Butler's Return to the Wizards Is Cause for Celebration

American fans see red, white and blue as they reach the NCAA tournament. "It's always Georgetown, Maryland, GW," Ronald "Boots" Nissenbaum said. "This is our moment." (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)
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"Our time," Wexler said. "Finally. Our time."

"Look at them," Nissenbaum's wife said. "Just look at them."

This is Jones's eighth year at American, coming to the Northwest Washington school when Virginia soured on him in 1998 despite five NCAA appearances in eight years. His Eagles had been close before, but could never close the deal until Friday when they scored the last seven points. "Even when things didn't look good, we didn't back off and kept our composure," Jones said.

When it was over, the nets came down, the AU students patted the players on the back and many of the alumni cried. No one wanted to leave.

The contrast between Bender Arena and Verizon Center -- scene of last Saturday's contest between Georgetown and Louisville for the Big East regular season title -- was dramatic. For openers, the 20,000-seat arena was full of Georgetown alums, many of whom star at primo D.C. law firms. Joining them were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, sports moguls Ted Leonsis and Mark Lerner, and Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.

Of course, John Thompson Jr. was there to work the game for Westwood One radio and cover his son, the coach. I asked Thompson how can he call John III's games? "I tell him the same stuff I say on the radio," Thompson replied. Patrick Ewing Sr. was there, too, cheering on his son, Patrick Jr. In a recent interview on Comcast SportsNet, the elder Ewing said "he never" tells his son what to do, but a few seconds later added, "I'm trying to get him to use all his ability and talent -- shooting and rebounding." Spoken like a true parent.

Georgetown won the game and title in a tense defensive struggle. Afterward, Louisville Coach Rick Pitino said of the Hoyas, "God bless 'em, they've been lucky," adding, "but they do it with class."

The excitement at Verizon Center was matched in Richmond as George Mason advanced to its second NCAA tournament in three years, winning the Colonial Athletic Association tournament, with Coach Jim Larranaga exclaiming after Monday night's victory over William & Mary, "March Madness is magical." Such euphoria was not shared by Gary Williams, whose 18-14 Terrapins lost six of their last eight and were bounced from the ACC tournament in the first round by Boston College. Virginia suffered a similar fate.

A Cruel Day on Ice

Mark Slebrch was waiting with his wife and son last Sunday for the Orange Line train from Metro Center to Virginia. Although living in the area for the past 30 years, Mark wore a Penguins jersey -- as did many fans in the crowd of 17,277 -- and was pumped with his team's 3-2 victory over the Capitals.

"Why the Pens sweater?" I asked.

"Grew up in Pittsburgh," Mark said. "I like the Caps' players but not their owner. Not since he [Leonsis] blocked out the sale of playoff tickets [in 2001 at Verizon Center] to the Pittsburgh area."

"You hold a grudge a long time," I noted.

"I do," he replied.

Nevertheless, the Pens fans, as well as the growing number of vocal Capitals fans, were hyped by the Alex Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby matchup, providing Verizon Center an energy for hockey rarely seen here since the Caps' Stanley Cup run 10 years ago. That Caps rookie Nicklas Backstrom inexplicably rammed the puck into his own net with 28 second remaining in the game, giving the Pens the winning goal, did not detract from the excitement.

"I don't know how it could happen," said Backstrom, 20, two days later. Leonsis, meanwhile, responded with a hug for Backstrom, adding, "The kid is going to win 100 games for me in his career."

Nice touch by Leonsis, who might have even softened Slebrch's views.

Have a comment or question? Reach me at talkback@washpost.com.