Charlotte Tries to Take the Next Step by Phil Kasiecki WORCESTER, Mass. – Charlotte traveled up here ready to take the next steps in building its program, a program whose recent success has been a bit muted outside of its home. In case no one has noticed, the 49ers have […]

Vermont’s Unassuming Star by Phil Kasiecki BURLINGTON, Vt. – Your team has just won its third straight America East championship, making history as just the third team to accomplish that. For the second time in a row, you’re the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. What do you do to celebrate? You […]

Title Goes Here by Michael Ermitage There are all sorts of ways to make NCAA bracket picks. You could stick to completely numerical data like the RPI, Sagarin ratings or something called the Pomeroy. Or you could flip on the television and hear three fine gentleman in expensive suits voice […]

The Agony of Defeat in Memphis by Phil Kasiecki MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Darius Washington had to be the sickest man in America on Saturday. The scene at the FedEx Forum said it all. Washington was just laying on the floor motionless, his head buried in his jersey, and no one […]

The Big Dance by Dean Austin As observant readers will have noted, I’ve taken a sabbatical from Hoopville this season. Personal family business is the reason, I’m afraid, and indeed I won’t even be in this country when the tournament is played. However, even without watching games most evenings and […]

The Feel-Good Story of College Basketball by Phil Kasiecki BURLINGTON, Vt. – Tom Brennan couldn’t have said it any more concisely to his players before the game. “You were born to win this championship. You were born to do it. That’s all there is to it.” Brennan’s Vermont Catamounts blew […]

Will Turtles Wear Dancing Shoes? by Doug McKinney In mid-February after beating Duke for the second time this year (third straight overall), the Terps were a pair of wins away from becoming a lock for this year’s NCAA tournament. But they dropped their last five of six games, leaving their […]