It's Raining Threes (And Beer)

Last night you saw how lethal Villanova's lineup can be with four quality 3-point shooters on the floor together. The Wildcats got hot from long-range early and never let up en route to a 95-86 win over the Maryland Terrapins. Nova attempted a school record 39 3-pointers and made 16 of them. Corey Stokes, Corey Fisher, Scottie Reynolds, and Taylor King all hit at least three longballs. Stokes led the way hitting 5 of 11 from downtown for his 18 points. Fisher was the most accurate from behind the arc, making 4 of 6 for 20 points. King shot a low percentage from the field (5-17, 3-8 3pt), but had 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Scottie Reynolds had that look early in the game. The same look he had against UConn in 2007 and Seton Hall in 2009 when he dropped 40. He didn't score 40 against Maryland, but he was draining shots and finding open teammates all game long to finish with 25 points and 8 assists. Maryland's version of Scottie Reynolds, Greivis Vasquez, did not fare as well. He had 12 points, 7 turnovers, and fouled out.

When you shoot so many threes, you need someone down low to clean the glass, and Antonio Pena did just that. He had 6 offensive rebounds and 11 total, to go along with his 8 points. Maurice Sutton contributed 4 of the teams 20 offensive boards. Villanova as a team out-rebounded Maryland 42-30.

Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns combined for 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench. The more I see Cheek play, the more I realize he will be really really good. He can start for most teams in the country right now, but I think he will benefit from watching the upperclassmen and being brought along gradually.

Despite Nova's dominance on the boards and their prowess from behind the arc, Maryland was able to keep the game close, thanks to some hot shooting of their own. Sean Mosley was 11-14 from the field to score 26 points and Eric Hayes hit five 3-pointers for 20 points. Nova also had difficulty containing Mayland's big man Jordan Williams (19 points and 12 rebounds), sending him to the line 13 times.

The turning point in the game came on a controversial call in the second half when Corey Stokes drew a charge under the basket. The Maryland crowd was hoping for a blocking foul and-1 call, and upon hearing it was a charge, one fan threw a bottle of Miller Lite onto the floor. Luckily, it didn't hit anyone and it was only plastic, but they had to delay the game to clean up the floor. The beer-throwing fan was later caught and ejected. This begs the question: Who was that mysterious fan, and why does he hate Miller Lite so much? Nova News is on the case and has compiled a list of possible suspects.

Suspect A: Steve Blake - He has probably been exchanging trash talk with Blazers teammate Dante Cunningham all week in anticipation of this game. Perhaps they made some kind of wager, and upon realizing he was going to lose, Blake grew frustrated and threw his beer onto the court.
Verdict: Former players typically sit behind the team's bench, but the bottle came from higher up in the stands, so it couldn't have been Blake.

Suspect B: President Obama - He lives in D.C. We know he's a basketball fan. He has enjoyed an adult beverage at the Verizon Center before.
Verdict: The President would have been sitting courtside, and come on... you know he would be rooting for Nova.

Suspect C: Tiger Woods' Washington D.C. mistress - He seemingly has one in every major city, and I'm guessing his D.C. mistress is a former Terp cheerleader. All the recent press allegations, coupled with her Alma mater losing; she likely lost her cool and flung her beer onto the floor.
Verdict: Girls can't throw that far, especially cheerleaders.

Suspect D: Scott Van Pelt - This Sportscenter anchor graduated from Marlyland, and he isn't afraid to show bias towards his school.
Verdict: Van Pelt is too much of a company man to attend a game not being broadcast by ESPN.

Suspect E: Kasey Kahne - He is the driver of the Budweiser NASCAR team. It had nothing to do with the charge call. Upon taking a sip of Miller Lite, he simply threw the bottle onto the court in protest of the taste.
Verdict: Why would a NASCAR driver be at a college basketball game?

Suspect F: Raphael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - He is a turtle, so naturally his allegiance lies with the Terrapins. He wears Maryland red. He is the most aggressive, rebellious, and emotional Ninja Turtle.
Verdict: I can't find any discrepancies, it all adds up. It had to be Raphael.

Well there you have it. Raphael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle threw a Miller Lite bottle onto the floor in the middle of the Villanova-Maryland game. Touche sir, I hope it was worth it. At least Leonardo roots for Nova.