WASHINGTON — As we’re less than two weeks before Selection Sunday, that means it’s time for the annual enjoyment of pure minty goodness that is the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. It’s been a seasonal favorite since the field was an unseeded 32 teams and conferences were allowed just one at-large team in the tournament.
Now, not every McDonald’s location carries the Shamrock Shake. At least one Northern Virginia location had its shake machine go down, and every so often they run out of the “minty goodness” that is necessary for greatness. They’ve even added the unnecessary frill of whip cream and maraschino cherry while having the shake in a clear plastic cup (maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather leave some things to the imagination). But I will be enjoying multiple Shammy Shakes (no whip cream or cherry) between now and the end of the month.
#14 Maryland (23-6, 11-5 Big Ten) all of the sudden lost the minty mix that had propelled the Terps to a 10-2 start in league play. There’s no shame in losing 83-79 to Purdue on the road, but getting out rebounded 41-22 is a major red flag. Despite their size advantage, especially up front, this team hasn’t been a juggernaut on the glass this winter. They can’t live on five boards from Diamond Stone over 35 minutes. Coach Mark Turgeon’s team ranks fifth in the league in rebounding margin and they’ve lost to three of the four teams that rebound better (Big Ten leading Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue). The fourth is Indiana, the school they will visit Sunday. But first it’s a game with Senior Night foe Illinois, even though four of the Illini’s five league wins have come against sad-sacks Rutgers and Minnesota. ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi’s bracket model places the Terps in the East Regional as a #3 seed, facing Hofstra in Providence. CBSSports.com’s Jerry Palm has them a #3 in the South — facing IPFW in Providence. Our own model also has the Terps as a #3, the 10th overall team in the field.
Georgetown (14-15, 7-9 Big East) isn’t only not having the Shamrock Shake promotion, they’re ending breakfast at 8 a.m. in some locations. The Hoyas used a 14-1 run over the final 1:57 of the second half to force overtime, but ultimately fell in a 90-87 loss to Butler. They also had a 13-0 second half run in a game that had more than a few momentum turns. Three point defense and taking care of the ball were sore spots again — the Bulldogs hit 8-15 three-pointers and in one 4-minute stretch the Hoyas turned the ball over 7 times (during a 16-0 Butler run). D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera once again did his best to will another win…but after scoring 26 points the senior fouled out early in OT. In order to avoid the First Round at the Big East Tournament, the Hoyas need to beat both Marquette and #3 Villanova on the road while either Butler or Providence has to lose twice (Friars close with last-place St. John’s on the slate while the Bulldogs battle 8th place Marquette). At least there’s no Opening Round at MSG.
#4 Virginia (22-6, 11-5 ACC) stayed in contention for the league’s regular season championship by beating then-#7 North Carolina 79-74 in Charlottesville (once again the Cavaliers play UNC and Duke just once apiece). Malcolm Brogdon’s 26-point effort wrapped up a fantastic February, as the senior averaged 22 points a game on 57% shooting last month. In order to take the ACC, UVa needs to beat bubble team Clemson and self-banned Louisville while hoping UNC has another flameout against Duke. ESPN gives the Cavaliers a #1 seed in the South and a first-round matchup against North Florida, while CBS projects them as a #2 in the Midwest facing Stephen F. Austin. Both models have Tony Bennett’s team playing the first weekend in Raleigh. Our model has the Cavaliers as the second 2 seed, behind fellow ACC rival Miami.
Virginia Tech (16-13, 8-8 ACC) took care of business against the Mediterranean and Baltic Avenues of the league by beating Boston College and Wake Forest, with both victories coming away from Cassell Coliseum. The eight league wins matches the Hokies’ total from the three previous seasons combined…and Sunday’s victory means they’ll avoid the Opening Round of the ACC Tournament. What’s worked during the three game winning streak? Seth Allen coming off the bench (17 points per game) has given coach Buzz Williams’ team a necessary shot in the arm. Do the Blacksburg faithful dare dream of a winning league record? They close the regular season with two games at home, but one is against bubble team Pitt and the other is against a Miami squad that may be playing for a share of the league title.
George Washington (22-8, 11-6 Atlantic 10) missed a major chance to help its at-large profile when they fell at home to VCU 69-65. The loss to the Rams keeps GW out of contention for a double bye into the quarterfinals, and with VCU coming off the heels of a loss to George Mason this won’t even count as a loss to a top 50 team for the Colonials. Coach Mike Lonergan’s team didn’t necessarily play poorly against the Rams, they just didn’t play well enough. And although this year’s team has played well in stretches and has compiled 22 wins, they just haven’t looked like an NCAA team lately. A big Senior Night win over George Mason helped the cause, but a trip to always dangerous Davidson remains a pothole GW must avoid hitting on their way to the A-10 Tournament. The Colonials are projected “First Four Out” by CBS and “Next Four Out” (one step further outside the promised land) by ESPN. WE had them as the very first team out of the field prior to Tuesday night’s win.
George Mason (10-20, 4-13 Atlantic 10) enjoyed its win over VCU but was unable to capture consecutive conference wins for the first time this winter…slipping at last-place La Salle 76-68 befroe getting blown out at GW. The recent stretch of the season has seen the Patriots upset the Rams and shock Davidson but lose to the 11th, 12th and 14th place teams in the A-10. Despite some good wins, coach Dave Paulsen’s team has punched its ticket to the Opening Round in Brooklyn. Mason wraps up the regular season at home against Richmond.
American (11-18, 9-9 Patriot League) reclaimed its reputation as “the hottest team inside the beltway” by wrapping up its regular season with four straight wins-including a 67-66 victory over Loyola (MD). Guard Delante Jones takes Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 14 points a game against conference foes. Coach Mike Brennan’s team faces 3 seed Boston University Thursday in the Patriot League quarterfinals. The Terriers took both of the regular season matchups by double digits, holding AU to 35% shooting in one game and 3-20 from 3-point range in the other. BU’s leading scorer Erik Fanning scored 25 points in the February matchup and is coming off a double-double against Holy Cross.
Howard (12-19, 6-10 MEAC) closed its regular season with an 84-66 loss at Norfolk State…as James Daniel III was held to 15 points (his lowest output of the season) on 3-13 shooting. The Bison enter the conference tournament having lost 9 of 11…but hold the wildcard of having the nation’s leading scorer (J-Byrd’s 27.2 points per game are still outshining Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield’s 25.4 for the top spot). Marcel Boyd’s also been playing well as of late, with a pair of double-doubles in his last four games of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Bison can’t play 2-on-5.
