Davidson

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- --That had to be the most deceptive 12-point victory a No. 4 seed has ever pulled off against a No. 13 seed in NCAA tournament history. Deceptive because it never looked like a game Maryland or Davidson could win by double digits, and deceptive because the difference between Maryland and Davidson is far, far smaller than the gap in the seedings. So, after all the Davidson scoring spurts, the Maryland sloppiness, the Davidson lead that was at eight with 17 1/2 minutes to go and was at one with 10 minutes left, the crowd at HSBC Arena surging toward the underdogs trying to pull off the upset in the NCAA tournament's first game - why did Maryland end up pulling it out relatively comfortably?

A particularly irascible colleague of mine, upon learning that I was going to offer observations about CBS' first-day coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, assured me it would be the same, old stuff - that there undoubtedly would be examples of how the network would mess it up. I would never acknowledge this to him - and he probably won't know, because he's like family in that he doesn't read this column either - but he was right. Let's start with a rather basic question, asked musically by the Clash so many years ago: Should I stay or should I go?

Maryland vs. Davidson What / / NCAA tournament Midwest Regional, first round Site / / HSBC Arena, Buffalo, N.Y. Time / / 12:20 p.m. TV/Radio / / Chs. 13, 9/1300 AM, 105.7 FM Line / / Maryland by 7 The teams No. 4 seed Maryland / / 24-8; ACC tied for third (10-6); 22nd NCAA tournament appearance. No. 13 seed Davidson / / 29-4; Southern Conference champions (17-1), 15th NCAA tournament appearance. The frontcourts Maryland junior James Gist and senior Ekene Ibekwe have the size and athleticism to take control and block shots, but need to stay out of early foul trouble.

Stephen Curry grew up playing basketball in North Carolina, the heart of the Atlantic Coast Conference, where he was raised by NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry and trained with a longtime NBA strength and conditioning coach. He learned the game from his father, a first-round draft pick, and played pickup games with stars like Muggsy Bogues. None of it mattered. Because at 5 feet 9, 140 pounds in high school, the baby-faced Curry was a self-described "scrawny little short kid" - a lanky point guard who couldn't get the attention of major colleges, no matter who his father was. Virginia Tech - where his father was an All-American and his mother, Sonya, played volleyball - was the only major-conference school that showed interest, but the best Hokies coach Seth Greenberg could offer was a spot as a walk-on.

COLLEGE PARK -- Not that there was any doubt this year, but Maryland junior forward James Gist still considered it a "sigh of relief." For the past two seasons, Gist and his teammates have gathered in the players' lounge at Comcast Center to watch the NCAA tournament field revealed on the Selection Sunday show. For the first time in three years, Maryland's name appeared yesterday. The Terps (24-8) earned the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Regional and will face No. 13 seed Davidson (29-4)

On January 14, 2007, ELIZABETH B. KUTSNER (nee Davidson); devoted mother of Marlene Dietrich and the late Joseph F. Kutsner; loving grandmother of seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; dear sister of John Frederick Davidson. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the SCHIMUNEK FUNERAL HOME OF BEL AIR, INC., 9705 Belair Road (at Forge Road) on Tuesday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Clement's Catholic Church on Wednesday, at 11am. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery.

On December 3, 2006, JOANNA W. (nee Christian), beloved wife of Bernard Weigman, devoted mother of Ray Davidson and partner Rickey Helmick and Paul Davidson, step-mother of Michael, Benjamin and Martin Weigman, grandmother of 2, sister of William Christian. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Gonce Funeral Service P.A., 4001 Ritchie Hwy, on Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. where services will be held on Tuesday at 11 A.M. Interment Lorraine Park Cemetery.

Nancy Davidson says the deal Macy's offered for a couple of blouses recently was hardly worth her peace of mind. On a recent shopping excursion to the Harford Mall, the 68-year-old Forest Hill resident was lured by a 10 percent discount on her $30 purchase if she opened a Macy's credit-card account. All she had to do was part with some personal information. She provided her name, address, date of birth and data on her driver's license. But when the sales clerk asked for her Social Security number, the retired secretary immediately balked.

On September 27, 2006, MARY J. (nee Battaglia); beloved wife of Harry E. Davidson; devoted mother of Thomas Davidson and Michelle Heckman; devoted sister of Theresa Seibert; devoted niece of Josephine Bottom; devoted grandmother of Zachary, Emily, Alysha, Jesse, Carly and Gabrielle; devoted mother-in-law of Don Heckman and Jodi Davidson. A Christian Wake Service will be held at the Lassahn Funeral Home, Inc., 7401 Belair Road, on Sunday at 3:30 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Michael's Church (Overlea)

The Harley-Davidson Reader Edited by Michael Dregni Motorbooks, an imprint of MBI Publishing Co. / 348 pages / $24.95 Harley-Davidson owners know they've got a lot more riding on their bikes than their fannies. Powered by a reputation that encompasses a passel of American virtues including patriotism, personal freedom and social rebellion, the Motor Company, as it's also known, delivers a distinctive, celebrated motorcycle. At the heart of its appeal are lifestyle and attitude. From its authorized apparel shops that will never bear the scent of 90-weight gear oil, to its freshly polished dealerships, Harley-Davidson has reaped a brand loyalty best illustrated by the vast mosaic of bodies on which its trademark is tattooed.