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Coaches Vs Cancer 2006 From MSG
By Chris B. Semifinals MD Vs. St Johns Well I didn't get to see what was described to me as "the best display of basketball the Terps have had since the Memphis game". You know that is saying a lot when all you need to say is "the Memphis game". No year is needed, no location is needed. It was just one of those nights again when everything comes together for our boys. They make shots, defend well, and play well as a team. In my mind this one had the chance to be tough one. Playing against St Johns in Madison Square Garden is not an easy task, and I really didn't know what to expect. As I was at my meeting and my phone was blowing up early and often, all I could think was, this is not going to be good. Then I got the magic text from Bob saying something to the effect of so far so good. Then I thought well they are at least playing well. When I get to the car at the half and see the score of 58-21, I really couldn't believe what I was seeing. As I listened, I learned Ibekwe scored 22 . . . in the first half! DJ also played well with 19, while MJ added 18. Here was my favorite stat from this game: 21 assists. That is good to see. I remember games last year where they were no where near those kinds of numbers. Player of the Game: Ekene Ibekwe. 22 points, 14 boards. Since I didn't see the game, I have a hard time giving a report card based on box score, and talking to the rest of you about the game.
Finals MD Vs. Michigan State With a large contingent of D7 in South Boston to watch the MD BC football game, the 9:00 tip off time allowed everyone to arrive in time to head to L St. Tavern home of the money BYOF. With three pizza's in tow we arrived early enough to see Juan and the Trail Blazers take on the Celts in the bar before the MD tip. In this one DJ started out like a ball fire, and thanks to someone's brilliant idea, I had to drink every time DJ scored. How does 10 points in about 4 minutes sound. Well the Terps used a 62% shooting half to take a 7 point lead at the half. I felt they were playing well, but there were a few to many turnovers. The way they played the lead should have been more than 7. In the second half, things were going well. The lead was stretched to 12ish as Mike Jones nailed a NBA three, as Jason and I let out a huge "WHO". Things looked like all was going well, and the Terps would sail to the Coaches VS Cancer title. Then MSU just kept plugging away, and before you know it, we are in a nail bitter. When you don't score over the final 3 1/2 minutes what do you really expect. What could have very easily been a shot clock violation against the Terps became an elbowing foul as MSU tried to clear the rebound. So with that DJ gets a chance to ice the game from the free throw line. He proceeds to miss them both and now MSU has a chance down 62-59. Drew Neitzel gets the ball and "before" he can get the shot off is fouled. Nietzel to the line for only 2. And honestly I would not have been shocked if it was for 3. He hits the first. Now he is forced to miss the second. He does, it is tipped by MSU, but the ball goes away as the clock expires. Whew. They almost let that one get away. Once again this team is much more fun to watch, and are playing well together. Player of the game: DJ Strawberry, 17 points (6-7 shooting) and 5 assists. DJ was also named MVP of the tourney.
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