Something to Look Forward To

It’s been five months since the NCAA season ended; five long months punctuated by some pretty dismal professional basketball in our nation’s capital. Through it all, the BCs reminded ourselves that we have the Terps’ 2012-13 season to look forward to. But amidst storms, fallen trees, humidity, and triple-digit heat, that seemed like the distant future. But now, that future seems much more real, as today, Maryland released its new 2012-13 schedule . . . finally.

So now we have some real dates and some real games to look forward to, starting with exhibition games at the end of next month. Not that long to wait at all.

The big news this season, of course, is the expanded ACC schedule, with teams playing 18 Conference games, up from 16. This means the Terps will start ACC play in early December with a game at Comcast Center against UVA, while still in the midst of their non-Conference schedule. Fans already know the other “big” news, of course – a road game against UConn in Hartford on December 3rd, plus the back end of a home-and-home against the Blue Hens at Delaware on December 20th. That game will be another chance to see Elena Delle Donne play college ball before she graduates and turns pro . . . perhaps playing for the Mystics. (And who knows, maybe Vice President Biden will stop by to catch all the action.)

All that is still in the future (though not so distant). In the “now,” the BCs have tomorrow (Friday) night to look forward to. In fact, we’ve had one Mystics game circled on our calendars since the WNBA schedule came out . . . the LA Sparks’ only appearance at the Phone Booth this summer. The Sparks are an exciting team packed with many players the BCs look forward to seeing play in person. (WNBA Live Access is great, but just not the same as truly live action.)

First among them, of course, is Kristi Toliver, who just happens to be the reigning WNBA Player of the Month! Kristi has been shooting the lights out this season (hardly a surprise to Maryland fans). Three other Sparks should also be familiar to fans in the Phone Booth: Marissa Coleman, Alana Beard, and DeLisha Milton-Jones. All three will square off against their former team tomorrow night.

We’re really looking forward to seeing all of them play, but we’re particularly looking forward to Alana’s return . . . we haven’t seen her in anything but street clothes on the bench -- sidelined by injuries -- for two full years. Alana may be a Dukie, but she’s still a warrior and we’re so happy that she’s finally able to play again (and that she’s been playing so well lately). (In case you missed it, Mechelle Voepel posted a great story about AB earlier this week, here.) Of course, the Sparks’ roster also includes Olympic Gold Medalist Candace Parker, and the likely WNBA Rookie of the Year, Nneka Ogwumike. In other words, quite a lot to look forward to at tomorrow’s Mystics game.

But if that’s not enough, it was announced that tomorrow the Mystics will be honoring the 2012 ACC Champions . . . the Maryland Terrapins! So Coach B & Co. will be in the house . . . and probably on the court at halftime.

The Mystics may be lottery-bound (poor Lang, we feel for her). And the Sparks have already locked up a playoff spot. But the game should still be lots of fun. There will be plenty of Terps in the house, past and present (and who knows, maybe future).

We’re really looking forward to that!