Return Engagement, No Warm Reunion

Only One Thompson Coaching in Rematch

When Georgetown and Ball State agreed to a two-year, home-and-home men's basketball series last fall, it was a feel-good story: Coach John Thompson III and his highly ranked Hoyas would host the Cardinals, coached by younger brother Ronny, in 2006 and then make a return trip to Muncie, Ind., in 2007.

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But tonight's game between the teams will have a different subplot, because Ronny Thompson abruptly resigned amid controversy in July. The Star Press, Muncie's local newspaper, described the game as carrying "a curiosity factor like a car wreck you come across on the highway."

"I am approaching this game as I have approached, and will approach, every game: just trying to prepare our team, trying to put our team in situations where we get better," Thompson III said. "What went on with Ronny was not about basketball. We're going to play a basketball game."

Ball State Athletic Director Tom Collins refers to the matchup between the Hoyas (2-0) and the Cardinals (0-2) as "just a normal game," and that's the way that the players and coaches are trying to treat it.

But Ronny Thompson's 15-month tenure as coach and the circumstances surrounding his resignation clearly engendered bitterness on both sides, and that will be in the background of whatever happens tonight on the court.

In Thompson's only season at Ball State, his team set a school record with 22 losses, and he and his assistants were charged with secondary NCAA rules violations. In June, he said he found racially charged notes in his office and those of his assistants. In his resignation letter, he cited a "racially hostile work environment" as his reason for leaving.

In mid-September, the university director of public safety announced that the investigation into who was responsible for the racist notes was at an impasse. The school is conducting a "climate assessment" to determine whether the athletic department is a racially hostile work environment; that report is due next month.

Ronny Thompson's lawyer, Matthew Keiser, declined to comment for this story, saying that tonight's game is not connected to Ronny's situation. Thompson now works as a studio analyst on the Washington Wizards for Comcast SportsNet.

Both Thompson III and Collins said that there were no discussions about not playing the game. The contract between the schools called for a $100,000 cancellation fee. Fifth-ranked Georgetown will be the highest-ranked opponent that Ball State has faced at Worthen Arena.

"At the time [the home-and-home series was announced], it was, 'What an awesome opportunity for Ball State.' But as it stands right now, there are certain ill feelings between the Thompsons and the city of Muncie and Ball State University," said Steve Kern, a Ball State alumnus and prominent booster. "We're looking to get our butts kicked. I don't think they'll pull the mercy rule out on us."

Said Vinnie Lopes, a junior and the managing editor of the campus newspaper, the Daily News, "The talk around here is basically whether or not JTIII is going to continue to keep having the starters in if they're up by 50 with five minutes left. I don't think many people are expecting an upset."

On paper, the game appears to be a mismatch. Georgetown is experienced, deep and has great size. The Cardinals, meantime, have just nine players on their roster, after four players (including 6-foot-10 center Micah Rollins) were dismissed during the offseason. They have no players taller than 6-5. The Hoyas have three starters who stand at least 6-8, including 7-2 center Roy Hibbert.