If you have never gone to a low-major championship game, particularly one on a participant’s home floor, you are seriously missing out. I had my first opportunity to do just that on Saturday, when I went to the America East Championship between UMBC and Hartford at the RAC, on the campus of UMBC.
I do not want to get into too much detail about the game itself because it is, well, the America East, but regardless of the “level of play” (which is a farse because these guys can play with just about anyone), the game was a thrilling display of pure collegiate emotion. UMBC, on the strength of incredible long-range shooting, jumped out to a 25-6 lead and ran right in halftime, leading 41-23. Out of halftime, Hartford coach–and long-time John Chaney assistant at Temple–Dan Leibovitz made some necessary adjustments and the Hawks went on a run early in the second, getting as close as 10 points. However, the Retrievers would not be denied, turning the outside shooting back on and ended up winning going away, 82-63, as the whole place stormed the court, chanting “We want Tennessee! We want Tennessee!” Pretty amazing scene for someone who went to an undergraduate institution that no one has ever heard of.
Moving forward, the Retrievers drew Georgetown in the first round. As I said in my initial bracket reactions, probably not the best matchup for UMBC. No mid-major (with the possible exception of UNC-Asheville and the 7’7″ dude) can matchup with skilled 7’2″ center, Roy Hibbert. UMBC’s tallest starter is 6’8″ Justin Fry and he is listed at 220 pounds (I am thinking he would be lucky to actually weigh 200). Plus, Georgetown has experience, a great coach and immense talent all over the floor. So, what can UMBC do on Friday?
Well, personally, I believe that they can win. What do they say wins in March?
- 1). Experience. UMBC starts four (yes, FOUR) 1000-point scorers. Cavell Johnson and Ray Barbosa scored 1000 points at James Madison, before transferring this year. Darryl Proctor scored 1000 points for Coppin St. before tranferring this year. And, the leader of this team for the last three years, before this incredible influx of talent is senior SG Brian Hodges, who scored all 1000+ points in a Retriever uniform.
- 2). Guard Play. Barbosa (the America East’s leading scorer this year) and Hodges both play on the perimeter and are very capable ballhandlers and leaders, but this team is driven by the smallest guy on the court. Junior PG Jay Greene is second in the nation in assists, at 7.3 per game and leads the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.6. Yes, Greene dishes out over seven assists a game and only turns the ball over twice per game. The emotional leader of this team, Greene also pulls down 2.5 rebounds a game, which is not all that impressive, unless of course, you are 5’7″ TALL!
- 3). Regular Season Tests. To win the in the tournament, you have to be “tournament-ready.” UMBC played a difficult non-conference schedule and played it very well. They beat two regular season conference champions, Morgan State at home and American on the road. They were 3-0 against the Atlantic 10, with wins on the road against LaSalle and Richmond and a home win over George Washington. They also played at West Virginia, at Wichita St., and at Ohio St. (a game in which they had multiple late second-half leads before eventually losing by 9).
- 4). Coaching. Coach Randy Monroe is only in his fourth year, but was named America East Coach of the Year, and has done a fantastic job seemlessly incorporating three transfers–albeit, talented ones–into the lineup. Then again, he is no Thompson.
- 5). Best Player on the Floor Theory. Here is where the game may come down to. On defense, can UMBC’s “bigs” contain Hibbert? And, on offense, can someone step up and be the “best player on the floor” for the day? Ray Barbosa is UMBC’s most talented scorer, but will probably be staring at Jesse Sapp’s jersey all day. Sapp, as one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, should be able to neutralize Barbosa, which is why I believe that this game will come down to someone like Brian Hodges. And though I am a UMBC student, I am rooting as much for him as I am for the school he represents because I have gotten to know him personally over the past couple of months, and I can guarantee you that there isn’t a more humble, more dedicated, and a better person on and off the court than Brian Hodges, and after 3 years of being a great player on a bad team, it is about time he gets to revel in being a great player on a great team.
