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Maybe there is a method to all this NCAA madness after all
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Let the madness really begin. When Xavier and Georgia take the Verizon Center court in Washington, D.C., this afternoon at 12:20, it will mark the first of 63 games to determine which college basketball team reigns supreme. But no portion of the tournament is a hectic — and exhilarating — than the first round, when 32 games are played in two days, meaning, it’s all basketball all the time. Unless you plan on living at a sports bar or have four televisions side-by-side, you can’t see all the games, so here’s a guide at what you should look for during today’s games.
UPSET ALERT
No. 3 XAVIER (27-6) vs. No. 14 GEORGIA (17-16), 12:20 p.m.
Xavier’s Musketeers are 10-2 in their past 12 games, but are coming off a loss to St. Joseph’s in semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. The Musketeers average 75.3 points per game behind a balanced offense featuring six players who average at least 10 points per game, led by forwards Josh Duncan (11.7) and Derrick Brown (10.7). Georgia, however, is coming off perhaps the greatest run in any conference tournament in NCAA history. The Bulldogs, who won just four of 16 games in Southeastern Conference play, won four games in as many days to win the conference tournament. The Bulldogs, led by senior guard Sundiata Gaines (14.8 ppg), defeated Ole Miss and three NCAA Tournament teams — Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas — to go from worst to first and earn their first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 2002.
KEEP AN EYE ON
vs. Kentucky, 2:30 p.m.
Remember the last time a Marquette junior guard guided the Eagles to greatness in the NCAA Tournament? Eagles fans do. His name was Dwyane Wade. Is James next? The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder contemplated jumping to the NBA last year, but he pulled his name out of the draft. Good decision. If James (13 ppg, 4.3 apg) leads Marquette to the Final Four like Wade did in 2003 before becoming a first-round draft pick, the next time James plays in Milwaukee it may be for the Bucks.
DREW NEITZEL, MICHIGAN ST.
vs. Temple, 12:30 p.m.
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior guard could improve his draft stock exponentially by finishing his career where his freshman year ended: in the Final Four. But the pressure clearly is on Neitzel to lead a team that hasn’t gotten past the second round in each of the past two years. If Neitzel (14.2 ppg, 4 apg) wants his career to continue when his college days are over, he has to prove his capable of carrying a team. He’s shown he can do that at times this season, but can he do it for six straight games?
vs. Belmont, 7:10 p.m.
At Duke, a player’s legacy is defined by how many times he reaches the Final Four or how many times he wins the last game of the season. Nelson is Duke’s lone senior, and has accomplished neither. Can the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder follow in the footsteps of Shane Battier, J.J. Redick, Christian Laettner and Elton Brand by getting Duke to the Final Four? Nelson (15.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) was Duke’s only player to be named first-team All-ACC, so there’s no question he has the talent to lead the Blue Devils to their first national title since 2001.
jgallo@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Jim Steinmetz said:
It's particularly unfair to say that Hurley was a nice college player but a marginal pro - he was in a gruesome accident that essentially destroyed his NBA career. What's next? Are you going to say Jay Williams was a disappointment?
9 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I'm still scratching my head trying find any similarities between Kevin Love and Larry Bird. Love is a low post player who can hit an outside shot if he's left unguarded, Larry Bird was a great outside shooter who could penetrate. Love lumbers down the court like a Clydesdale, Bird could run like a quarter horse. Other than the fact that they're both white and both are good, they're as different as could be.
9 agree | 11 disagree
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notme said:
Also, USC playing better as the season progressed? As shown by their 6-4 record in the last 10 games? Or their 12-8 record over the past 20 games? Oh, wait, USC actually was most successful EARLY in the season.
9 agree | 8 disagree
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notme said:
Did Dickey even watch the Pac-10 finals? Only a little help from Love? I guess, if only offense counts. Of course, the real reason UCLA won the game is that Love totally shut down Brook Lopez in the second half.
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Larry Williams said:
How can you talk about a resurgence of college hoops in the area and not mention the only school from Baltimore to win a National Championship ad has the best chance to reach the NCAA Division I tourny this year: Morgan State University!! Is it because Morgan plays in the predominately Black college MEAC. or have you become conditioned to disregard any accomlishments by this great university, just like the rest of the sports journalist in this city?
80 agree | 75 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Joe Mclean is like a breath of fresh air,especially in a time when the very life we live seems to be suffocating from the nonsensical stinch that's presently being emitted from a misguided generation of African/american youth that somehow seems insurmountable and even far too complex for the creator Himself to resolve. Joe is one of the most well rounded young brothers I know. He's a possitve role model and a gift to any parent. That's why I'm overwhelmed at the very fact of his existance and forever grateful to my Lord for allowing me to be his POP-POP. Thanks Joe, keep up the good work.
513 agree | 248 disagree
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Great story, Ron!!!! said:
Ron, I love this story on the Terp freshmen WBB players getting ahead, as well as the other tidbits you wove into the story. Thank you very much for writing this one. If you need another idea, how about one on the three outstanding Lady Terps that won gold medals this summer playing for the USA?!? Keep up the great work. Thanks, again.
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Examiner Reader said:
i thank that this is going to be a good thing for mason ,cam is a will rounded player he wiil add big games in the wins .
607 agree | 366 disagree
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