The TV timeout at 7:59 of the first half has Maryland up 17-15, no surprise once you realize that Butler has rarely shot with more than five seconds left on the shot clock, and that they haven't really gotten a fastbreak opportunity. The Terp fans got an unexpected treat (although not welcome by school officials, you figure), though - the Butler pep band played the Rock and Roll Pt. II song banned at Comcast - because of the students' home-made lyrics. Naturally, with the Butler cheerleaders on the floor, the Maryland fans took the opportunity to chant "Hey, you (stink)!'' at the appropriate times. Naturally, the non-Maryland media looked around, wondering what the hell that was about. Once again, I'm so proud to  be an alumnus.

More sights that aren't a surprise: a less-than-full house, although not by much. Definitely not the atmosphere for Duke-Virginia Commonwealth in the first round, and now the Duke crowd is gone.

During the previous timeout, the P.A. announcer gave the final from the South region thriller that, unfortunately, most of the fans here couldn't see and which overlapped the start of this one. Ohio State avoids the upset by Xavier, 78-71 in overtime. How much of a pair does Ron Lewis have, with that three that sent it to OT? Ohio State looked dead. Greg Oden had stunk up the court all day, and they still pull it out. You know Thad Matta's life had to have flashed before his eyes when that three went up.

We've got another timeout here - called by Maryland, just after A.J. Graves' three from in front of Gary Williams. Butler, 21-19 with 5:46 left in the half. The Butler contingent is getting louder.