The party's over
Monday, March 10 at 10:25 p.m.
In the words of William & Mary's David Schneider, this weekend "has been a unique ride."
Tonight, though they put up a valiant effort, William & Mary just couldn't pull off the upset of a lifetime against George Mason. We were pulling for them though.
But George Mason is on the way to the Big Dance later this month and we are headed home for some much needed rest and meals that contain vegetables. I know it sounds wimpy, but it is amazing how sore your butt can get after four days sitting on press row. It's also amazing what four days of the Coliseum's meatloaf can do to your intestinal track, but you really don't want to hear about that.
Unfortunately, it looks like our official RBlog coverage of the CAA this year will end with this post. Earlier today, ESPN made the call that VCU will most likely not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Though we had a blast going up to Buffalo, N.Y., last year to cover VCU's first round win over Duke ... and seeing Niagara Falls ... and losing all of our money at the Canadian casinos. .. and being stranded after our truck broke down -- we are sort of relieved that we can stay home this year and watch it all on TV (maybe).
So, thanks for following our CAA coverage this year. It's been real, it's been fun, but after VCU lost it wasn't really fun. Until next year ...
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Apologies and promises
Monday, March 10 at 6:35 p.m.
A few days ago I know I promised you an exclusive interview with VCU's infamous Banana Man and Chicken Suit Guy, but thanks to William & Mary's third consecutive heartbreaker last night that just ain't going to happen.
I hear they have gone into Jack Daniels-sponsored reclusion in a filthy alley somewhere behind the Siegel Center.
Hopefully, they will survive to see next season. Good luck boys.
On another note, I also promised you a collection of some of the best and worst taunts and comments from the CAA Fan Nation. That promise I can keep.
And the awards for the best worst comments of the tournament go to...
"Any body got any sunglasses? Turn out the lights! I'm snow blind!"
-- In reference to the poor William & Mary cheerleader that has apparently never seen daylight or melatonin.
"Do those cheerleaders scare you, too?"
-- Random observance, possibly founded in truth
"Go home Yankees! Go home Yankees!"
-- A little JMU Southern hospitality chanted toward the Boston-based Northeastern team.
"What is the only similarity between National Geographic and Playboy? In both you are looking at places you will never visit."
-- Sportscasters taunting each other about getting older.
"[Satellite.]" "[School.]"
-- Two posters held up by Delaware's band members during the UNC Wilmington game.
"That's what happens when you live in a real size state!"
-- Apt response from a Seahawks fan
"You can't spell MiniMUM waGe without GMU."
-- From a William & Mary student's sign
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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That's why the call it March Madness
Sunday, March 9 at 7:45 p.m.
No matter what happens Monday night in the CAA Championship game, the story of the tournament is William & Mary's victory over No. 1 seed Virginia Commonwealth University. (Another thing worth noting is some of the awful shooting by many of the teams, but that's another story for another day.) If the Tribe can pull off a win over George Mason in front of a national TV audience, then I say who they meet in the NCAA tournament better watch out.
What William & Mary has done really isn't all that surprising – it is March, you know. Anything can happen. But it's the way they've done it that's created all the shock.
You've heard this already I'm sure: The Tribe came into the tournament losing six of seven games. Any team not on a roll entering the postseason is expected to just fall out and be forgotten about. Day one wasn't necessarily a shocker. They were supposed to beat Georgia State. Then day two came along and it was déjà vu. Not that they were supposed to lose to Old Dominion, but nobody really expected it.
Nobody but the Tribe thought a third day of heroics would occur against VCU. As I was sitting here watching the game going through the story in my head, I said, "Here we go again," when there were about two minutes left in the game. Something told me it would just happen. Some things were just meant to be, especially in March.
As for now, it's time for us to say farewell for the night to the Richmond Coliseum and get some much needed rest.
-- David Hylton, editor
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GMU holds on to early lead over UNC-W
Sunday, March 9 at 6:35 p.m.
No. 3 George Mason amassed an early lead against No. 2 UNC Wilmington to hold off the Seahawks 31-25 at the half.
Overall, George Mason is shooting 53.8 percent with sophomore Louis Birdsong and junior guard Dre Smith pulling down eight points each. Smith is currently shooting 1.000 making all of his three shots, including two three-pointers, but briefly left the game at the two minute mark citing complaints with his left knee.
UNC-W's T.J. Carter currently leads the team's offense with nine points with Vladimir Kuljanin and Daniel Fountain scoring six each. Overall, the team is scooting 36 percent.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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William & Mary upsets No. 1 VCU 56-54
Sunday, March 9 at 5:25 p.m.
Tony Shaver just proved why he is this year's CAA Coach of the Year.
With a two-pointer at the three-second mark, William & Mary clenched their third consecutive last-second win in this tournament and secured their place in school history.
This is the farthest the Tribe was ever advanced in the CAA tournament.
On the other hand, VCU has the longest trip ever taken across town ahead of them.
Stay tuned for David's post game coverage.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Baby, it's cold outside
Sunday, March 9 at 1:55 p.m.
For the past two days, rumor has it there's been some bad weather. On Friday it was heavy rain. On Saturday it was high winds. How would we know? We've been stuck inside this refrigerator at the Richmond Coliseum.
Not that I'm complaining – most of these games have been great. If you were sitting at home watching your street flood or branches fall from the trees, that's your fault. You could've been here watching all the action.
Today the sun might be shining, but baby, it's cold outside. In the Coliseum, however, it's nice. And with thousands expected for today's games, it'll probably stay that way. We're hoping the action on the court stays hot as well.
Nobody would've predicted that VCU would be taking on William & Mary. Can the Tribe pull another rabbit out of their three-point hat? We'll find out at 3 p.m.
In the late game, UNC Wilmington will take on George Mason. The buzz this afternoon is that this will definitely be a good game.
So if you're sitting at home thinking there is nothing to do, then head downtown and sit back and enjoy the CAA action.
-- David Hylton, editor
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And then there were four...
Saturday, March 8 at 11:05 p.m.
Three games went as expected tonight, but the William & Mary upset over ODU proved to be another SportsCenter worthy performance. Let's see if they can produce the same game-breaker spirit tomorrow against No. 1 Virginia Commonwealth at 3 p.m.
With three Virginia teams in the running as well as UNC Wilmington, whose fan base usually travels quite well during the tournament, tomorrow and Monday's games have the makings to create some record-breaking crowds. That's great for the CAA, but I am not sure how much more pep band induced hearing damage we can take.
Does workers comp cover temporary deafness?
Nonetheless, we've had our fill of basketball here tonight. We're headed home to rest up for the fireworks tomorrow.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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George Mason holds 13-point lead at the half
Saturday, March 8 at 9:35 p.m.
George Mason used a 14-2 run mid-way through the first half to pull away from Northeastern.
The Patriots are up 33-20 at halftime.
George Mason's Will Thomas scored the game's first five points before the Huskies battled their way back to take a one-point lead. Then the streaking Patriots took over from there.
The Patriots are shooting 51.9 percent from the field; the Huskies are shooting just 36.8 percent, including going one for five from the three-point line. George Mason also holds an 18-10 rebound advantage.
Thomas is leading all scorers with 9 points.
-- David Hylton, editor
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History of the Blue Hen
Saturday, March 8 at 7:50 p.m.
Sitting 10 feet away from Delaware's mascot, a Blue Hen, I wondered what exactly a blue hen is. It's something that history books never taught me, and no other mascot in the CAA has intrigued me quite so much.
To my surprise, there's some interesting history behind the blue hen. The blue hen chicken became Delaware's state bird in 1939. Many years before that, though, the blue hen became popular during the Revolutionary War. Soldiers often staged cock fights with a breed that was known as the Kent County Blue Hen. The birds developed a reputation for their ferocity and their success in fights.
Its connection to the University of Delaware goes beyond being the school's mascot. The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources keeps a breeding group of the blue hen chicken on the campus farm. Don't believe me? Look it up. Although wikipedia has been known to be wrong before.
And on that note, this is the most press coverage you'll probably see about Delaware during this tournament beyond yesterday's win. Stayed tuned for details from Kent.
-- David Hylton, editor
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UNC Wilmington leads Hens
Saturday, March 8 at 7 p.m.
In what started off as a closely contested game, No. 2 UNC Wilmington has pulled away to lead the No. 7 University of Delaware Blue Hens 42-30 at the half.
Though Delaware forward Herb Courtney has already pulled down 16 points so far, Wilmington is shooting 66.7 percent in both field goals and three-pointers as well as dominating in defensive rebounds.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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William and who?
Saturday, March 8 at 4:50 p.m.
I did NOT see that coming.
Just before William & Mary went on their massive first half scoring run over Old Dominion, a friend of mine sent me an e-mail that I thought would sum up the entire game.
"Worst game ever?"
Not in the slightest.
Once again, just like their game yesterday over Georgia State, William & Mary proved that they are the team to beat when the pressure is on. Yesterday it was sophomore guard David Schneider who hit the last second trey. Today it was Nathan Mann.
Either way, it was amazing.
You know it's a great shot when press row, which is supposed to be the most the most unbiased section in the stadium, utters a collective "HOLY S%&#!!!" after it falls in.
William & Mary also beat a school record today. This is the first time the Tribe has won two games at the CAA tournament.
Two.
OK, that's not the best record to brag about but for a school that pops open the champagne when it gets a .500 season, it's a pretty good reason to celebrate.
As for me, I don't think I'll need anymore crack for the rest of the day after that one.
Did I just say that? Just kidding Human Relations department.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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William & Mary up 24-23 at the half
Saturday, March 8 at 3:40 p.m.
In the second game of the day, there's a whole lot of streaking going on. Fortunately none of it is from the fans.
Old Dominion jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead before William & Mary notched two free throws. The Tribe didn't score a field goal until about nine minutes into the game. When that streak ended, William & Mary quickly hit two three-pointers.
With the Monarchs up 13-8 with about 8:30 remaining, William & Mary went on a 14-0 streak.
When that streak ended with 2:30 to go in the half, ODU scored 10 unanswered points.
Both teams are struggling from the field – William & Mary shot 29.2 percent while ODU was slightly better at 34.8 percent.
At the half, William & Mary is up by one point, 24-23.
The Tribe is seeking to put an end an unlucky streak. They have never beaten the Monarchs in five meetings in the CAA tournament.
-- David Hylton, editor
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The action heats up on day two
Saturday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.
While the weather outside is nasty, things are much better inside today. With all the VCU fans in here, this is how I remember basketball games. And I don't have to sit through any commercials. Take this as a hint – buy some tickets and catch some of the action later today, tomorrow and Monday night. It's well worth it.
In addition to the action on the hardwood, you may get a chance to see VCU's band director displaying his talents. It's something you don't want to miss if you're not offended by people taking their clothes off.
You also need to adjust yourself to get used to hearing the phrase, "You suck." Apparently every player on the opposing team, the refs and the other school's band suck.
-- David Hylton, editor
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Getting Rowdy this morning
Saturday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m.
The coffee is on, some of the teams are having a morning shoot around and we're back on press row at the Richmond Coliseum.
We are about a half hour away from what should prove to be the most popular game of the day as No. 1 VCU faces off against No. 9 Towson University.
At 10 a.m., there were already more than 500 Ram Rowdies gathered outside the Coliseum's ticket windows. The natives are indeed restless but it's looking good for their team.
Towson has never advanced past the quarterfinals in CAA tournament play and have lost to VCU 13 of the 14 times they played each other in past years.
Though the Tiger's C.C. Williams put up a great defensive effort yesterday against Hofstra (he was sixth in voting for the CAA All-Defensive team), how will Towson fair against CAA Player of the Year Eric Maynor and the rest of VCU's explosive offense?
I don't think we need a magic 8-ball to figure that one out.
On another note, I just confirmed the presence of VCU's famous Chicken Man and Banana Guy. They aren't in uniform today, but they promised me they will be in full get-up on Sunday. Coming soon -- the best 100-proof interview ever.
Stay tuned for our halftime coverage.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor -----------------------------------------------------
And then there were eight
Friday, March 7 at 10:43 p.m.
Between the awesome b-ball action on the court today and the gallon of Red Bull coursing through my veins, I think I have reached critical mass on excitement for the day.
Four teams are on their way home tonight while four others are licking their wounds and preparing for their quarterfinal matchups tomorrow. We have seen some great basketball today and have heard some of the worst verbal abuse ever from Fan Nation, especially from the visions of sobriety sitting right behind us.
Let's just say somewhere in Williamsburg, a poor William & Mary cheerleader is crying her way to a tanning booth. I'll explain that later as I am currently compiling a list of the absolute worst. We'll publish some of the FCC-approved ones later this weekend.
We are also planning on crashing the CAAZone party tomorrow night. So look forward to lots of slurred game notes later in the evening after we drunk dial ex-girlfriends and hit on some of the coach's wives. Just kidding, boss.
Anyway, my "Low Beer" light is on and we have to get some rest for a big day tomorrow.
Anyone know the antidote to Red Bull?
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Huskies hold 38-25 lead over Dukes
Friday, March 7 at 9:40 p.m.
Northeastern has opened up a 13-point lead over James Madison University in a game that had all the looks of dragging along until the final few minutes of the first half.
However, two hard fouls that put two Northeastern players on the floor have turned things around and gotten the players and fans fired up.
The No. 6 Huskies and No. 11 Dukes combined for more than 20 fouls in the first half.
Northeastern's Manny Adako is leading all scorers with 10 points. Coming off the bench, Eugene Spates added 8 points for the Huskies.
-- David Hylton, editor
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Slow starts, a little breeze and better fans
Friday, March 7 at 7:40 p.m.
While each game has definitely been different so far, there are some common themes. Each first half has been slow paced. From sloppy shots to turnovers to fouls, all the teams seem to be starting slow. Perhaps it's their nerves, or perhaps because it feels more like hockey temperatures inside than what you'd expect for a basketball game.
Seriously, I'd be surprised if it were 55 degrees in here. Plus there's a nice little breeze at the far end of the media tables.
Another common thing happening tonight is the fact the fans have gotten better with each game. Drexel's few dozen fans and cheerleaders haven't let up all game. Delaware's three fans are keeping at it, too.
I expect that the late game will have even more fans with JMU playing. And tomorrow at noon, I'm sure this place will be rocking with VCU kicking off the day.
-- David Hylton, editor
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Hens, Dragons keep it close
Friday, March 7 at 7:01 p.m.
After a hard fought half of basketball, the No. 7 Delaware Blue Hens lead the No. 10 Drexel Dragons 28-25.
Delaware guard Alphonso Dawson went shot for shot with Drexel center Frank Elegar to start off the game. Elegar pulled down 13 total points in almost 19 minutes of the half, hitting five of six of his field goals.
Dawson so far is shooting 100 percent from the floor, making all four of his shots, two of which were treys.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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That is the CAA for you
Friday, March 7 at 4:35 p.m.
What a finish!
In the first nail biter of the championship, William & Mary's David Schneider just broke some hearts. With less than three seconds to go, Schneider nailed a game winning three-pointer to send the boys from Georgia State packing.
If that wasn't worthy of a SportsCenter Top 10 clip, I don't know what is. Well, maybe a waterskiing squirrel, but besides that...
Indicative of what the CAA has offered all season, this game is the first of what should prove to be a bevy of truly exciting college basketball tournament moments.
This truly is a great tournament.
Stay tuned for David's post-game recap.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Georgia State up 31-25 over William & Mary
Friday, March 7 at 3:35 p.m.
Is there an upset brewing in the CAA tournament's second game?
No. 12 seed Georgia State leads No. 5 seed William & Mary 31-25 in a slow-paced first half.
Junior Leonard Mendez led the way for the Panthers with 11 points. The Tribe's top scorer was sophomore Danny Sumner with 8 points. Sophomore David Schneider has 6 points for William & Mary.
William & Mary (14-15 overall, 10-8 CAA) enters the tournament having lost six of its last seven games. Georgia State won two of its last three, but has an overall record of 9-20 and 5-13 in the CAA.
In the teams' previous meeting this season, William & Mary edged Georgia State 60-58.
Check back with Richmond.com this evening for full game coverage.
-- David Hylton, editor
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Timeout on the floor
Friday, March 7 at 2 p.m.
Someone suggested to me to have a blog entry at every TV timeout. If I did that, then I'd probably drive myself crazy coming up with new thoughts every four basketball minutes. Oftentimes the action on the court in those four-minute spans don't deserve media coverage.
When you're at a basketball game, the timeouts don't seem so bad. But I think one reason I stopped watching basketball on TV so much in recent years is because of the timeouts. Every four minutes of play, there's a so-called TV timeout. On top of that, it seems the teams have about 20 of their own timeouts to use during the game. And on TV, any break in the action means that an advertiser gets a chance to promote something you're probably not going to buy anyway.
Meanwhile, back at this first game, things are heating up. Kent will have all the details for you sometime soon. It all depends on how many timeouts we have in the last three minutes …
-- David Hylton, editor
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Towson roars past Hofstra at half
Friday, March 7 at 1 p.m.
After an unusually sloppy first half, the Towson University Tigers lead the Hofstra University Pride 31-13.
An aggressive Towson defense effectively shut down Hofstra's go-to shooter Antoine Aguidio, limiting him to an unusually low two points at the half. Aguido went scoreless until 12:32 with a jumper from inside, but followed up with a sting of missed three-pointers.
Towson's Jonathan Pease and Josh Thornton led their team's late-half scoring charge with nine points each, including three treys from Pease.
Check back with Richmond.com this afternoon for full game coverage.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Back in a comfort zone
Friday, March 7 at 12:40 p.m.
I used to love watching and playing basketball, but I haven't been to a college game in years. And that was at my Division III school. So in the first 10 minutes of the first match-up of the CAA tournament, my reactions are mixed. As Kent will likely explain later, the play on the court has been sloppy at best.
But what I am impressed with is the passion of the bands and fans. All 15 of them. They're yelling at the refs and screaming d-d-d-d-defense loud enough to make me d-d-d-d-deaf in my right ear.
Meanwhile there's a bird flying around in here. Someone call animal control please.
So, we're only one-fourth of the way through the first game. While I hope the game play gets better as this game goes on and in future games, it's nice to be watching college basketball again.
-- David Hylton, editor
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Game time, baby!
Friday, March 7 at 11:55 a.m.
We have arrived and it's on, baby!
The bands are warming up, the mascots are properly groomed and the stands are...well, empty at the moment. But it is only the first game of the championship series and estimates are looking good for this year's crowds. More than 42,000 fans filled the Richmond Coliseum during last year's CAA tournament and organizers said they are expecting even more this year.
With that being said, the Hofstra/Towson game is about 10 minutes away but we wanted to whet your coach's whistle with a few highlights from this year's CAA season and some tidbits to get you excited for the upcoming games.
Did you know...
These guys like to keep it close. Of the 108 CAA games played this year, almost half were decided by seven points of less. If memory serves me correctly, most of the tournament games last year were just as close if not closer. Get ready for some nail biters.
It's looking good for VCU this year. The No. 1 seed has won the championship for the past six years and 10 times in the last 13 years. Only once has a team seeded lower that No.4 won the CAA tournament. Sorry, Georgia State.
ODU senior guard Brandon Johnson is moving up the charts. The 2008 CAA Defensive Player of the Year is only two steals away from having the third highest amount of career steals in the conference. It maybe a long shot but if he pulls down 10 steals this weekend, he will break the record for most CAA steals in a season.
Highlight reel? This season, the CAA has made ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 at least three times. With several buzzer beaters this year in conference play, you may see some more national exposure this weekend. Kenny Mayne, we've got a $20 with your name on it. Make it so.
Got Sirius? You can check out all the games on channel 119 all weekend long. You can also hear the game locally on ESPN Radio 950 AM.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Maynor, Shaver Take CAA Top Honors
Thursday, March 6 at 10:50 p.m.
To cap off a truly spectacular season, VCU junior guard Eric Maynor received several honors tonight at the Colonial Athletic Association's annual awards banquet, namely clenching the coveted 2008 men's basketball Player of the Year award.
Maynor was also named to the All-CAA First Team and the CAA All-Academic Second Team.
Sharing the spotlight was William & Mary's head coach Tony Shaver who was chosen as the 2008 CAA Coach of the Year.
Other top honors went to Hofstra freshman guard Charles Jenkins as CAA Rookie of the Year and Old Dominion senior Brandon Johnson as CAA Defensive Player of the Year, who led the CAA this year with 86 steals. UNC Wilmington's co-captain Todd Hendley won the CAA's prestigious Dean Ehlers Leadership Award.
Not surprisingly, Maynor received 41 of 48 votes by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and selected members of the media to win the top honor. He helped lead VCU to a 23-6 record this season and the school's second consecutive regular-season title. Maynor ranked second in the CAA in scoring with 17.8 points per game and led the league with 5.3 assists per game. He also ranked in the top 10 in the CAA in field goal, free throw and 3-point percentages. Though he is only in his third season, Maynor has scored more than 1,100 career points and is fourth on VCU's all-time assists list with 443.
Joining Maynor on the All-CAA first team are teammate Jamal Shuler, Hofstra's Antoine Aguidio, UNC Wilmington's T.J. Carter and George Mason's Will Thomas.
Along with Johnson on the CAA All-Defensive team are Drexel's Frank Elegar, VCU's Jamal Shuler and freshman Larry Sanders and George Mason standout Will Thomas.
Comprising the CAA All-Rookie are Hofstra's Jenkins, Northeastern's Chaisson Allen, Delaware's Alphonso Dawson, VCU's Larry Sanders and UNC Wilmington's Chad Tomko.
Proving that academics are just as important as athletic ability, the CAA All-Academic first team consists of James Madison's Terrance Carter, UNC Wilmington's Darion Jeralds, Northeastern's Nkem Ojougboh, William & Mary's David Schneider and Hofstra's Darren Townes.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor
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Welcome to the CAA
Thursday, March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Foam finger? Check!
Banana suit? Check! (We'll explain later.)
Plastic flask that we can easily slip by security? Uh ... no comment.
But we are really excited! The Colonial Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championship is back at the Richmond Coliseum this year and we are ready for all the action.
Just like last year, Richmond.com will be courtside, in the stands and at the celebration parties covering all the action that the annual CAA tournament has to offer.
We will be kicking off our RBlog coverage tonight by attending the CAA's awards dinner at the Marriott to see who gets what, though we already have a good idea who is winning the player of the year award.
Then on Friday morning, we check in for our courtside seats at the Coliseum to begin four days of the most in-depth basketball coverage we can muster. For each game, we'll be writing halftime reports, post-game stories and constantly updating photos so you can get a better glimpse of all the action.
In between and directly after the games, we are heading out on the town to do some "research" on what fans are thinking about their teams as they either celebrate or console themselves at the bars.
We are also going to put on an all out search for the Banana Man and the Chicken Guy, the two outrageously outfitted, and often over-served, VCU fans that swear their outfits and boisterous taunting of opponents helped take their team to the NCAA tournament last year. We might need Keith Richards to translate the interview for us but we'll do our best.
Anyway, welcome to the other side of the tournament.
-- Kent Jennings Brockwell, associate editor