Beltway Basketball Bonanza--Lion or Lamb?

February Fever turns into March Madness for the Beltway bunch...and while the beltway may have been blasted by a bunch of snow earlier this week, it's up to the various schools to determine whether or not they're lions or lambs this month.


Georgetown saw its at-large hopes take a major blow with Tuesday's 59-56 overtime loss to St John's...wasting a 15 point second half lead to the Red Storm...the inability to rebound (outmanned on the glass 42-22) hurt the Hoyas yet again--and it's nearly impossible to comprehend how Georgetown turned from a top ten team into an NIT hopeful...which is where they'll wind up barring a miracle run through the Big East Tournament. Next up: Hoyas wrap up the regular season Saturday with Depaul.

Big East Battles--the Hoyas are currently 13th in the conference standings and would face Seton Hall in the first round next Tuesday...a win over Depaul plus losses by Seton Hall and St John's would catapult Georgetown to 11th and a date with South Florida.

Maryland continues to walk the tightrope--winning games they should (triumphing at North Carolina State) and losing when they should (falling to Wake Forest)...while the Terps are on the cusp of an NCAA berth--a loss at Virginia plus an early exit in the ACC Tournament would come close to extinguishing their hopes. Next up: a visit to Charlottesville--last year a more talented team on paper dropped their regular season finale at John Paul Jones Arena...continuing their slide into the NIT.

ACC destinations--depending on how the final weekend pans out...Maryland's either 7th or 8th and will face Miami or North Carolina State in the first round next week.

George Mason wrapped up its regular season with a 71-59 win over Towson...the Patriots finished second in the Colonial Athletic Association despite losing five of their last six road games. Another banner night for Darryl Monroe inside as well as John Vaughan outside. GMU shocked the world last year with three straight wins in Richmond--can they do the same this March? Next up: the Patriots face the winner of James Madison-William & Mary in the CAA quarterfinals...they split their season series with the Dukes while topping the Tribe in their only meeting.

American's two wins away from a second straight NCAA Tournament berth after a 78-56 thumping of Lafayette in the Patriot League quarterfinals...the dynamic backcourt of Derrick Mercer and Garrison Carr combined for 39 points--while AU held the Leopards to 36% shooting. Next up: Sunday's Patriot League semifinals against Army--the Eagles beat the Black Knights by 22 and 24 in their two regular season meetings.

George Washington's late-season push into may not be enough to get the Colonials into the Atlantic Ten tournament. Despite winning three of five, GW's 77-62 loss to UMass means coach Karl Hobbs' crew needs to top 18-11 Temple and hope St Bonaventure loses its season finale in order to qualify for the A-10. Next up: senior night at Smith Center...one last chance for Rob Diggs and Wynton Witherspoon to shine in front of the GW faithful.

Howard wrapped up the regular season with a 54-48 loss to Hampton...committing 18 turnovers while Eugene Myatt shot 3 for 17 from the field. The Bison will be seeded tenth in the upcoming MEAC tournament and will face Norfolk State in the first round. The two schools split their regular season series--each winning on its home court... Myatt scoring 26 points in the home win-- 20 in the road loss.