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Basketball around the Beltway: Scouting March

Dave Preston | dpreston@wtop.com

February 24, 2015, 7:47 AM

Maryland (22-5, 10-4 Big Ten) has won 10 conference games for the first time since the 2009-10 season. That’s Greivis Vasquez Territory (pronounced Greevus and Grayvous in the same comment by Gary Williams). In other words, this is one surreal season in a new league. Since the home win over Penn State, Melo Trimble has been somewhat unstoppable — averaging 21 points a game while shooting better than 60% from the field. The question now isn’t “will they make the field?” but “where will they land?” ESPN.COM has the Terps as a #4 seed in Pittsburgh facing Valparaiso. A weekend off precedes conference-leading Wisconsin visiting Xfinity Center. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Flavor #12: “Thanks-A-Lot” Shortbread and fudge. Thanks for what? Self-esteem, gang. We should be thanking you for having Girl Scout Cookies to begin with. For years, I confused this flavor with the now-defunct “Thank You Berry Much”. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Flavor #11: “Savannah Smiles” Or “Dave Frowns.”  Powdered sugar makes this a messy treat — and it’s all in one bag. Not in a sleeve or on a plastic grid, so every cookie is touched by everyone who puts their hand in the bag. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Georgetown (18-8, 10-5 Big East) pulled the curtain up on the same Hoya defense that choked Villanova last month in their 79-57 win over St. Johns, holding the Red Storm without a field goal for the final 8:45 of the first half while limiting the Big East’s second-leading scorer D’Angelo Harrison to 0-for-9 shooting. Coach John Thompson III’s team then dominated the glass in a 68-63 win over DePaul (out-rebounding the Blue Demons by 13). Moving forward, Mikael Hopkins out of the starting lineup gives the Hoyas a necessary spark off the bench on both ends of the court (the senior has averaged 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals over the last two games). Right now the Hoyas are a half-game ahead of Providence and Butler for second place in the league. While they were swept by the Friars, Georgetown looks to complete a season sweep of the Bulldogs one week from Tuesday. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
Flavor #10: “Rah-Rah Raisins” Really? I like oatmeal and Greek Yogurt, but we’re rah-rahing? Really? I almost think they’re trying to do too much here– oatmeal-raisin or oatmeal-yogurt works–even yogurt-raisin. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Flavor #9: “Lemonades” For years they had two lemon flavored cookies, cutting the rapidly shrinking yellow citrus market in half. The exact opposite of “Rah-Rah Raisins”, this one trick-cookie (albeit with icing) falls short in the cookie bracket first round.  (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
#2 Virginia (25-1, 13-1 ACC) grinds its way toward a second straight regular season title with Justin Anderson trying to heal his injured pinkie before Selection Sunday.  Without the junior from Montross, the Cavaliers are averaging 56 points a game (10 fewer than their season average).  Good thing the UVa D unleashes first half throat-punches like the one they did against Pitt — handcuffing the Panthers to 15 points wasn’t as impressive as limiting Louisville to 13 points earlier in the month, but it comes pretty darn close. UVa followed that up by holding Florida State without a basket for the final 10:34 of the second half in Sunday’s 51-41 win over the Seminoles. The schedule makers were kind to the Cavaliers again this winter, as they get bottom feeders Wake Forest and Virginia Tech over the next week, but beware:  the Hokies came within 3 points of upsetting the Cavs in Blacksburg last month while, the Demon Deacons came within one point of breaking hearts in Charlottesville on Valentine’s Day. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff
Flavor #8: “Cranberry Citrus Crisps” Real Fruit! Whole Grain! Way too many exclamation points! I anticipate its first round matchup with the Lemonades — just on pucker power alone. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Flavor #7: “Trios” A new flavor that features peanut butter and oatmeal while remaining gluten-free. Combining peanut butter and oatmeal is the cookie’s version of a 3-2 zone defense: I’m sure it’s effective in the right hands, but why complicate things needlessly? (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Virginia Tech (10-17, 2-12 ACC) isn’t simply in a different zip code or time zone than their instate counterparts but more like a separate continent. Three straight double-digit defeats assure coach Buzz Williams’ bunch of playing in the Opening Round of the ACC Tournament — and who isn’t ready for “Tuesday in Greensboro” with the Hokies, Wake Forest, Boston College and Georgia Tech boasting a composite 10-47 record? Blame bad work on the boards. The Hokies rank last in the ACC in rebounding margin. Hold your breath for that third league win — #4 Duke and second-ranked Virginia are next on the slate. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
Flavor #6: “Toffee-tastic” Serious sleight of hand: rich buttery cookies with toffee…but NO GLUTEN? After laying waste to Savannah Smiles in the first round, this Gonzaga of flavors could pull an upset for the ages in the quarterfinals. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
George Washington (17-10, 7-7 Atlantic 10) missed a major chance to defeat Davidson Wednesday — as a three-pointer by Kethan Savage missed the mark with one tick left on the clock in a 65-63 loss. Unlike there was against Dayton, there would be no Colonial magic — and now GW has to deal with four straight losses, as they came up empty at Richmond as well. With six losses in seven games, Coach Mike Lonergan’s team has gone from playing for the league lead to being in a three-way tie for seventh place. Can they get back the swagger lost at VCU when they shot 27% with 16 turnovers? St. Bonaventure comes to Foggy Bottom Wednesday. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Flavor #5: “Trefoils” The “Hoosiers” flavor. From four passes before each shot to picket fence inbounds plays. But does it have Jimmy Chitwood pouring it in from outside? Fundamentally sound shortbread cookie that knows its limitations, but plays to its strengths. Is that good enough to get to the Final Four? (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
George Mason (8-18, 3-11 Atlantic 10) looks for bright spots in a season where they’ve lost three of their last four by double digits. The 80-68 defeat to Fordham drops the Patriots to 13th place in the league as the young nucleus (just one senior and only one junior play more than 20 minutes per game) takes its lumps. The finishing stretch doesn’t feel promising:  three of GMU’s last four are away, with George Washington — an easy commute for the Foggy Bottom Faithful — the only home game. They have a chance to avoid the A-10 cellar by completing a season sweep of 14th-place St. Louis Saturday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Flavor #4:- “Do-si-do’s” Oatmeal and peanut butter. Defense and rebounding. Do not mess with this physical cookie — I can’t see it getting pushed around by shortbread…but a tightly called game could put this treat in foul trouble. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
#25 VCU (21-6, 11-3 Atlantic 10) picked up a huge 78-72 home victory over UMass Saturday to stay atop the conference standings (they’re tied with Rhode Island and own the tiebreaker). Just one game behind the Rams and Rams are Dayton and Davidson — and VCU plays both D’s over the next week-and-a-half. But first they travel across town to face Richmond — a team they lost to at home January 31. Since returning from injury, senior Treveon Graham is averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds. This crosstown rivalry has a chance to blossom into one of the A-10’s best. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson)
AP Photo/Zach Gibson
Flavor #3: “Samoas” Complex caramel and coconut come together to form the motion offense of cookies, setting screens while driving defenses nuts.  Although there are no nuts in Samoas. The big concern with Samoas is they’re not a binge cookie — these caramel delights are meant to be savored. Can they play up-tempo? (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
American (14-14, 7-9 Patriot League) had issues scoring against Boston University in their 61-53 loss to the Terriers last Wednesday, shooting just 24% in the first half. For a team that ranks near the bottom of Division I in shots attempted, that can never be a good thing. Sunday’s loss to Army means the Eagles have dropped 7 of 10, and are looking at playing in the opening round of the upcoming conference tournament. Is too much on guard Pee Wee Gardner’s shoulders? The senior is 12-for-37 from the field in the team’s last four losses, while making 5-of-6 shots in their lone win since February 4. AU hosts Navy and Bucknell to wrap up the regular season; the Midshipmen and Bison each beat the Eagles by 10 this year away from Bender Arena. (Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel)
Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel
Flavor #2: “Thin Mints” If the Samoas are almost too complex for their own good, prepare to rebound and run with this flavor. No cookie gets you winded more than the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels of snack food. Entire sleeves of this treat have been vaporized. This is also one of the few cookies that gets better when it’s frozen. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
Howard (14-13, 8-5 MEAC) rallied on the road to post its first-ever win against Savannah State, holding the Tigers to 18 second half points and one basket in the last 8:55 of regulation. The Bison won on the road despite shooting 39 percent, getting outrebounded by 17, and turning the ball over 21 times. The planets are certainly aligning for coach Kevin Nickelberry’s team — the James Gang (Daniel, Carlton, Miller) is one win away from its first winning MEAC season since 2001-02. Monday evening they face a South Carolina State team that’s dropped three of four. (hubison.com)
hubison.com
Flavor #1: “Tagalongs” Why does this peanut butter patty finish first? When you get to the Final Four it’s all about matchups — and Tagalongs can match half court wits with the Samoas while keeping pace with the run and gun Thin Mints. (girlscouts.org)
girlscouts.org
(1/21)

WASHINGTON — The road to the Final Four will be set sooner than you think. Once again, favorites will be tested and underdogs will capture the imagination of the public, living the mantra “it’s as much about matchups as ingredients”.  I’m not talking about the NCAA Tournament’s Selection Sunday — but the delivery of Girl Scout Cookies.  Every year the usual favorites (Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas) have to deal with the upstarts (Toffee Tastic?).  Similar situations occur regarding the area college basketball teams — thank goodness I can tie both together…

Dave Preston

Dave has been in the D.C. area for 10 years and in addition to working at WTOP since 2002 has also been on the air at Westwood One/CBS Radio as well as Red Zebra Broadcasting (Redskins Network).

dpreston@wtop.com

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