Yes, I was in Clearwater earlier today to do some pregame stuff on the Orioles, but when that driving rain started to fall and the outlook seemed bleak for getting the game against the Phillies started, I bolted and returned to Sarasota to watch the Terps play Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Of course, the rain ended and my colleague Dan Connolly was left holding the bag at Bright House Field. I'm so ashamed.
Not sure I made the right decision. It was a terrific game and it was a heartstopping finish, but it's going to take Gary Williams and the Terps awhile to get over that 3-point buzzer beater. They had staged one of the great NCAA tournament comebacks to take the lead twice in the final minute, and I've got to think a victory would have taken them at least into the Elite Eight.
No disrespect to Northern Iowa, but they probably had their moment in the Madness. I doubt Michigan State will have much trouble with them.
The Spartans fired the three with abandon all day and made so many of them that the game really shouldn't have been close at the end. The ball bounced their way at several critical moments, but that's part of the game. My favorite frustrating moment was late in the second half when the Terps forced a five-second inbound turnover and then disrupted the inbound on Michigan State's next inbound under the basket, only to see their deficit rise five points in the process.
Their comeback, however, was heartstopping and Grevies Vasquez went out with a terrific closing flourish, not that he feels too great about it right now.