Upper Marlboro Man

What.  A.  Game.  Last night's men's college basketball championship was a welcome respite from all the political shrieking and spinning, and it was a reminder of what compels so many of us watch sports -- it's the best kind of reality TV.  The only kind, really.

Paige for the tie . . .

To the very end, it was a tight contest.  Favored North Carolina took a small lead, then slight underdog Villanova rallied to grab the lead for themselves, and it looked like they were in control and on the way to victory.  But North Carolina clawed back into it and with under ten seconds left, Carolina's Marcus Paige launched an ugly, improbable, double-clutch, splay-legged three-point prayer . . . and made it to tie the game!

. . .  Jenkins for the win!

With less than 5 seconds remaining, overtime was extremely likely.  But Villanova inbounded and raced madly up the court.  The ball-handler drove into the key and flipped the ball back to Kris Jenkins, who cooly sank a nothing-but-net three-pointer to win the national championship as time expired.  Bedlam ensued.  Final score Villanova 77-North Carolina 74.  Without a doubt, one of the best college finals ever!






The hero of the game, Kris Jenkins, hails from Upper Marlboro, MD.  Teammates Daniel Ochefu and Josh Hart are from Baltimore and Silver Spring, MD respectively.  It just so happens that Buster has family roots and relations in those places.  And since the Buckeyes were nowhere near championship caliber this year, I found myself pulling for the Villanova Wildcats of Philadelphia . . . and Upper Marlboro!

Great game!

Sorry, Mike.