A night to remember in College Park
It was one of the great scenes in college basketball: jubilant students rushing the court, ecstatic players being hoisted on shoulders, a giddy, emotional coach searching for the right words to describe his feelings in a courtside interview while the joyous mayhem raged all around him.
This was Comcast Center last night after Maryland's thrilling 79-72 win over Duke, a win that tied them for first place in the ACC, a win on Senior Night, the last time the three luminous seniors, Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne, would play there.
Post-game scenes I'll remember: Vasquez, weaving through fans and climbing over chairs to get to a post-game with a comely TV sideline reporter. Juan Dixon, the Terps' all-time scoring leader, beaming and accepting congratulations outside the media room as if he had just played in the game himself.
Vasquez, the Venezuelan native, bounding into the post-game interview and mischievously declaring he would only answer questions in Spanish, then shaking his head and declaring over and over (in English) "This was a dream come true . . . it means the world to me."
And coach Gary Williams, defiant to the end, talking about his three seniors and saying: "Those three guys are special because they all came through some things. They all heard last year that they weren't good enough."
It was a wonderful night in College Park -- the best they've had there in a long time.
Comments
Duke fans say we aren't their rivals, but who cares? That was an epic game and an atmosphere that you may never find yourself in again. With the stakes and emotion, I am so proud to be a MD student and fan. I am so proud of the way the team came out and then responded when with a 2nd wind when it looked like they didn't have one in them.
Its Duke. There is nothing like a Duke-MD game at the Comcast Center. Vazquez said it all- "It means the world" If us caring that much makes us not worthy of being Dukes rivals then so be it. At least we have this memory and love for our team and don't care if other teams see us as inferior for being enthusiastic about it.
Posted by: Danny | March 4, 2010 11:20 AM
Jordan Williams is becoming a beast. He actually dunks and goes up strong now. The 1st half of the season, he was missing layups and going up soft.
Just as Williams has improved, Milbourne has regressed. He has gotten small in big games. He is missing open shots and has become a non-factor for much of the 2nd half of the season. It says alot that in crunch time Milborune is riding the bench for extended stretches. What's his deal?
Vazquez played as usual. Jacking up horrible shots but still coming through in the end. As much as he makes you want to pull your hair out, he hits those crazy shots in crunch time quite often. Hayes and the bench were the difference to me last night. Hayes was insanely efficient as was Bowie and the bench. What a win!
Posted by: Danny | March 4, 2010 11:26 AM
The house was rockin last night. A sea of Yellow Tee-Shirts. I heard a friend was in the Green Turtle at 7:30 and fans were already starting to fill the place, and tipoff was not until 9:00
Posted by: Capt Jack | March 4, 2010 11:49 AM
The team played great, it was an exciting game, and hard fought victory.
That being said, what is up with the fans rushing the court? It is not like Maryland is some unranked nobody who knocked of the #1 team in the country. The fans should expect to beat Duke not act like it is some kind of miracle. Then the vulgar chant. Vulgarity aside, it is just an unimaginative lame cheer.
Posted by: Jim C | March 4, 2010 12:31 PM
It was a great game and great for UM to beat Duke but can someone please explain to the idiots that go out and riot on Route 1 that isn't part of the program. The student atheletes bust their a-- off to perform the way they do and you have these idiot fans causing destruction around the campus. That really helps the team get recruits and honor! GROW UP!!!!!
Posted by: Danny | March 4, 2010 12:49 PM
Shame the students and fans couldnt believe themselves after the game. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-um-game-arrests0304,0,1553531.story
Posted by: Capt Jack | March 4, 2010 2:34 PM
All the no good PUNKS who were arrested should be expelled pronto. Says a lot about a bunch of uneducated worthless punks who get their jollies disrupting the lives of others. There's video of these slime. Track them down and throw them out of school and in jail where all punks belong.
Posted by: Law and Order | March 4, 2010 10:00 PM
Last nights game was fantastic. Gary has done it again. Good for the U. of Maryland sports they need a boost. As usual I watch the game by myself, as no one should be subjected to such misery. I am the worst when it comes to watching Md. basketball. I proudly wore my U.of Md. hat today and will continue til they either win the NCAA or lose in the "Sweet 16".
Posted by: Rich | March 4, 2010 11:59 PM