Game Preview
Marcus Camby has two goals tonight: lead Massachusetts to its first Final Four; avoid becoming a poster child for one of Allen Iverson's I-didn't-think-little-guys-could-do-that dunks.
The two aims may be inherently linked when top-seeded Massachusetts faces second-seeded Georgetown in the 6 p.m. NCAA East Regional final at the Georgia Dome.
The Minutemen (34-1) rely on the defensive presence of Camby, their 6-foot-11 All-America center and shot-blocker. The Hoyas (29-7) depend on the offensive fireworks of Iverson, their 6-foot All-America guard and acrobat.
They won't be guarding one another, but rest assured, they'll meet. Or perhaps collide is a better word, because Iverson's game is predicated on his headlong drives to the basket, which is where Camby will be waiting.
''It doesn't seem like he's 6-foot tall the way he gets up in the air,'' Camby said of Iverson. ''I know he can jump over me and dunk it, and I don't want to be anybody's poster child, so I'm going to try and block everything.''
Camby, the leading candidate for national Player of the Year, averages 3.8 blocks per game and is the fourth player in NCAA history to reach 300 blocks in his first three seasons. He is the primary reason the Minutemen are third nationally in field goal percentage defense at 38.5.
But don't think for a minute that Iverson will be deterred. He averages 25.1 points and has scored 30 or more in five of Georgetown's last nine games.
''It doesn't matter who's in there,'' Iverson said. ''I'm going to the hole anyway. I'm not going to change, even if there's two or three Marcus Cambys in there.''
And what about Carmelo Travieso, the UMass guard with a reputation for shutting down big-time scorers?
''I don't think anybody can play me one-on-one without handchecking me,'' Iverson said. ''That's just the way I am. I'm a very confident person.''
Confident enough to have attempted a Georgetown-record 29 shots in Thursday's semifinal victory against Texas Tech. Confident enough to keep shooting and driving when only 10 went in. Good enough to finish with a game-high 32 points, many coming in clutch situations.
''If I was on a team that just needed me to distribute the ball, that's what I'd do,'' Iverson said. ''Coach (John Thompson) gave me a role, and I accepted it. This team needs me to score.
''Before I came here, Coach Thompson told me he'd put the ball in my hands and let me play my style of basketball. He's been true to his word.''
Iverson has the Hoyas in their first regional final since 1989 and on the brink of their first Final Four since 1985. Camby has the Minutemen in their second consecutive East final and one game away from their first Final Four.
But both face daunting challenges besides one another. Camby must confront Georgetown's rugged front line players - Othella Harrington, Jahidi White, Ya-Ya Dia and company. Iverson must duel UMass guards Travieso and Edgar Padilla, composed veterans who will make him pay for any missteps.
The Hoyas undoubtedly will try to muscle the 220-pound Camby, much the way Oklahoma State and Big Country Reeves did in last year's East final, won by the Cowboys. Camby had just six points and four rebounds before fouling out, while Reeves dominated with 24 points and 10 boards.
''That game showed me what I needed to do to improve,'' Camby said. ''I can't forget about it because everybody brings it up.''
29 сен 2024
