Another Bid Up For Grabs

By Ali Karimi - March 15, 2008

America East Championship
12:00 PM ET ESPN2
Hartford (18-15, 10-6 Am. East)
UMBC (23-8, 13-3 Am. East)

Notes: Neither team has ever advanced to the NCAAs. The America East Championship Game? That would be a first for both as well. Going into their semifinals game Hartford was 0-9 in conference semifinal play, UMBC was 0-8 in Division I conference semifinal games. The Hawks set a school record for Division I wins this season and come in winners of three straight. The Hawks got here by defeating New Hampshire 68-65 and then with a 59-52 victory over Boston University in the semifinals. Could this be the Banner year the Hartford faithful have been waiting for? UMBC tied a school mark for wins with 23 and a win over Hartford would cement their place, as perhaps the best UMBC team ever? A school record 24 wins and a tournament appearance would be huge feathers in that cap.

By winning the regular season crown UMBC is assured an NIT bid even if they lose, a loss would have Hartford waiting for next season. The Retrievers dropped Stony Brook 76-60 and then defeated Vermont 73-64 in the semis to set up this match-up. UMBC leads the conference in scoring (74.9) and Hartford ranks third (71.0). UMBC PG Jay Greene is second in the nation in assists averaging more than seven a game. UMBC has too much firepower for Am-East foes, they had only three conference losses all by three points or less. Shootouts favor the Retrievers. SG Ray Barbosa has been on fire lately picking up the slack for an injured Brain Hodges. Hodges suffered an ankle injury and has shown some rust in his return. Is he due for a solid outing? Darryl Proctor is a great defender and has a knack for grabbing caroms, in addition to being able to score. Cavell Johnson will come off the bench for the Retrievers and always seems to make good things happen. It's a testament to his team play, he could easily be a starter but told me the game unfolds before his eyes when he comes off the bench and he can come in and contribute immediately. I agree wholeheartedly. I was impressed with his all around game offense, defense, rebounding and ball handling. Matt Spadafora and Justin Fry know their roles and are solid defenders. I expect Fry to shut down whomever he is guarding.

RAC Arena is sold out. I have been to a couple of UMBC games at the RAC this season. The crowds have been getting progressively larger and the atmosphere more intense. This game will be the culmination of Retriever success. Unlike the Sacred Heart game I attended earlier in the week, this UMBC squad will not beat themselves. It's not a fluke that they are here. Coach Randy Monroe has these guys playing well and Mr. Intensity on the sidelines won't allow his to team to come out lackadaisical. The Retrievers don't turn the ball over, they play extremely well as a team and contrary to popular belief they can play defense. Hartford is going to give them all they've got but UMBC pulls away late and cuts down the nets at home. 73-65 UMBC. UMBC will be a 15 seed on Selection Sunday.

Bob Wischusen and Mike Kelley will call the game for ESPN2.

Don't be surprised to see UMBC draw Duke in their opening round game.