Conference play is in full swing...and January brings a nice refreshing wakeup after the positive buildup between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. More than a few area schools are finding out if they have the stuff to make a run in March...or if they'll be marching off to the NIT.
I saw Georgetown dismantle Syracuse 88-74 last week (hold on, I think the Hoyas just made another three)...Austin Freeman has stepped up into becoming a major perimeter weapon (19 points against SU while hitting 4 of 5 threes) while freshman Greg Monroe continues to improve beyond his years (despite getting an undeserved technical in the Duke game). The Hoyas will learn from their loss at second ranked Duke--but must stay focused against conference also-rans Seton Hall and Cincinnati on the road next week. First, John Thompson III's team must face a West Virginia team they barely beat last year (on a disputed Patrick Ewing Jr block at the buzzer).
Maryland won't have sunny thoughts regarding Florida for some time; the Terps blew a 17 point lead in Miami and came up short at Florida State in overtime--a pair of games where Greivis Vasquez shot 8 of 27 from the field and Eric Hayes hit 5 of 15 shots. Thank goodness a five-hundred Virginia team came into Comcast last night...and still the Terps struggled their way to an 84-78 win. One wonders when the 30+ minute nights will start to take its toll on Vasquez, Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Adrian Bowie (who's having a breakout month). Up next--a trip to Duke. Ouch. Can't wait to see Greivis jaw it up with the Cameron Crazies.
George Mason was in theory supposed to be rebuilding following the graduation of Follarin Campbell and Will Thomas; the Patriots have rebuilt their way into a 7-0 CAA start--including wins on the road (last years achilles heel). Darryl Monroe's back after redshirting last year and looks like he hasn't missed a step--while sophomore Cam Long benefitted from a year's apprenticeship. Tonight's tilt at second in the conference Northeastern will be huge; the big question is how well will the Patriots contain Huskies 6-4 swingman Matt Janning (15ppg).
American is also unbeaten in conference play; hold your breath though, it's only 3-0. Still, the backcourt tandem of Garrison Carr and Derrick Mercer powers along mightily and Brian Gilmore's transition into the starting lineup has been relatively smooth. The Eagles will find out exactly how good they are over the next three games--their opponents boasting a combined 7-2 Patriot League mark. Saturday's battle with Holy Cross is a matchup of unbeatens.
George Washington remains in search of its first Atlantic Ten win...seven straight losses have turned a rebuilding season into a restructuring one. Rob Diggs and Damian Hollis continue to post solid efforts in dismal defeats--and one wonders when things will turn around. Next up? A trip to 16-2 Dayton. Ouch.
Howard snapped a fourteen game losing streak by taking back to back MEAC games over Winston Salem and South Carolina State; Eugene Myatt is having the best season around the Beltway nobody knows about (the senior recently reached the 1,000 point plateau)...next up for the Bison--a trip to Morgan State (the school that beat Maryland a few weeks ago).
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