field of 68 is announced with plenty at play: Are you in? What seed? What's the draw? And what's the road to the Final Four? Each question is as critical as the previous one...as matchups take precedence over actual talent in March.
Georgetown-- the Hoyas are figured as a #4 seed by the Washington Post and CBS Sportsline... and a #3 by ESPN. Despite a disappointing finish against Cincinnati in the Big East Quarterfinals... coach John Thompson III's team has displayed a defense that's been downright dominating at times. The question is, where will they be shipped to?
Alma Mater Update-- the bubble (well, not THE BUBBLE, but a bubble nonetheless) burst Friday night in the Big East Semifinals against Cincinnati as the Orange fell behind 28-15 before making a game of it... slipping 71-68. On the road to 31 wins SU has had more than its share of nailbiters-- six of their last eleven games have been decided by three points or less. I'd rather have that now than next weekend. The Orange should get a #1 seed in the East bracket-- with a first round trip to Pittsburgh.
End of season ACCounting-- Maryland saw its stay in Atlanta end with an 85-69 loss to North Carolina. The 17-15 finish about the best one could hope for...given the injuries... Defections and ineligibilities. A five player class is expected to make a major impact next season-- and another year to get used to coach Mark Turgeon's system. Virginia (22-9) awaits the Selection Committee's decision on where they'll be seeded... Various websites have the Cavaliers anywhere from a #9 to an 11. What amazed me this week is how long the Cavaliers have gone without reaching the ACC Semifinals-- they're last trip to Saturday came in 1995. Everybody- even the expansion schools, even Clemson (?)- has reached an ACC semi since. Virginia Tech (16-17) ended the season pretty much the way they began conference play-- losing a tough one to a luckier team. Against conference competition the Hokies finish 4-10 in games decided by five points or less. Nice to see Florida State break Duke and North Carolina's stranglehold on the conference tournament.
George Mason and American wrap up successful seasons by losing in their conference semifinals. The Patriots (24-9) seemingly peaked the night they beat VCU by one at home... as coach Paul Hewitt's team dropped three of their last five games-- including a pair to the Rams. Coach Shaka Smart's team is ticketed back to the big dance--instead of as one of the last four in, VCU goes as CAA champ to a likely 11th or 12th seed. AU (20-11) couldn't contain Patriot league MVP CJ McCollum (27 points and 10 rebounds) in an 85-66 loss at eventual champ Lehigh. Both schools are bubble NIT teams... although either would be a good fit one of the other postseason affairs.
George Washington and Howard wrapped up 10-win seasons looking forward to the future. While the Colonials finished the year on a 2-10 skid, the Bison won 6 of their final 10 games.
The Maryland women's basketball team wrapped up its first ACC Tournament title since 2009 by beating Georgia Tech in 68-65 in the finals. The Terps benefited from a busted bracket-- as top seed Duke and #2 Miami both fell in the quarterfinals. But a window of opportunity is only a window-- you have to jump through. Now coach Brenda Frese's team is a borderline 1/2 seed...can they leapfrog Notre Dame after the Fighting Irish fell in the Big East Tournament?
The Clock Ticks-- An era doesn't end but it's definitely winding down. Syracuse's days in the Big East are numbered... and one wonders where the best league in the 1980's went wrong. For a conference that did things so right for so long--I have a few pivot points...:
1-- Not admitting Penn State. Undercut the league from a football standpoint... as the Nittany Lions would abandon longstanding rivalries with Pitt and Syracuse for... Minnesota? I think they play Michigan State every fall for the "Land Grant Trophy". Bad deal for everybody, as the Big East could have used PSU's stability and reputation (the last year notwithstanding).
2-- Going to the experimental "six foul" rule in 1990. Ruined the rhythm of an already physical league-- switching back to five fouls was awkward at best and disastrous at worst. Final Fours in the 80's: eight. Final Fours in the 90's: two.
3-- Allowing Notre Dame as a "partial member"... aka sharing everything but football-- not only did it give the league the oh so divisible 13 team membership (NOT UNWIELDY AT ALL!), it created a second tier feel: how can you be considered an equal on the big stage when it's obvious you're not in the eyes of one of your own members?
4-- Not convincing Chaney-- Temple would have been a great boost basketball wise... and would have provided the league with a football team in the Philly market (yeah, Villanova-- thanks for participating). But for whatever reason they couldn't get John Chaney and his hoops program in the league... and wound up with another "partial member". We know how that works.
5-- Losing brand identity-- Say what you will about the ACC being Duke and UNC's private little lake... but at least the league recognizes the pecking order and has the Blue Devils wrap up the regular season with the Tar Heels. Syracuse-Georgetown? The two schools met just once this winter... and the two haven't wrapped up the regular season like they did in the 80's for some time.
6-- Losing the East... and the Big-- to maintain its membership after being robbed of arguably its three strongest football programs by the ACC... the Big East had to get creative on what "East" meant. Hello, Louisville and Cincinnati. The league figured, why stop there? Hiya, DePaul and Marquette. Sixteen schools! So easy to keep the rivarlies alive with just three home-and-homes for each school. Now with Pitt and Syracuse departing for the ACC... the red carpet is out for San Diego State and Boise State. So like a Holy Roman Empire that was neither Holy, Roman nor an Empire...the Big East Conference is no longer Big, East or a Conference.
It first upset me when I learned my alma mater would be leaving a league I loved. But when viewing what's left of what was absolutely awesome-- departing is the best decision. Thanks for the memories, BIG EAST. I'll always think of you fondly and cherish the next twelve months.
Georgetown-- the Hoyas are figured as a #4 seed by the Washington Post and CBS Sportsline... and a #3 by ESPN. Despite a disappointing finish against Cincinnati in the Big East Quarterfinals... coach John Thompson III's team has displayed a defense that's been downright dominating at times. The question is, where will they be shipped to?
Alma Mater Update-- the bubble (well, not THE BUBBLE, but a bubble nonetheless) burst Friday night in the Big East Semifinals against Cincinnati as the Orange fell behind 28-15 before making a game of it... slipping 71-68. On the road to 31 wins SU has had more than its share of nailbiters-- six of their last eleven games have been decided by three points or less. I'd rather have that now than next weekend. The Orange should get a #1 seed in the East bracket-- with a first round trip to Pittsburgh.
End of season ACCounting-- Maryland saw its stay in Atlanta end with an 85-69 loss to North Carolina. The 17-15 finish about the best one could hope for...given the injuries... Defections and ineligibilities. A five player class is expected to make a major impact next season-- and another year to get used to coach Mark Turgeon's system. Virginia (22-9) awaits the Selection Committee's decision on where they'll be seeded... Various websites have the Cavaliers anywhere from a #9 to an 11. What amazed me this week is how long the Cavaliers have gone without reaching the ACC Semifinals-- they're last trip to Saturday came in 1995. Everybody- even the expansion schools, even Clemson (?)- has reached an ACC semi since. Virginia Tech (16-17) ended the season pretty much the way they began conference play-- losing a tough one to a luckier team. Against conference competition the Hokies finish 4-10 in games decided by five points or less. Nice to see Florida State break Duke and North Carolina's stranglehold on the conference tournament.
George Mason and American wrap up successful seasons by losing in their conference semifinals. The Patriots (24-9) seemingly peaked the night they beat VCU by one at home... as coach Paul Hewitt's team dropped three of their last five games-- including a pair to the Rams. Coach Shaka Smart's team is ticketed back to the big dance--instead of as one of the last four in, VCU goes as CAA champ to a likely 11th or 12th seed. AU (20-11) couldn't contain Patriot league MVP CJ McCollum (27 points and 10 rebounds) in an 85-66 loss at eventual champ Lehigh. Both schools are bubble NIT teams... although either would be a good fit one of the other postseason affairs.
George Washington and Howard wrapped up 10-win seasons looking forward to the future. While the Colonials finished the year on a 2-10 skid, the Bison won 6 of their final 10 games.
The Maryland women's basketball team wrapped up its first ACC Tournament title since 2009 by beating Georgia Tech in 68-65 in the finals. The Terps benefited from a busted bracket-- as top seed Duke and #2 Miami both fell in the quarterfinals. But a window of opportunity is only a window-- you have to jump through. Now coach Brenda Frese's team is a borderline 1/2 seed...can they leapfrog Notre Dame after the Fighting Irish fell in the Big East Tournament?
The Clock Ticks-- An era doesn't end but it's definitely winding down. Syracuse's days in the Big East are numbered... and one wonders where the best league in the 1980's went wrong. For a conference that did things so right for so long--I have a few pivot points...:
1-- Not admitting Penn State. Undercut the league from a football standpoint... as the Nittany Lions would abandon longstanding rivalries with Pitt and Syracuse for... Minnesota? I think they play Michigan State every fall for the "Land Grant Trophy". Bad deal for everybody, as the Big East could have used PSU's stability and reputation (the last year notwithstanding).
2-- Going to the experimental "six foul" rule in 1990. Ruined the rhythm of an already physical league-- switching back to five fouls was awkward at best and disastrous at worst. Final Fours in the 80's: eight. Final Fours in the 90's: two.
3-- Allowing Notre Dame as a "partial member"... aka sharing everything but football-- not only did it give the league the oh so divisible 13 team membership (NOT UNWIELDY AT ALL!), it created a second tier feel: how can you be considered an equal on the big stage when it's obvious you're not in the eyes of one of your own members?
4-- Not convincing Chaney-- Temple would have been a great boost basketball wise... and would have provided the league with a football team in the Philly market (yeah, Villanova-- thanks for participating). But for whatever reason they couldn't get John Chaney and his hoops program in the league... and wound up with another "partial member". We know how that works.
5-- Losing brand identity-- Say what you will about the ACC being Duke and UNC's private little lake... but at least the league recognizes the pecking order and has the Blue Devils wrap up the regular season with the Tar Heels. Syracuse-Georgetown? The two schools met just once this winter... and the two haven't wrapped up the regular season like they did in the 80's for some time.
6-- Losing the East... and the Big-- to maintain its membership after being robbed of arguably its three strongest football programs by the ACC... the Big East had to get creative on what "East" meant. Hello, Louisville and Cincinnati. The league figured, why stop there? Hiya, DePaul and Marquette. Sixteen schools! So easy to keep the rivarlies alive with just three home-and-homes for each school. Now with Pitt and Syracuse departing for the ACC... the red carpet is out for San Diego State and Boise State. So like a Holy Roman Empire that was neither Holy, Roman nor an Empire...the Big East Conference is no longer Big, East or a Conference.
It first upset me when I learned my alma mater would be leaving a league I loved. But when viewing what's left of what was absolutely awesome-- departing is the best decision. Thanks for the memories, BIG EAST. I'll always think of you fondly and cherish the next twelve months.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Beltway Basketball Bonanza-- Believing Daydreams...
Cheer up, bubble teams...oh what a conference tournament run can mean. February frenzy gives way to March Madness... and for at least the next week or so everybody (with the exception of the Ivy League and early tournament castoffs) has a shot at getting into the field of 68. Having a shot and actually getting there are two different things- but what's the point, otherwise? Monkees fans-- head to the bottom of the page.
Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) can take over second place in the Big East with a victory over #8 Marquette... a team they beat 73-70 January 4th. In a league where #2 Syracuse, streaking Notre Dame and slumping UConn have monopolized the headlines-- the Hoyas have quietly carved out a campaign with no losing streaks... and a defense that's held four opponents in the 40's during February.
Alma Mater Update-- final day of the regular season means Syracuse-Georgetown, right? Maybe SU-UConn? No- it's a home game against longstanding bitter rival Louisville. Rick Pitino's white suits aside-- this is why it's not a horrible thing the Orange are leaving for the ACC. The Big East that remains is not the fantastic league that was ridiculously awesome in the '80s... especially with San Diego State and Memphis on the horizon (not in the Horizon, though-- that's Butler's league).
Maryland (16-13, 6-9) wraps up its regular season with a Sunday showdown against Virginia. The Terrapins are assured of 8th place in the ACC... and gets either Wake Forest, Virginia Tech or Boston College as a first round matchup. They played well in spurts against North Carolina-- but unfortunately the talent gap showed over the Tar Heels 31-10 second half run.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- the Cardiac Cavaliers and the Heartbreak Hokies continue to provide thrills and chills-- but mostly spills. Virginia's 63-60 come from ahead loss to Florida State was the team's 5th ACC loss by three points or less. But my UVa faithful Kippy and Buffy can't hold a candle to their VT counterparts Ray and Louann -- Virginia Tech's 58-56 loss at Clemson was the Hokies 13th ACC game decided by five points or less.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) begins CAA Tournament play against 21-10 Georgia State... needing to at least reach the finals to have any at-large hope...and even then it's tough to like their chances on the bubble. This is where the Northeastern loss hurts.
George Washington (10-19, 5-10) clinched a spot in the Atlantic Ten Tournament when Rhode Island beat Fordham. Sadly a second half rally against La Salle came up short... GW missing 8 of 16 free throws in a 60-56 loss on Senior Night. David Pellom's fourth straight double double (16 points, 11 rebounds) was the bright spot... they'll need Pellom to produce if they want to surprise anybody in the A-10.
Maryland Womens' Window-- sophomore Alyssa Thomas becomes the third Terp in five years to capture ACC Player of the Year honors (Crystal Langhorne-2008, Kristy Tolliver-2009). An upset-ridden quarterfinal round saw the Terps emerge as the highest remaining seed (regular season champ Duke lost to NC State while #2 Miami fell to Wake Forest) in Greensboro. A ridiculously large window is now open.
American (20-10, 10-4) shut down Army 57-40 in the Patriot League quarterfinals... and now visits Lehigh in the semis. The Mountain Hawks (still miss the old nickname "Engineers") boast the league's leading scorer in C.J. McCollum. Each team scored 71 points while winning on its home floor. Can AU get a big effort from Charles Hinkle? The senior is on a 12 for 35 shooting slump... and after scoring in single figures just twice in the first 27 games of the season has posted two single digit efforts in the last ten days.
Howard (9-20, 6-10) finishes 10th in the MEAC... and plays North Carolina A&T in the first round of the tournament. The Bison hosted the Aggies January 14th-- losing 70-65 while shooting 29% from three point range.
Davy, we hardly knew ye-- my parents purchased me The Monkees Greatest Hits for my 7th birthday. The summer before, I was glued to Channel 56 in Boston's daily broadcasts of the pre-fab four. And to be honest-- I didn't like Davy Jones at first. Always cute, always smiling, and always getting the girl. And he didn't even play an instrument! Tamborine, maracas-- those were things from my first grade music class. I'm surprised he didn't play the recorder or xylophone as well. Granted, at age 6 I didn't know they didn't play instruments on their first two albums-- but still... maracas?
The Monkees were a TV show about a group that eventually became a group. Four guys from completely different backgrounds: Davy was stage and showtunes... Micky was California pop... Mike (wool hat and all) was Texas country... and Peter was Greenwich Village folk. That they eventually imploded when left to their own devices isn't a surprise: but the fact that they were able to generate two solid albums (Headquarters plus Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.) and memorable singles is a credit to their often debated talents. The diminutive Monkee will be missed.
An interesting sidestory to the late Mr. Jones-- he had a front row seat to the world he would then wander into: while part of the traveling Oliver! cast (as the Artful Dodger) Jones found himself on the Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964. After singing "Consider Yourself" he wound up watching four lads from Liverpool make history. Only to one day be on the TV show inspired by the Beatles. RIP Davy-- wherever you are... you're still probably getting the girl. Damn cheeky smile.
Georgetown (22-6, 12-5) can take over second place in the Big East with a victory over #8 Marquette... a team they beat 73-70 January 4th. In a league where #2 Syracuse, streaking Notre Dame and slumping UConn have monopolized the headlines-- the Hoyas have quietly carved out a campaign with no losing streaks... and a defense that's held four opponents in the 40's during February.
Alma Mater Update-- final day of the regular season means Syracuse-Georgetown, right? Maybe SU-UConn? No- it's a home game against longstanding bitter rival Louisville. Rick Pitino's white suits aside-- this is why it's not a horrible thing the Orange are leaving for the ACC. The Big East that remains is not the fantastic league that was ridiculously awesome in the '80s... especially with San Diego State and Memphis on the horizon (not in the Horizon, though-- that's Butler's league).
Maryland (16-13, 6-9) wraps up its regular season with a Sunday showdown against Virginia. The Terrapins are assured of 8th place in the ACC... and gets either Wake Forest, Virginia Tech or Boston College as a first round matchup. They played well in spurts against North Carolina-- but unfortunately the talent gap showed over the Tar Heels 31-10 second half run.
Cruising the Commonwealth-- the Cardiac Cavaliers and the Heartbreak Hokies continue to provide thrills and chills-- but mostly spills. Virginia's 63-60 come from ahead loss to Florida State was the team's 5th ACC loss by three points or less. But my UVa faithful Kippy and Buffy can't hold a candle to their VT counterparts Ray and Louann -- Virginia Tech's 58-56 loss at Clemson was the Hokies 13th ACC game decided by five points or less.
George Mason (23-8, 14-4) begins CAA Tournament play against 21-10 Georgia State... needing to at least reach the finals to have any at-large hope...and even then it's tough to like their chances on the bubble. This is where the Northeastern loss hurts.
George Washington (10-19, 5-10) clinched a spot in the Atlantic Ten Tournament when Rhode Island beat Fordham. Sadly a second half rally against La Salle came up short... GW missing 8 of 16 free throws in a 60-56 loss on Senior Night. David Pellom's fourth straight double double (16 points, 11 rebounds) was the bright spot... they'll need Pellom to produce if they want to surprise anybody in the A-10.
Maryland Womens' Window-- sophomore Alyssa Thomas becomes the third Terp in five years to capture ACC Player of the Year honors (Crystal Langhorne-2008, Kristy Tolliver-2009). An upset-ridden quarterfinal round saw the Terps emerge as the highest remaining seed (regular season champ Duke lost to NC State while #2 Miami fell to Wake Forest) in Greensboro. A ridiculously large window is now open.
American (20-10, 10-4) shut down Army 57-40 in the Patriot League quarterfinals... and now visits Lehigh in the semis. The Mountain Hawks (still miss the old nickname "Engineers") boast the league's leading scorer in C.J. McCollum. Each team scored 71 points while winning on its home floor. Can AU get a big effort from Charles Hinkle? The senior is on a 12 for 35 shooting slump... and after scoring in single figures just twice in the first 27 games of the season has posted two single digit efforts in the last ten days.
Howard (9-20, 6-10) finishes 10th in the MEAC... and plays North Carolina A&T in the first round of the tournament. The Bison hosted the Aggies January 14th-- losing 70-65 while shooting 29% from three point range.
Davy, we hardly knew ye-- my parents purchased me The Monkees Greatest Hits for my 7th birthday. The summer before, I was glued to Channel 56 in Boston's daily broadcasts of the pre-fab four. And to be honest-- I didn't like Davy Jones at first. Always cute, always smiling, and always getting the girl. And he didn't even play an instrument! Tamborine, maracas-- those were things from my first grade music class. I'm surprised he didn't play the recorder or xylophone as well. Granted, at age 6 I didn't know they didn't play instruments on their first two albums-- but still... maracas?
The Monkees were a TV show about a group that eventually became a group. Four guys from completely different backgrounds: Davy was stage and showtunes... Micky was California pop... Mike (wool hat and all) was Texas country... and Peter was Greenwich Village folk. That they eventually imploded when left to their own devices isn't a surprise: but the fact that they were able to generate two solid albums (Headquarters plus Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd.) and memorable singles is a credit to their often debated talents. The diminutive Monkee will be missed.
An interesting sidestory to the late Mr. Jones-- he had a front row seat to the world he would then wander into: while part of the traveling Oliver! cast (as the Artful Dodger) Jones found himself on the Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964. After singing "Consider Yourself" he wound up watching four lads from Liverpool make history. Only to one day be on the TV show inspired by the Beatles. RIP Davy-- wherever you are... you're still probably getting the girl. Damn cheeky smile.
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