Area teams have chances at March tourney

It’s still two months until the college basketball season hits its climax. And locally, there are a handful of teams that have legitimate shots at a spot in the NCAA Tournament in March.

Maryland: Gary Williams’ club has lost five times, but all of them coming against quality opponents. However, the Terps will probably have to go 9-7 or 10-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for a solid feeling on Selection Sunday.

James Madison: It’s been an inconsistent 2009-10 campaign for the Dukes. On four occasions, they’ve lost two in a row. Only once, have they stringed together a win streak of more than one.

Old Dominion: A three-game drought in late November was tempered by a win on the road at Georgetown on Dec. 19. What has kept them up in the standings has been a team that’s 10-0 at home and a defense that’s allowed just 55.8 points per game.

William & Mary: Could it be that the Tribe are the best team in Virginia? With a quality non-conference performance, they can certainly make a case. William & Mary — 14-3 overall — have taken down both Wake Forest and Maryland on the road. And a 6-1 start to the Colonial Athletic Conference season proves this team is no fluke.

Georgetown: Possibly the best team in the local area, the Hoyas impressed with a comeback victory over Connecticut as well as a top-notch shooting effort to beat Seton Hall by double digits. But more recently, Georgetown was edged late by No. 4 Villanova in Philly.

Virginia: The Cavs are the biggest eyebrow-raiser in the ACC. Winners of eight straight, and 3-0 in league play, Virginia and new head coach Tony Bennett is led by Sylven Landesberg – who saved the Hoos from defeat with a 15-footer to beat UNC-Wilmington on Monday evening.

Virginia Tech: Losses to North Carolina and Florida State have somewhat quelled the excitement from the Hokies’ 11-1 start. Top scorer Malcolm Delaney should be fully healthy for the stretch run after suffering a wrist injury a few weeks back.

VCU: Tournament participants last year, the Rams are sitting just outside the mad scramble at the top of the CAA. Eric Maynor is gone, but Larry Sanders averages 15.3 points and more than eight boards.

George Mason: The Patriots have won more often than not. But sometimes, they’ve won ugly. That was the case in a three-point victory over Georgia State, one in which GMU shot just 39 percent from the field and 44 percent from the free throw line. Nevertheless, Mason sits 6-1 in the conference.

Brian Wright is a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.