February fever hits overtime for the first time in four years as area schools get back on track, celebrate senior nights and miss golden opportunities.
Maryland made a major move in the ACC with a 74-70 win at Wake Forest. After two games of battling foul trouble and 30 percent shooting, James Gist notched 18 of his career high 31 points in the first half--using his inside moves as well as his outside shot (3 three-pointers before intermission). Greivis Vasquez added 24 points with 8 assists (and only 4 turnovers) while providing spot-up defense on the Demon Deacons' Jeff Teague (2-11 shooting) while scoring 7 straight points to give the Terps the lead for good midway through the second half.
It was nice to see the bench get in the act as well with multiple contributions for the first time in more than a few games. Jerome Burney contributed quality minutes for the second time in a week (after not playing since early January) while Adrian Bowie and Cliff Tucker both gave coach Gary Williams solid outings.
At 18-11 and 8-6 in the ACC the Terps host Clemson Sunday in the battle for 3rd place of the conference...Greivis Vasquez's hands will be full trying to contain the Tigers' K.C. Rivers (16 ppg, 43% from three point range)--can Maryland improve their passing and force opponents to defend them instead of turning the ball over?
Other ramblings inside and outside the beltway--
Georgetown visits up-tempo Marquette Saturday in a battle of top 25 teams; the Golden Eagles have won five straight and boast a balanced attack with three guards as well as a 6-foot-6 forward. Coach John Thompson III said transition defense and rebounding would be the keys-- the Hoyas lone impressive road win of the winter came over Alabama--who's now 15-13.
George Mason follows up a senior night win over William & Mary with a trip to Northeastern-- it was an emotional evening at the Patriot Center as Will Thomas and Folarin Campbell shined one last time...Campbell scoring 14 of his 17 points after halftime. John Vaughan also came through big with several key threes against a 2-3 zone collapsing on big man Will Thomas. If that's become the book on how to defend GMU, Vaughan and Campbell will have to continue to make opponents suffer from outside. The concern as always with George Mason this winter is how will they fare on the road?
American wraps up its regular season this weekend by hosting Lafayette...the Eagles missed a chance to clinch the Patriot League regular season title Wednesday when they visited Navy; the 83-68 loss means the Midshipmen own the season sweep and now AU needs to beat the Leopards while hoping for a Navy loss to Colgate.
George Washington goes to #11 Xavier playing as well as it has all year with three straight wins; the Colonials lost by eight at home to the Musketeers but were actually within three with under a minute left and had possession when Damion Hollis stepped out of bounds... with three games remaining in the regular season, you'd have to think two wins would wrap up an A-10 berth--while Colonial fans are rooting for the demise of Fordham, Dayton and Rhode Island...
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