Facebook Twitter Share Email Print RSS Comment

Happy Monday!

It’s a happy Monday for me for a few reasons (obviously), with the Terps winning and the Colts losing being chief among them. But don’t underestimate how good of a day it was thanks to “The Luckiest Dang Gal on the Face of the Planet”, who not only made breakfast and then buffalo chicken dip for the Super Bowl, she also delivered me this little number…

I don’t know what “Grand Cru” means….other than it means “DELICIOUS.”

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP’s David Ginsburg says Vasquez scored 26, added 11 assists for Terps in win over Tar Heels

It wasn’t QUITE the “Mona Lisa”-type performance he put together last season in posting a triple double to beat the Heels, but he was pretty damn impressive yesterday. Clearly, the most impressive part of his day was his 6-11 shooting from beyond the arc, part of a 6-11 outside shooting day overall for the team.

The amazing thing is, for as many times as I’ve heard someone say “Maryland is a good shooting team”, they’re actually not. In fact, outside of Eric Hayes they’re probably a POOR outside shooting team. But something has happened this season that has turned them into good shooters when they’re at home. They still struggle from 3 point land away from College Park, but they’ve gotten so comfortable in shooting at home that they’ve really become a pretty good shooting team.

HOWEVER-For as great a day as Greivis had, I know someone who’s day was better….

How Jake beat Fava for Puppy Bowl MVP honors will be a mystery that might well take me years to solve.

2. WNST.net’s Glenn Clark says Gary Williams thought atmosphere in Comcast Center “amazing” as Terps crushed Carolina

It was really pretty surreal.

I’m not sure any atmosphere will ever match the intensity of the Maryland-Duke game in 2005,where there were some 21,000 people inside a 17,000 seat building. You’ll remember this as the night the Terps swept the Devils in OT and John Gilchrist just recently stopped his postgame jubilation. That being said, there was a very special intensity inside Comcast Center yesterday thanks to the school allowing extra students not only in the building, but allowing them to move down and help surround the court.

Hopefully the students saved SOME of their energy for Wednseday night, as Tony Bennett gets his first crack at Maryland. Sylvan Landesberg really can flat out play, and Virginia will be no easy out for this Maryland team.

3. Raleigh News & Observer’s Patrick Stevens says Terps handed Heels worst loss in Roy Williams era

The funniest thing about yesterday’s game was that UNC actually played about as well as they were capable of playing. They shaved a 16 point Maryland lead in the first half all the way down to 3 early on in the second half, and there were a few players and coaches who were a bit concerned as they watched on.

North Carolina is not a good team. They just aren’t. But it isn’t because they don’t have talent. Deon Thompson can PLAY. Ed Davis is tough. But their backcourt is just VERY disappointing. A team with Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson can just shoot their way to a victory over Maryland, a team with Larry Drew II and Will Graves just can’t.

If anything, this game was remarkably similar to last year’s game in Chapel Hill where the Terps fell 108-91 to the Heels. It wasn’t that Maryland was terrible, it was just that Carolina was that much better. This Carolina team isn’t terrible-in fact, a Maryland official said to me after the game yesterday “they’re gonna get better. Thank God we don’t have to go down to the Dean Smith Center this year.”

That being said, I think the difference in coaching styles between Gary Williams and Roy Williams is particularly evident right now. Maryland IS a better team, but I’m not totally convinced they’re a more talented team. Roy has his work cut out for him.

4. WNST.net’s Luke Jones says Gary Williams emotional in aftermath of Terrapins’ win

You can beat him up all you want, but this is the beauty of college sports. College sports aren’t about stats and rankings, college sports are about emotions. When the greatest coach in the history of a program is also an alum, there are going to be emotions; much like there are for every other alum and fan of the program worldwide.

Was this as big of a win over Carolina as some of the others the Terps have had in recent years? Of course not. But was it a win over Carolina in trying circumstances? Yeah it was. Were those of you that are Maryland alumni proud of the team after the game? That was what was reflected in Gary Williams’ emotions.

I couldn’t help but think back on another night where Gary got pretty emotional after a win over Carolina…..

5. Morgan State Official Site says Reggie Holmes, Dewayne Jackson each scored 25 as Bears blew out Florida A&M

As I said on Twitter (follow us @WNST) after the game, “I sometimes wonder why MEAC teams even bother showing up at Hill Field House.”

That being said, the Bears now face what will likely be their toughest home test of the season. Bethune-Cookman visits Hill Field House tonight, meaning Morgan will have to play games on consecutive days for the 2nd time in as many weekends. The Wildcats have been off since a Friday night win over Coppin State-and they come into the game tied for 2nd place in the conference.

Todd Bozeman’s team knows it won’t be easy to try to finish with an undefeated MEAC record, but this is even a bit tougher than they likely expected.

On the flip side, Coppin gets a good chance to pick up their first conference victory, as they host FAMU tonight at the Coppin State Physical Education Complex. The Rattlers not only have struggled throughout MEAC play, but they are having to play back to back road games within a 25 hour span. If Fang Mitchell’s Eagles don’t get a win tonight, they might not get a win at all.

6. The AP says Shane Walker’s double double paced Loyola in victory at Manhattan

It doesn’t look like a huge victory because they’re only 5-9 now in MAAC play, but beating the Jaspers on the road was exactly what Jimmy Patsos’ crew needed. They now have off until Friday before hosting St. Peter’s at Reitz Arena, with a chance to improve their seed going into the MAAC Tournament.

Shane Walker’s transfer was probably expected to produce more for the Greyhounds than Andre Collins or Hassan Fofana, as Walker was more desired at Maryland than either of the other two. That only makes his struggles with the Hounds more disappointing, as he should be able to be a serious impact player in that league. Seeing Shane Walker get a double double really shouldn’t be so irregular.

7. Towson Official Site previews Tigers’ contest with James Madison tonight at Towson Center

You think there’s anyone in the entire Baltimore metro area that rooted for snow more than Pat Kennedy? After 59 and 42 point losses in the last two weeks, I just don’t think the Tigers were in a rush to play ANYONE this weekend. That being said, a home game against JMU is at least WINNABLE for Pat’s Cats, and there is nothing Pat needs more than a win.

8. Maine Official Site preivews tonight’s trip to Catonsville to face UMBC

Speaking of coaches who probably wouldn’t mind if another 20 inches of snow hit TODAY, I don’t think Randy Monroe is in a rush to face the Black Bears tonight at RAC Arena. I know the Retrievers actually managed to beat Maine on the road, but this will be a tough task tonight, especially knowing the Bears have that loss fresh on their mind.

I just hope UMBC doesn’t end up feeling like Betty White and Abe Vigoda this evening…

9. Maryland Official Site previews womens’ battle with Virginia tonight in College Park

Brenda Frese’s team needs a win, especially after a heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech Friday afternoon. They beat the Cavaliers in Charlottesville earlier this season, but the Cavs have been a much more consistent team during ACC play.

There’s all the analysis you’re getting from me. Now let’s go back to Super Bowl-related things. I really liked the National Lampoon Vacation spoof…

10. Ravens Official Site’s Ryan Mink says former Raven Matt Stover missed big FG in Colts’ SB loss to Saints

As I said last night, did ANYONE (not named Jim Caldwell) think Stover could make that kick? Even Jim Nantz noted a play earlier that Indianapolis was putting him on the edge of his range. I love Matt, but I was openly rooting against him yesterday and absolutely knew he couldn’t make that kick.

The one thing Matt wouldn’t answer for me last week was whether or not this trip to Miami would be it for him. He said he hadn’t really thought about his future, but wasn’t going to announce his retirement when questioned. Personally, I sorta hope this is it. It’s time for Matt to enjoy retirement and let us celebrate him and put him up in the Ring of Honor. In fact, I hope the Ravens can honor him and Jamal Lewis at the same game next season. I think that would be pretty special.

And before we move on from Super Bowl-related things, congratulations to Reggie Bush. Not just because he’s getting a ring-but because apparently this is a friend of his BEYOND the well known Kim Kardashian….

I bet she’s nice.

And finally, I leave you with this.

To everyone who complained that The Who are “old”, maybe you missed their ass-kicking last night. Sure, “Pinball Wizard” was a struggle at first, but they rocked for 13 minutes. Here’s the show in 2 parts….

I tell you what. Maybe Avril Lavigne is available to do next year’s halftime show. She’s not “too old.” Geez.

On second thought, that might not be so bad…..

Talk to you later.

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…..

-G