Republicans don't like the Terrapins

If you're lucky enough to have a ticket to the NCAA Tournament, consider rooting for the Maryland Terrapins. Why? For starters they beat Duke (which is always a plus) and second, they're one of the more exciting teams in the Tournament. However, Congress didn't think so, struggling to pass a fairly harmless resolution to congratulate the Terrapins - who's campus is near DC.

Are House Republicans rooting against the Terps in the Big Dance?

That's one possible interpretation of an odd saga that has unfolded on the House floor over the last 24 hours, culminating with a vote minutes ago on a resolution "Congratulating the 2009-2010 University of Maryland Men's Basketball Team, Greivis Vasquez, and Coach Gary Williams on an outstanding season." The measure passed, which seems normal enough, but with 132 members -- all but two of them Republicans -- voting against, which is not to normal for such routine symbolic bills.

You've got to be kidding me right? If they can't agree over a pat on the back, forget about healthcare. This country is screwed.

More proof that college basketball stinks

This is somewhat draw-dropping unless you really think about it. EA Sports will discontinue their NCAA Basketball video game franchise, meaning the sport will be without a video game for the first time in 12 years.

NCAA Basketball was left out of Electronic Arts' list of key releases in a financial filing on Monday. Today, in a statement to Game Informer, EA Sports' David Tinson confirmed that the publisher has ceased work on the series.

"We do not have an NCAA Basketball game in development at this time, and we're currently reviewing the future of our NCAA Basketball business," Tinson said to Game Informer. "This was a difficult decision, but we remain a committed partner to the NCAA and its member institutions."

In early 2008, 2K Sports pulled out of the college basketball market, leaving just EA Sports. It is highly unlikely that anyone else will jump back in, given the poor sales history, the inevitable competition with two other NBA basketball titles, and the cost of the license.

Dirty little secret (that ESPN will not tell you because they show quite a bit of college basketball) about CBB, ratings are dropping and have been dropping for some time now. Overall interest on a grand scale is down (except for Spokane, which orbits around Gonzaga) and you can definitely blame that on the players that leave after one year.

Why would you want to get a name that just has the players numbers, and these players are virtual unknowns anyways. Now 20 years ago? Players were around for 3-4 years and you knew who was on each team. Now? Admit it, you might be able to name 10 players in all of college basketball outside of the Gonzaga and Eastern Washington team.

Hey NCAA? You paying attention?

High School Sports Feature: 4A basketball 5th/8th place boys game

The game was only for 5th or 8th place in state, but Redmond High School and Lake Stevens High School fought as if the 4A State Championship was on the line.

For today's high school sports feature, both schools win the award for their amazing efforts in the this game.

It took double overtime to decide a winner.

Sean Stickney of Lake Stevens has been on fire this week at the tournament, and the Redmond Mustangs knew that. Despite Redmonds defense, Stickney posted his third double-double of the tournament when he scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

But Redmond's Chris Harrington was not to be outdone. After the game went into the first overtime, Harrington knocked down two freethrows as time expired to send the game into the second overtime.

During the second overtime Stickney fouled out and Redmond never looked back. They used Stickney being sent to the bench to post an 8-2 overtime period, which gave the Mustangs a 70-64 win, and the 5th place trophy. The Vikings of Lake Stevens were forced to settle for the 8th place trophy. But what a battle it was!

Harrington led all scorers with 34 on the day.