I've always been amazed at how quickly the world moves on in the NCAA Tournament. From Midnight Madness in October schools have been building towards these weeks in March. They've been living the dream and process while I've been watching, wondering, writing and talking about both. The Hoyas rebounding issues, the Terps RPI, George Mason's leading scorer and American's youth have all been as consuming for me as shaving and showering. Constant. Everyday. The same as yesterday but somehow a little different. But now it's all gone. Over. Wait 'til next year while the world moves on.
Georgetown wonders if sophomore Greg Monroe will return for his junior season; if he does it means everybody comes back--and although some say they're still a defensive dynamo (whither Noah Rivers?) away, one has to like the Hoyas chances as they move towards 2010-2011. While losing as a #3 seed is definitely disappointing, it's much better than bowing out in the first round of the NIT. John Thompson III is still developing as a coach in a big time conference... and he surely will take what he's learned into the offseason.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse disposed of Vermont and Gonzaga en route to its second straight sweet sixteen (Orange haven't lost a round of 32 game since 2001)... Wes Johnson poured in 31 points and 14 rebounds in perhaps his last Empire State appearance (NBA knocking since February). After disposing of Cinderella Hall of Famer Gonzaga in round two, the Orange face another recent fan favorite in Butler-- whose coach may or may not be the first coach in the Sweet Sixteen to actually be sixteen years old. Can SU do without center Arinze Onuako for a third straight game? And will I be able to secure a spot in the Sign of the Whale's gamewatching area known as "The McLovin Room"? Over/under on wing consumption is 17 1/2.
Maryland saw its season end in the wink of an eye when Korie Lucious drained a gamewinning three at the buzzer in the Terps 85-83 loss to Michigan State... but the fact that the Terps were even in this game was a testament to their tenacity. The Spartans outshot (55% from the field and 56% from 3-point range) while outrebounding the Terrapins 35-21. It will be tough to imagine the Terps minus four-year starter Greivis Vasquez as well as the other two seniors (Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne). Hayes and Vasquez have been fixtures of this program since day one of their careers-- and Milbourne has quietly done whatever was necessary to get playing time and contribute to this team.
Conference call-- The Big Ten boasts the most schools in the sweet sixteen with three... while the Big East has just two (and a 6-6 record after two rounds). While Georgetown's flameout caught most by surprise, the rest of the fallen could be seen in advance-- Villanova hadn't played well in over a month, Notre Dame had its best player on the mend, Pitt flamed out in the BET, Louisville was lucky to be in the field and Marquette's lucky to still be invited to league meetings at this point. And how about the ACC? Just one sweet sixteen school in Duke. If there's been one disturbing trend in the last five years (since expansion), it's been the streamlining of the league's caste system. Blue Devils & Tar Heels-- and then everyone else.
Commonwealth Commotion...Virginia Tech remains in the NIT with a Wednesday quarterfinal against Rhode Island-- while Virginia's leading scorer Sylvan Landesburg is declaring for the NBA Draft. Good luck, buddy.
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