Quick Poll: Duke or Maryland ~ Where would you go to play basketball?

So for the past 2 days or so, I've been debating back and forth with a friend over what program is better for a top college basketball prospect (i.e. assuming money is no object). I think the whole debate started after Coach K was featured on ABC News Nightline. I realize that we all have our own opinion so let's take it to the blog and involve more people, since I know how my friends think I'm curious about the public's opinion.

Money not being a concern, if you were a TOP basketball prospect, where would you go to college to try to ensure that you have the best future in the world of basketball (i.e. coaching, agents' pull, team's ability to win, basketball alumni network, etc.) ~ DUKE or MARYLAND?

Cameron Indoor Stadium

Comcast Center

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Quick bullets: Jay-Z's concert, Basketball (Cavs, Maryland, Kansas), and Hockey (Caps)

Music

Last night, Jay-Z rocked!  Hot show...  Seats were fantastic ~ Row F (less than 6 rows from the stage) on the floor!!!

Trey Songz opened ~ say, "Ahh"

Jay-Z

Young Jeezy ~ Rep'd his city, the ATL

Basketball

• Cavs won.  They beat the Nets.  That's 5 wins in a row. 
• Incidentally, I saw that the Cavs are trying to woo Zydrunas by visiting him in NYC.  I think I've neglected to mention that he's sensitive and tends to hold grudges.  I'm not saying that he won't return to Cleveland.  I'm 99.99999% he'll return to Cleveland, because ultimately, I believe he sees the big picture and wants a NBA Championship.  Yes, I'm not 100% ~ so yes, there's always a chance I'm wrong.  I'm just saying, I understand that he didn't appreciate being dealt in the first place.  
• Update, from David Aldridge:  http://www.nba.com/2010/news/03/04/ilgauskas.cavs/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
• Further, with Shaq's thumb injury I only have one word for the Cavs GM, and it's "Karma".
• (23) Maryland beat (4) Duke.  Normally this is a great match-up, and I'd be at the Comcast Center.  This year, I couldn't have cared less.  I've been in College Park when the Terps have upset the Blue Devils.  For those of you in the building, I'm sure you were thrilled.  However, the rest of the college basketball world (i.e. who recognize that the ACC is weak) would have preferred to watch (2) Kansas play (5) Kansas State.  In case you've been living under a rock, I'll tell you that Kansas won by 17. 
• Tip: ESPN 360 has regional programming.  If you're trying to bypass the regional restrictions, you need to Google the codes or try to connect to someone else's feed (e.g. http://www.just.tv/ or http://www/channelsurfing.net).
• Here's a picture from last year's Duke v Maryland game at the Comcast Center.

Duke v Maryland @ Comcast Center, Feb 2009 ~ Zoubek's jersey is ripped so he had to change it

Hockey

• 
  
  Tonight, the Caps return to the Verizon Center in their first home game since the Olympic break.  Should be a great game as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.  I can't wait to get there to take in all the action!
• 
  
  Yesterday, the Caps beat the Sabres in Buffalo.  The score was 3-1.  I'm actually a little curious to see what sort of ovation Ryan Miller received from the crowd after his strong Olympic performance.
• 
  
  Here's a story for you...  I was working in Montreal last year and shared the hotel elevator with the a few of the Tampa Bay Lightning players (i.e. who were in town to play the Canadiens).  I recognized the Lightning players from the logo on their travel bags, and I was trying to think of a way to make small talk after I heard them briefly talking.  This is the moronic phrase that came out of my mouth, "Oh - Tampa Bay, so that's why your English is so good."
• 
  
  Seriously?!?!?  How stupid was that?!?!  So much for small talk.  Sure, they didn't have strong Quebecois French accents, but it's not like the guys are from Tampa Bay...  Wow...  Lucky for me, the elevator ride was short and they were kind enough to just politely smile at me.

I have to keep it moving, so that's all I have (for now).

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Quick weekend wrap-up: Basketball, Tug of War, Hockey

OK - I'm all over the board on this one so I'll warn you now...  Here goes.  I'm doing larger "bullets" again in the interest of speed, bc my brain clicks faster than I type.

Friday ~ Basketball and Tug-of-War

• Went to the Nuggets v Wiz game...  Ilgauskas didn't play.  The Wizards won.  Those last 2 sentences are not related to each other ~ they're merely statements.  This is completely unexplainable, but my best guess is that the Nuggets were tired from beating the Cavs the night before in OT, so they inadvertently play down to the level of the Wizards...  AND since the Wizards are used to playing at such a low level, obviously they're better at playing that sort of game, so they won.  They lulled the Nuggets into a very weak game.  How weak?  I was more interested in chatting it up with the guy I was with and the nachos we were sharing, that I more or less didn't realize that it was half-time.  Further, I spent the entire 2nd half looking at George Karl and trying to see if he looked "sick".  He doesn't.  That's a good thing.  Incidentally, based on the pics I took, I think some of the Nuggets were more interested in posing for the pictures I was taking (i.e. we were sitting 3/4 rows behind the bench) OR maybe they just wanted some nachos... 
• So what is/are my point(s):
•  If I were the Lakers, I wouldn't be scared of the Nuggets. 
• Get the nachos w/cheese...

Kenyon Martin DOES resemble Method Man

• Went to friend's birthday celebration and ended up out with some friends.  Engaged in tug of war, when someone I know mistook my scarf for hers and RIPPED it out of my hands, after I told her it was MINE.  I can be a little feisty, sooooo this could've gotten ugly.  However, the situation was handled calmly by another friend at the venue. 
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Proper eyecare is important.  What is more important than one's vision?  Get your eyes checked regularly. 
• Duh. Though shall not steal. When I tell you something is MINE. It's MINE
• Don't rip anything out of anyone's hand.  People don't like this behavior.
• To paraphrase, Chris Rock, "If you say you're sorry, it'll be alright."  Muster the words.  Choke them out (i.e. the words, not the person) if you have to... 
• I never realized how appropriately named, "Tug of War" is...  Hmmm...

Saturday ~ Basketball

• Went to College Park, MD and watched the Georgia Tech  v  Maryland game.  On the way up there, one of the poeple in the car said that the line was Maryland -7.5.  He asked who I liked.  I told him I didn't like the number bc I didn't know what Maryland team would show up.  When pressed, I told him to take Tech.  He and his friend then told me I was "wrong".  Needless to say, I watched the end of that game closely.  Two amazing buzzer beaters ~ Maryland won.  BUT the difference in scores between GA Tech and Maryalnd was less than 7.5.
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Maryland had an amazing win, but consistently inconsistent teams are tough to follow and cheer for, bc you can't trust your eyes and predict the future. 
• Kid ~ wherever you are ~ I was RIGHT.
• Duke comes to town on March 3.  I was at the game last year, but will have to miss it this year.  With the ACC so weak it could be anyone's game, but I think Duke will win.  I mean, they SHOULD win...  Right!?!?

Sunday ~ Basketball and Hockey

• The Cavs played the Magic today (rematch of the Eastern Conf Finals)...  The Cavs lost and dropped 3 in a row.  3 in a row.  Not wins.  Losses.  They lost 3 in a row, and they haven't done that in 2 years (i.e. I think).  It's no secret how I feel about Danny Ferry, and the ridiculous trade that sent Zydrunas to Washington to hang out in my 'hood (i.e.  bc let's face it, that's what Zydrunas is doing).  I certainly don't see him puting on his #17 uni and running up and down the court.  The man is listed as INACTIVE.  As far as I'm concerned, Danny Ferry has single-handedly (ok, to be fair Ernie Grunfeld is equally to blame) imploded my favorite basketball team.  Anderson Varejao is now Shaq's back-up.  Are you serious?!?!  Am I the only one that can still hear the screams of 20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND) people yelling "GIVE IT BACK" the minute Lebron passed Varejao the ball in the final seconds of that one playoff game (that I'm desperately trying to forget) during the NBA FINALS!?!?!  Everyone in today's game had a bajillion fouls (i.e.  that's a HUGE number, people) as they ineffectively tried to guard Dwight Howard.  Now I'm not saying Zydrunas is a defensive mastermind against Superman, "Part Deux", but at least he's not flopping around like a fish out of water like Varejao.  GIVE ME A BREAK.
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Ferry is absolutely terrible, and I hope the Cavs lose every single game (if Zydrunas doesn't make it back)... Then I hope he and Mike Brown lose their jobs... AND THEN I hope Lebron leaves Cleveland and wins a title... and when all that happens, I'll shout it to anyone that'll listen, that it was ALL Ferry's fault...
• Now before all you Cavs fans get in a tizzy, let me clarify this point above.  I LOVE THE CAVS.  I would NEVER have imploded the team, messed with the chemistry, and taken away a quality center when the alternative is some guy with a crazy perm who can't play basketball.  IF, (1) Zydrunas makes it back, (2) the Cavs don't go on some crazy losing streak (i.e. bc of this trade), (3) they make it to the Finals, and (4) win the NBA Championship, then I'll be the first person to tell Danny that I'm sorry and that I was wrong.  Until then, I'm scathing mad.
• It's not a coincidence that there's an "Anderson Varejao Sucks" facebook page.  We are 200 people strong.  I bet if I friend requested my mom, I could get her to join the group too...  Hmmm...
• I should start a moving company in Cleveland bc people are going to need my services.
• Hockey.  Yeah, it's on today also.  Russia already beat Czech Republic.  All I know is that the final score was 4-2 and that Ovi had a monster hit on Jagr...  Go Ovi!!!
• So what is/are my point(s):
• I get my news from facebook status feeds. 
• USA v Canada tonight around 7:30.  It's a little after 6PM.  I need to get moving...
• Basketball ~ Oh yeah.  Duke plays VA Tech tonight too... 
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Yawn...  I bet the people at Cameron Indoor wish they could watch the USA v Canada hockey game.
• Go Duke.  Sorry, I had to add that in.  My brother may have to support me when I get old.  And for you smarties out there ~ yes, I said "WHEN"  :-P

Man...  It's tough to be a Cavs fan now...

Oh, if you want to buy your OWN scarf...  Here's a link for your convenience...















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