Rec’ing on…2006 NCAA ABQ Regional – Second Session

Wow. Maryland made it into the Final Four!

Almost more importantly (almost) was the great time I had over the past four days: getting to talk with Coach B., reuniting with UM women’s basketball fans…friends both old and new, and the overwhelming kindness my fellow basketball crazies extended to me to enrich my first Terrapin moments in almost sixteen years (t-shirt, doo-dads, and even a seat with them for the final game). It was like I hadn’t been away for an extended period…just missed a few games is all.

University of Maryland
Women’s BasketballI’ve tried to explain to family and friends how deep my roots go in this area, but they just don’t understand. I often quip that if you cut me, I bleed black and gold. Frankly, it’s true. I love my alma mater, and I love these fans and this sports program. For a good number of years they were a huge part of my life. It’s times like this that I long to be back in the DC area so that I can once again be part of this organization. These are fantastic people, and that they still consider me to be a part of them is a very great honor.

OK. Enough gushy stuff (for now). What about the game? I gots to say, it was fun to watch…doubly so compared to Saturday’s session as I was now sitting with the Maryland contingent instead of being in the midst of several hundred Baylor fans. It’s as true in fandom as it is in real estate: location, location, location. I mean, not only are people cheering for the correct team, but they happily join in the M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D part of the Victory Song. (I’m sort of curious why the band never once, in two games, played the Fight Song…only the Victory Song. Also…am I the only person who sings all the words?) I have to admit that my throat is a little raw from having shouted for nearly the entire game. What can I say? I had a blast.

Oh, and the seat I was very graciously comp’ed…? Down low and behind the Maryland bench. I couldn’t have asked for better. I felt closer to the basketball action than I’ve been since I sat on the floor as a photographer. Great view.

I entered the game feeling somewhat concerned about how Maryland was going to play. When I received a late call to join up with fans at the team hotel, I learned that an illness had been coursing through the team for the past couple of days. Combining that with the altitude that Utah’s players were more than used to, and I thought that Maryland might have a little bit of a battle.

My feelings weren’t eased watching Maryland warm up. On Saturday, it didn’t seem like they could miss a shot before the game started; on Monday, they missed more than they made, and Kristi Toliver (the last to get hit with the illness) wasn’t looking so hot…though she was making almost all of the long-range shots she took.

When the game was on, I was so much in the moment that I really didn’t keep track of what was going on. Maryland was mostly leading, though not pulling away. I wasn’t keeping track of who was scoring what. I did note, though, after Toliver made like her third 3-pt shot in the second half, that ESPN commentator Pam Ward (a Maryland alumna, for those who don’t know) got a little excited there next to Nancy Lieberman. From what I saw this game and on Saturday, Nancy must leave games awfully bruised after the number of friendly punches received from Pam.

I think the only moment of concern…which led to a moment of great relief…was when Thorburn missed the first of her two free throws at the end of regulation. That all but guaranteed overtime if Maryland couldn’t get a bucket, which they didn’t. When the buzzer sounded, I think everyone on the Maryland side felt both relieved and confident. Maryland had already played four overtimes (all on the road and against ACC teams), and won them all. If nothing else, the Terps win in OT…and they do it emphatically. They did not disappoint in their fifth attempt.

The aftergame was sort of sedate, but fun. Some post-game interviews would have been nice, but all-in-all a good time was had. I never tire of seeing the Terps cut down nets (though the loooong struggle of getting Testudo, the Terp mascot, to cut his piece of the net was only relieved with help from one of the players). It was cool to get to join in the singing of "Hail Alma Mater". Also, I made sure to yell out thanks to the cheerleaders and to the band…no less a part of the party. I even got a very brief moment at the end to exchange thanks with Coach B.

So. A really good four days. I can’t really express how happy I am that I not only got to see the Terrapins play, but that I got to see them on such a stage. Combine that with the fans and boosters being so kind to their displaced family member, and I’ve been given the gift of scores of happy memories. Oh yeah, and one more thing…

FI-NAL FOUR! FI-NAL FOUR! FI-NAL FOUR!