Heartbreak

So I've been neglecting this thing for a while, mostly due to my laziness. I guess the most eventful thing that has happened to me recently is watching Maryland in the NCAA tournament. Even though its been over a week, the shock and disbelief is still with me, particularly because the sweet 16 games are finishing up and elite 8 games are approaching with the thoughts of what could've been still lingering. I have never felt so connected with a team in my life. It's sad that it had to be after I graduated but regardless my heart was with this team each and every game. The fact that we were projected to be in the middle of the pack in the ACC, and ended up finishing tied for number one in the conference says a lot about this season and Maryland basketball as a whole.
It's true we didn't have anyone like John Wall, Evan Turner, or Wesley Johnson but we do have the less known but equally appreciated Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne. Our beloved seniors poured their hearts into this season, especially in the last game against Michigan State. Although it may not have been the "must watch" game of the year, it could very well end up being on of the top five for the tournament. I'll admit I was beginning to lose hope in the game, especially being dominated on the boards all game and having the announcers repeatedly mention our lack of size didn't help. Of course in typical Maryland fashion ( this season at least ) we fought our way back and showed more heart than I've seen all season. Even though we fell short to a buzzer beating 3 pointer, I'm proud of the way we fought back to come within one bucket of winning after being down by 15.
Albert, Eugene and I have had a tradition this season of either watching the games together (Georgia Tech and Duke) or being online talking to each other in a chatroom online. I believe we've done this since the Georgia Tech game, probably 10 or so games and it's been a fun experience this season with other devoted fans. As the season went on our chatrooms got more intense and the last game of the season just topped it off. We were all going crazy, smashing our keyboards, hearts racing as Maryland fought back to take the lead with 7 seconds left. As Lucious hit that shot I just sat in disbelief, did this REALLY just happen to us? Did we REALLY just fight out back just to have it ripped away from us on a last second shot? I couldn't even talk to anyone and left my computer to sit on my couch and stare at the T.V. blankly. I only wish we could've moved on and played Northern Iowa and potentially Tennessee.
I'll admit I wasn't a fan of Greivis his first couple years. The turnover prone, loud mouth, awful shot selection, cocky player wasn't a fan of many. Now, I am truly going to miss his play and his style. Even though he took bad shots most games, his swagger brought confidence throughout the entire team and carried us to the becoming one shot of being in the sweet 16. I don't think there is a more opposite player of Greivis than Eric Hayes. He is always cool, collected and never says a word. He was definitely one of the nicer guys on the basketball team as far as talking in person, taking pictures (haha Cristina still bitter that I have a picture with him and you don't?), shaking hands and what not. Landon Milbourne is probably my favorite senior leaving this year. I like the way he plays for the team and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He's been playing out of position for 2 years now, playing against people who are stronger, bigger and taller than he is. He doesn't complain but just goes out there and does his job. I'm truly going to miss these seniors and I wish them the best in the future. Thank you for THE most exciting sports season I have ever been privileged enough to experience first hand, things are looking up for Maryland basketball.



Looking back at our favorite moments from this past season

Cliff Tucker buzzer beater against Georgia Tech 2/20/10

Jordan Williams posterizes Jon Schyer 3/3/10

Grevis scores 41 against Virginia Tech in double OT win 3/1/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcOY8ujw69E

M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D

This season of Maryland basketball has to be the most exciting season I have been fortunate enough to witness and be a fan of in any sport. This even tops the Redskins season when we ran off 5 straight after Sean Taylor's passing to make the playoffs. We started off the season playing mediocre basketball but these past few weeks have been absolutely amazing. That Georgia Tech game when Cliff Tucker hit the game winner was so ridiculously sick. Then avenging our early season loss to Clemson. Followed by the DOUBLE OVERTIME game against Virginia Tech and of course the most recent victory against #4 Duke.

I was fortunate enough to watch 2 of those games with close friends which makes watching games that much more exciting. Last game we just all kept screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG????" especially that last shot Grevis made which more or less sealed the game putting us up by 4. I am extremely excited to watch us play in the ACC tournament and then the NCAA tournament.

So after the Duke game last night, all of us decided to go to Route 1 to see the riot. I still use my crutches as support so I didn't go to close. At one point, two cops with shields and sticks were walkin torwards the group of people I was around and everyone started running. I thought I was going to get beat so I started crutching for my life. Luckily the cops started walkin back so all the excitement was over nothing. Michael Wilbon talked about Maryland winning today on PTI and said the rioting is ridiculous and unnecessary and it happens far too often at Maryland. I think rioting can be fun and is ok to a certain degree but setting things on fire is way to extreme, 20 some kids got arrested and who knows how many got beaten and maced is completely unnecessary.

Once I got home from watching the game, I went online to ESPN hoping to see something exciting and seeing Maryland getting recognition on the homepage brought a smile to my face. LETS GOOOOOOOOO MARYLANDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Hooked on Ads?

I've never considered myself a person susceptible to advertisement but it does get to me on occasion. Most recently, Mcdonald's new chili sauce. I'm sure most of you have seen the commercial with the members of the Olympic indulging is this new amazing sauce. The sauce is decent but nothing amazing. It's not spicy at all but it is definitely sweet. I'd recommend Mcdonald 's fans to try it once before it goes away because its the Vancouver Olympics limited edition sweet chili sauce.


In other news, I've started to walk a little ( still using my crutches as support/stabilizers ) but it definitely feels good to be able to walk again. I'm medically cleared to drive now which is also good news. I also got my stitches taken out today which means I can finally shower normally. I've had to stick my leg out of the shower because my leg had to stay dry which isn't the easiest task. I've been doing a whole lot of things these past couple of weeks and I'm somewhat read to return to work on Monday. My doctor and physical therapist both say I'm progressing well and I believe I'm ahead of schedule.

Song of the moment:

David Archuleta - She's Not You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx6hUpabFUU