The two local coaches, Maryland's Gary Williams and George Washington's Tom Penders, can hang around pleased for a couple of days. In turn, that non-profit organization helps finance public and private programs for children in need in the D.C. area. Williams said it's nice for players to give back, to feel as if they've done something to help improve someone's life. However, there is only so much room for touchy-feely stories on the court.
College basketball has no place for wishy-washy evaluation.
Coaches don't wear rose-colored eyeglasses, not in December. Nor should they. It's a time for honest criticism. Jarvis salvaged the trip from New York with a third-place finish after losing to George Washington in the tournament opener on Saturday, a game that undoubtedly pleased the GW players Jarvis recruited and used to coach until he took the St. John's job after the 1998 season. St. John's needed a late 23-11 run to secure a victory over very average Michigan.