Michigan State Ends Maryland's Season

85-83 Michigan State wins at the buzzer. Maryland came back from 16 points down to take the lead 83-82. Then Michigan State guard Korie Lucious made the game-winning three-point shot from the top of the key at the buzzer. End of game, end of season, end of career for Greivis Vasquez, who became Maryland's second all time leading scorer in the game.

I'm very proud of the Terps for coming back the way they did in the second half today. It was fun watching them play this year and even Benjamin got to see them play back in December. He became a fan this year as we watched games together.

To summarize the Terps season: These guys ALWAYS came back in the second half this year. Sometimes it worked - MOST times it worked - this time it didn't.

This Maryland team was one of the most mentally tough 'second half' Terp teams I've ever seen in my 40 years of following Terp basketball. I won't forget this team. Terps came from nowhere in the pre-season to share the regular season ACC title and had the ACC Player in Greivis Vasquez and Coach of the Year in Gary Williams. Be proud Terps fans.

On a personal note this team did a lot for me as this Fall I get the news of a job layoff, my Mother in Law had a brain tumor removed successfully and has undergone a lengthy rehabilitation process and I lost my Uncle Dave. For a couple hours two or three times a week I just totally got into the games they were playing. No, I won't ever forget these guys. I'm just sad it ended today but if they had to check out, I'm glad it was to a good coach who runs a classy program. This is why I will root for Michigan State the rest of the way.

I would like to add one more note about Greivis Vasquez. As I said earlier he became Maryland's second all time leading scorer today by passing Len Bias (Juan Dixon is number one). In the last two minutes of today's game Vasquez took the team and put it on his back for one final ride. It was like he was telling the team - "We're not going to lose! We didn't come this far, work this hard to lose." He scored ten points in those two minutes and nailed the shot that put the Terps ahead 83-82 and I thought Maryland had it. So close.




Post Recap

Top Ten D.C. Area Sports Moments 2000-2009

10. Michael Jordan returns and plays for the Wizards.



Jordan generated a ton of interest and revenue for a struggling NBA franchise. Not much of a front office executive though.

9. Georgetown returns to the NCAA Final Four in 2007.



What's interesting about this story is the Hoyas were coached by John Thompson III, the son of the long time Hoya coach who went to three Final Four's and won the NCAA title in 1984.

8. Maryland Football wins the 2001 ACC Championship



Under new head coach Ralph Friedgen, the Terps came out of nowhere and surprised everyone by winning their first ACC title since 1985 and going to the Orange Bowl. Prior to the 2001 season, Maryland's last bowl game was the 1990 Independence Bowl.

7. Wizards beat the Bulls 4 games to 2 in the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs.



Prior to this, the Wizards had made the playoffs once (1997) since 1988 and their last playoff series win was in 1982 when they beat New Jersey in the first round.

6. Joe Gibbs returns to coach the Redskins in 2004.



The results were mixed, two playoff appearances (2005, 2007) but the overall record was 31-36 including a 1-2 record in playoff games.

5. George Mason goes to the Final Four in 2006.



This team barely got in the NCAA tournament, then shocked former champs Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut on their way to an unlikely Final Four. They lost to eventual champion Florida. This run to the Final Four had a huge impact on the school today as enrollment is up and there are new buildings being constructed on campus.

4. Alex Ovechkin



Drafted by the Capitals in 2004, he's won two NHL Most Valuable Player awards and is easily the most exciting player in hockey today. Caps have gone from barely filling Verizon Center post NHL lockout, to selling out every game this season. The Caps are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender right now.

3. Baseball returns to Washington DC.



The Montreal Expos move here and play at RFK Stadium from 2005-2007 before moving to Nationals Park at the beginning of the 2008 season. We lost the Senators in 1971 and had nothing until the Expos came here (I became a Baltimore Orioles fan after that) There's a long way to go before this team is competitive but it's great to be able to go to the ball yard again.

2. Maryland Basketball: 2001 Final Four, 2002 National Championship



Terps finally get to the Final Four, then win it all the next year. I followed this team all my life and it was tough seeing them lose to Duke in 2001 but great to see them beat Indiana for the title the next season. Remember, Gary Williams brough this program came back from the dark days following the death of Len Bias and NCAA probation.

1. Redskins Darrell Green and Art Monk make the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.



Monk and Green going into the Hall of Fame in 2008 is my #1 because those two had great careers here and I was able to see them in person a lot at RFK Stadium. Two class acts in what is easily the greatest era in Redskins history.

Art Monk finished his career with 940 receptions for 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns in 224 career games. He was the first NFL player to catch more than 900 career passes and he retired as the game’s all-time leader in receptions. He was the first NFL player to record more than 100 receptions in a season. He also caught at least one pass in 183 consecutive games. Monk was clutch when the Redskins needed a catch to keep a drive alive.

Darrell Green played 20 seasons for the Redskins, recording 1,321 tackles, 59 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He also scored 11 touchdowns (eight by interception return, two by fumble return and one on a punt return). Green earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl, was named NFL Man of the Year in 1996 for community service and won the NFL Humanitarian Award as well.

It was a thrill seeing both of them enter the Hall of Fame together.

NCAA Tournament

I've entered several NCAA tournament pools and I'm making a promise not to be "that guy". You know, the guy who will always:

Complain non-stop about their bracket being busted after the first weekend.

Brag about how they "called" that upset.

Says "I knew that [result of game] was going to happen but didn't pick it in my bracket"

Hang out in someone's office saying "Who do you have coming out of the East? Well, I had [name school here] coming out but..."

Tell you his Final Four even though you did not ask.

Tell others how you're doing in "my other pool..."

One final thing: I don't plan on going up to any friends or co-workers and say "Hey, what happened to your [name school here]" when the team I root for was eliminated in the second round of the NIT.

American University Makes the NCAA Tournament

Patriot League Championship
American University 52, Colgate 46

What a back and forth battle this game was. AU led at the half, 27-24 and the lead changed hands several times in the second half before AU took control for good with less than two minutes left.

Playing in their fourth Patriot League tournament final, AU finally won it all and as a result the Eagles earned their first ever trip to the NCAA basketball tournament. They have been playing NCAA Division I basketball since 1967.

Having fallen short in the conference final in 2002, 2003 and 2004, AU coach Jeff Jones was relieved to finally coach his team to a title. After the game ended, he was in tears as students and fans chanted "Jeff Jones!" during the postgame award presentation ceremony.

Congratulations to AU, I hope they get to play here in Washington DC at Verizon Center March 20th and 22nd.

Post recap here

Solid Effort By Elon

Davidson 65
Elon 49

The score says Davidson won by 16 but the game was a lot closer.

Playing their fourth game in four nights, Elon played a tough game but fatigue was definitely a factor and as a result, Elon's season ended. But it was exciting. With a little over four minutes left in the game, Elon was down by five points. Their hearts were in the game, you look at their bench during the time out when they were down five and you could see they believed they could pull off the upset. But they just run out of gas and a talented and deep Davidson team just took advantage.

Stephen Curry, the Southern Conference Player of the Year scored 26 points for Davidson, who won their third straight conference tournament. TJ Douglas had 18 points (6 three pointers) for Elon.

In the Colonial Athletic Conference tournament final, the George Mason Patriots return to the NCAA tournament after beating William and Mary 68-59. Like Elon, William and Mary was seeking their first NCAA tournament berth and was also playing their fourth game in four nights. William and Mary hung in there and at one point in the second half, they cut George Mason's lead to one. George Mason's experience just wore the Tribe out in the second half though and as a result, they get the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. This is the first CAA conference tournament title for George Mason since 2001. Hopefully George Mason can get their first round game at Verizon Center in Washington DC.

Here's Why I Love College Basketball, Part II

Elon 52, Furman 37
Elon 60, Chattanooga 57
Elon 75, College of Charleston 61

We go to Charleston, South Carolina for the Southern Conference tournament and my school Elon University, the tournaments 7th seed is playing for an NCAA Division I tournament bid tonight against Davidson (ESPN2, 9:00 PM). This is Elon's first tournament title game appearance since joining the Southern Conference in 2003. Elon finished the regular season 11-18. Not too impressive obviously but some of their losses came against (all on the road) Virginia Tech, Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia. In the past, Elon has also gone against Georgetown, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, N.C. State and Stanford. They're trying to build a decent NCAA Division I program and while these losses to bigger schools may hurt the overall record, they go a long way to prepare the team for conference and tournament play. Plus games like these are excellent for recruiting.

Years...ok make that two and a half decades (!) ago when I was at Elon, me and my amigos used to watch the NCAA tournament selection show over a few beers and wonder out loud how cool would it be to see Elon's name picked one day. We all laughed of course because back then Elon was a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and was a doormat in the South Atlantic Conference. Over the years since I was there, the school has gotten bigger and made the jump to NCAA play (The Elon football team is currently NCAA Division I-AA). Should Elon make it in, I've got a few phone numbers of my friends and will call these guys to be sure to remind them to catch the selection show.

So the reward for winning three games in three days, Elon gets the #25 ranked team in the nation in Davidson. Beat them and they are in the NCAA tournament. It obviously won't be easy as Davidson owns the NCAA's (Division I) longest winning streak at 21 and has won their last 35 Southern Conference games. Elon played them tough this season though, losing 59-57 at home January 9 and 74-64 at Davidson on February 6. Both times Davidson was a heavy favorite. Ask any basketball coach and they will say one of the toughest things to do is beat a team three times in one year.

Elon-College of Charleston recap

Before the Elon-Davidson game, ESPN is showing the Colonial Athletic Association final. Weena's school, George Mason goes against William & Mary. William & Mary has also won three CAA tournament games in a row and is trying to do what Elon is trying to do. Win four conference tournament games and go to the NCAA tournament. This is what I love about conference tournament basketball, everyone has a chance. "Just survive and advance" is what the late N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano used to say.

Here Is Why I Love College Basketball

Take a look at the Patriot League Quarterfinal scores from tonight. Great, great action here. The Patriot League Tournament is held on the campus sites, unlike the big conferences where they take over a city for their weekend tournament.

Colgate 76
Lafayette 74

Final-3 OT
Bucknell 87
Navy 86

American 62
Holy Cross 60

Final-OT
Army 64
Lehigh 61

Semifinals, Sunday March 9th
Army at American University
Bucknell at Colgate

Final game is Friday March 14 and it is at the highest remaining seed. Why so late after the Semifinals? Answer: ESPN. This must kill whatever momentum a team builds up by winning its Quarterfinal tonight, waiting four days for their Semifinal and then another five days for the championship game. However, the ESPN exposure is too great, these schools need it and they'll do what they have to do to get the television time. Personally, I hope American University gets their first NCAA tournament bid. They showed me a lot of heart and guts when they came into Comcast Center and stomped Maryland last December.

Game Recap: Navy vs Bucknell

Game Recap: American vs Holy Cross

A Ray Of Hope

Back in March while the NCAA Basketball tournament was going on, I remember reading about this tragedy. Jason Ray, age 21, was killed in a traffic accident in New Jersey while attending UNC's trip to the NCAA regional finals. He was the University of North Carolina's mascot, the ram you would see on the sidelines cheering and dancing as the game was going on. Like all mascots you see at games these days, he made people smile.

Jason had wanted to be an organ donor. The article below tells just what Jason Ray's death did for others since his organs were donated. There are three parts to the article, his life, death and rebirth. It's a long read, but well worth every word.

A Ray of Hope

He touched peoples lives in a positive way.

Another article

Update on George Mason Hoops

Remember March Madness and the amazing run to the Final Four by George Mason? Click to the month of March here in the archives to relive that run. Various publications caught up with George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga this week as Midnight Madness is just around the corner. Click on the links below to catch up.



USA Today: Mason Hoping For Another Run

The Washington Post: After Mason's Magical Ride, Larranaga Nails the Landing

The Washington Times: Everyone Is All Ears For Larranaga

The Washington Examiner: Larranaga, George Mason Aim to Prolong Dream

Coach L Gets Set For Another Year of Mason Madness

I'm excited that basketball season is around the corner. I hope to get to a couple Maryland hoops games this season as they try to get back into the NCAA Tournament after a two year absence. I've got my calendar circled for the BB&T Classic on December 3rd at Verizon Center. Three games: George Mason vs Bucknell, George Washington vs Virginia Tech and Maryland vs Notre Dame.

It Was An Amazing Run

The package came in the mail last night. I received it and took it to my wife, who opened it. Inside was a George Mason Final Four t-shirt that I ordered online from the GMU bookstore. The same t-shirt students were lining up for at the George Mason campus. It was the hottest selling item this week. I told her she was now ready to root for her school in the Final Four. Win and the Patriots advance to the NCAA Championship game.

Unfortunately there won't be a game for the Patriots Monday night. Florida 73, George Mason 58. Florida was simply a better team and they stopped one of the most improbable and impressive NCAA tournament runs I've ever seen since I started following this tournament. Jim Larranaga's team, which finished 27-8, proved desire can trump talent.

The Patriots couldn't stop the Gators three point shooting and the rebounding edge was clearly won by Florida 40-27. George Mason had no answer for Lee Humphrey, who was 6 of 12 from 3-point range and scored 19 points. Florida for the game hit 12 of 25 three pointers. George Mason missed its first nine three pointers and ended up 2 of 11, with both of them coming too late in the game.

Let's go back and look at what the 11th-seeded Patriots accomplished this tournament. They knocked out half of last year's Final Four (Michigan State and North Carolina). They beat a very good Wichita State team. They dispatched the last two national champions (Connecticut and North Carolina). I had an absolute blast following this team and it was a treat seeing them play and win the Washington DC Regional.

All George Mason students, alumni and fans should hang their heads high and be proud of what this team accomplished. I know my wife is.

On to Indy!

George Mason 86, Connecticut 84 OT

Yes, you read that correct. An amazing, incredible story took place at the Phone Booth in DC this afternoon. George Mason did the unthinkable by beating #1 ranked UConn and advanced to their first Final Four. Prior to this NCAA tournament run, when you walked into the Patriot Center, you saw three banners proclaiming NCAA trips in 1989, 1999 and 2001, a banner commemorating a couple NIT trips and two retired numbers. That's it. However, coach Jim Larranaga has done a hell of a job building up this program since his arrival in 1997. In 2001, they gave Maryland all they could handle in their NCAA tournament first round game, losing 83-80. Maryland went to the Final Four that year and won the National Championship the next year. I often wonder what would have happened to the Maryland program had they lost that first round game to George Mason.

Prior to this tournament run, the biggest success I saw from the George Mason basketball team was they beat Tennessee in an opening round NIT game at the Patriot Center in March 2004. I went to that game with my friend John, a UT grad. After the game, the 5,000 or so Mason fans in attendance stormed the court. Apparently that was enough to wow the NIT reps and they gave George Mason a second home game in that tournament (They won that as well, but lost in the third round).

I'm still in a state of shock at what I saw on TV today. You can punch this team but they bounce back. Down 12 late in the first half, they managed a late bucket and a foul shot to close the half down 9. Then they come out with a three pointer to start the second half and the battle was on. George Mason appeared to have the game won in regulation. But UConn came up with another miracle, forcing the game to OT when George Mason's Tony Skinn missed the front end of a 1 and 1 when they were up by two and UConn's Denham Brown made a reverse layup at the regulation buzzer to send the game to overtime. The ball just hung there forever and dropped in as the horn sounded. Incredible. First Washington had UConn on the ropes Friday night, then George Mason had them down and both times UConn fought back to force OT.

In the OT, it was back and forth for a couple minutes. George Mason went up 84-80 and UConn suddenly looked rattled. UConn still fought back though. They had a chance to win due to poor free-throw shooting by George Mason, who missed three attempts in the final 15 seconds--the last two with 6.1 seconds to go. UConn had a final possession to tie or win. Denham Brown, who was the hero moments earlier, was off the mark from the left with what could have been a game winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Pandemonium from the George Mason fans in attendance.

It was easly one of the best college hoops games I've ever watched. My wife was going nuts for her alma mater, screaming and jumping up and down. I'm a Maryland Terps fan and I can say it's been fun bandwaggoning and rooting for George Mason during this run.

On to Indy next week for the Patriots.

George Mason & Georgetown in NCAA Round of 16

Wichita State vs George Mason followed by UConn vs Washington

I was able to get a pair of tickets to these games tonight at The Phone Booth (aka MCI/Verizon Center). Ok, the tickets are in section 404, Row P and I'll need to get a mountain goat to get to the seats, but this tournament comes to the DC area every four years and I do my best to get there. I was at Capital Centre in 1994, The Phone Booth in 1998 and 2002 when this area hosted the first and second round games. I love the atmosphere of these games and in 2002, I got to see my favorite team, Maryland, play a couple games during their march to the NCAA title. This is the third time overall that George Mason has been in the NCAA tournament (1999 and 2001 were their other appearances) and the first time ever in school history they have gone to the Final 16. They have a very good chance to get to the Final 8. They beat Wichita State earlier in the season on the road. So that's the first game.

In the second game, I still have a slim chance in a couple of NCAA pools I'm entered in, so I need UConn to come up big against Washington tonight in the Battle of the Huskies.

Some Washington Post articles about tonight's games. Be sure you have your pop up ad blocker enabled.

Campbell, Local Talent Key to GMU's Success
Longtime Fans Savor George Mason's Limelight

George Mason vs Wichita State
One Good Story Deserves Another

Georgetown in Minneapolis:
Georgetown's Biggest Threat Isn't Just Tall
Following the Trajectory of Noah's Arc--Wilbon
Georgetown vs Florida

George Mason Stuns North Carolina

How Do You Like That, Billy Packer?

First it was Michigan State, the 2000 NCAA Champion who was sent packing Friday night. Today it was the defending champion North Carolina Tar Heels who fell victim to surprising
George Mason 65-60.

The Patriots will come home (so to speak) to face Wichita State at Verizon (MCI) Center in Washington, DC Friday night. George Mason and Wichita State played earlier this season (at Wichita State) with George Mason winning 70-67. This was the win that put George Mason in the top 25 for the first time in school history. Some say this was the victory that got them into the NCAA tournament.

The game didn't start out well for the Patriots, who were down 16-2 at the start of the game. I was thinking the 'Heels will be up by thirty at halftime. Incredibly, George Mason managed to get back into the game and at the half, were trailing 27-20.

Nothing went right for the 'Heels in the second half. It was great seeing UNC coach Roy Williams take his frustrations out on a chair late in the second half when Mason was ahead.

But the best shot from CBS besides Roy Williams beating up the chair, was the clip of George Mason coach Jim Larranaga talking to his team before the game. Larranaga said that "North Carolina's fans think their team is Superman. Our fans think we are kryptonite. What does kryptonite do to Superman?"

Survive and advance.

Let me also take a moment to give props to Georgetown for beating Ohio State today 70-52. The Hoyas play Florida on Friday in Minneapolis.

Michael Wilbon's column in Monday's Washington Post.

Mason, Town and Washington by George!

I need to come up with something more original if these George's keep winning.

Last night had George Washington beating UNC-Wilmington in overtime after being down 18 points. Mike Wise talks about it here. Next up for George Washington is Duke on Saturday.

In a defensive battle played this afternoon in Dayton, OH, Georgetown shut down Northern Iowa 54-49. It was the Hoyas first NCAA tournament victory since 2001. Next up for the Hoyas on Sunday is Ohio State.

In a shocker, George Mason beat Michigan State 75-65. Your's truly had Michigan State going to the final eight in numerous office pools. Nice call, huh? Next year I am going to roll dice or use some other novelty to pick the games.

Office pool aside, to see my wife screaming and yelling for her school (and for once, not at me) at the end of the game as they pulled off the upset was priceless.

A couple things amazing about George Mason's win tonight:
One, they did it without their second leading scorer Tony Skinn, who was serving a one game suspension and two, they shot 12-26 at the free throw line. Next up for George Mason. The defending champion North Carolina Tarheels on Sunday.

Michael Wilbon on George Mason's win.

I believe the late Jim Valvano summed it up best in 1983 when he coached N.C. State to the NCAA Title. "Survive and advance."

March Madness

I got the idea to post my picks while reading Aaron's Blog


Be sure to click the picture for a larger view.

So this is my entry in the office pool. We have $ 840 at stake with a 70-20-10 percent pay out. I watch a lot of college hoops and I think I have won one of these in the twenty plus years I've been filling out these things. In other words, I'm no expert on this. Every year I always tell myself this is the year I will win.

The world's biggest office pool always seems to disrupt productivity as this article talks about in today's Post.

Oops, I realize my lunch hour is over. Back to work...

Basketball Coaches Roundtable Discussion

I was all over this article in the Washington Post this morning about the current state of college basketball. Author and Post contributor John Feinstein sat down with three DC area coaching legends a couple months ago. Former Georgetown coach John Thompson, former DeMatha High School coach Morgan Wooten and former Mount St. Mary's College coach Jim Phelan have some interesting thoughts. Combined win total: Over 2,700. Definitely worth the read.

NIT Action

I'm debating about going to this. Why? I don't know except to support the Terps. With a young son at home, I only get so many "hall passes" to sporting events now. I'm hoping to get a ticket to the NCAA Regional on March 24 and 26 at MCI/Verizon/Cingular/T-Mobile/Sprint/Nextel Center so I would hate to waste a Saturday hall pass to watch this mess.

Maryland Earns Top Seed in East Region For NIT
Terps host Manhattan on Saturday at Comcast Center

Maryland has earned the top seed in the East Region of the National Invitational Tournament and will host Manhattan on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 AM at Comcast Center. The game will be broadcast live by ESPN.

Tickets for the NIT are available by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or by visiting www.umterps.com.

The Terrapins, who are 19-12 after facing the 12th toughest schedule in the nation, are making their sixth trip to the NIT and their 13th consecutive postseason appearance overall. Maryland advanced to the semifinals of the 2005 NIT at Madison Square Garden after defeating Oral Roberts (85-72), Davidson (78-63) and TCU (85-73). The Terps are 10-4 all-time in the NIT, including the 1972 championship. Maryland also competed in the NIT in 1979, 1982 and 1990.

Joining Maryland as No. 1 seeds are Louisville (Big East), Cincinnati (Big East) and Michigan (Big 10).

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

I had to borrow this line from Tom Petty's song The Waiting as the title. I don't think $#^&*#@ Terps would go over too well but it describes my mood perfectly. I don't really want to go into too much about last night's fiasco, but I'd better get it out of me now and just be done with it. So here is a profanity free recap of what I watched last night. Trust me, the four letters were flying around the basement rec room last night while this mess was going on.

ACC Quarterfinals
Boston College 80, Maryland 66

This game started 17-2 and was over at the first TV timeout.... Unbelievable. An absolute nightmare and Maryland never recovered. The Terps picked a bad, bad time to come out flat. Despite getting trounced the way they did, they still sealed up a post season bid though.

Sadly for us Terps fans it’s to the NIT.

When I see the Terps play the way they did tonight, I’m amazed they finished 19-12 and won 8 ACC games in the regular season and grabbed another one in the ACC tournament. This has been the most frustrating Maryland team to follow in quite some time. Going into this game they won three straight and I thought Gary Williams had them ready to upset Boston College.

Didn’t happen. Not even close. This picture sums up how the evening went for the Terrapins. Ekene Ibekwe hits the rim as he attempts to dunk.

Since 1980, six teams that finished with an 8-8 record or better in the ACC have been left out of the NCAA tournament field. After last night’s performance, it looks like the Terps will be the seventh. I’ve followed Maryland basketball since I was a wee lad but I’m trying to be realistic here. They won only two road games all season and didn’t beat a RPI Top 50 school since early December. After Chris McCray was declared academically ineligible. Maryland has lost to every team it faced with an RPI of 70 or better.

I’ll be tuned in Sunday evening when they announce the NCAA Tournament field, fingers crossed with my Terps gear on. My wife went to George Mason, who are also playing the waiting game.