At the Maggie Dixon Classic, the results weren't unexpected -- though the games, and final scores, were closer than one might have thought.

Tennessee used Shekinna Stricklen's 19 points to out score Rutgers. The final was 68-54, but RU was within a point in the second half before pfffffttttt.... all the air escaped.

#6 Baylor defeated BC, 68-55. Griner got 25 and a dink.

Graham was at the game and did not come to visit (though I'm SURE he heard me). Sigh. Instead, he was working or some such thing, putting together a couple of pieces:

Following in Maggie's footsteps: Like Dixon before her, Boston College coach Crawley carries on legacy

The stage directions seemed to call for anonymity. Stand inside arguably the world's most famous basketball arena, and share the sideline with two Hall of Fame coaches and another who owns one of the two national titles since 2002 not claimed by Geno Auriemma or Pat Summitt and coaches freshman phenomenon Brittney Griner.

But at 6 feet, 6 inches, it's not easy for Sylvia Crawley to do anonymous. Dressed in brilliantly white pants and a matching vest Sunday in Madison Square Garden, Boston College's second-year coach didn't even try. And while Crawley's team lost to No. 6 Baylor 68-55, her role in the Maggie Dixon Classic was in some ways as symbolically prominent as those played by legendary peers like Summitt, C. Vivian Stringer and Kim Mulkey.

And Griner not only rookie making impact for Baylor

Playing 25 minutes off the bench, Baylor freshman Jordan Madden chipped in nine points, two rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot.

In one sequence in the first half, she drained a spot-up 3-pointer off a feed from Griner on the block, missed a back screen on the defensive end that allowed Carolyn Swords to score an easy bucket and then scored at the other end on the ensuing offensive possession. It's trial and error; you give a little playing as many freshmen as Mulkey does, with Griner, Madden, Shanay Washington and Kimetria Hayden earning minutes.

But you may also get a lot.

Some of "points of interest" during the game:

• Lib players Loree Moore (TN connection), Kym Hampton (gotta be there, connection) and Sue Wicks (RU connection) were in the house. Helen: "Looking pretty good for a former player." Sue: (with a smile) "I not a former anything. I'm a current coach."
  
  

• Lib coach Anne Donovan was there...and got a nice hand. And, I know it was the angle of the camera and the distortion of the screen, but her hands looked HUGE! Tried to get her to cough up the Lib pick, but she resisted. (And I must say, she's got a really, really soft leather jacket.)
  
  
• Blaze was interviewed and didn't get booed. Who says New Yorkers aren't polite.
  
  

• There was the obligatory fan "ref outrage." But I take pleasure in having made Dee Kantner giggle. And I'm sending a "shout out" to RU/Lib fan extraordinaire who has stopped being "part of the problem" and working to being "part of the solution." Brave soul is reffing high school ball. Yikes!
  
  

• Props to the RU fans who represented, the orange fans who dressed to impress and the two women from Baylor I met who joined a group of 70 or so who traveled from Waco. They were off to Tavern on the Green post-game. Which I thought was bankrupt. Sure hope they didn't get scammed. Didn't manage to buttonhole any BC fans.
  
  

• I miss jump balls. And the college game needs a 10-second backcourt violation.
  
  

• Fans were treated to classic CViv (Hip cocked, head back, "Really?") and Pat (Announcer: "Time out TN." Fans: "Ooooh, oooh, don't look at her *TN player who screwed up*! Whatever you do, avoid the STARE of DEATH!"
  
  
• It was really wonderful having a basketball event my fellow Liberty-subscriber friends could reunite for. Gives us a little fix until the season starts. (Other W teams take note.)
  
  

• Everyone should make and effort to, at least once in their basketball fandom life, get seats as close to courtside as possible. If only to hear a BC player say, "D-up, damn it!" *shocked, I tell you. I'm shocked!* And to get a real feel for how physical this game is. And how many hands there seem to be. There are times I have no idea how anyone manages to pass the ball to anyone.
  
  

• Glad Graham mentioned Crawley's retro Saturday Night/John Travolta duds. We were positing that she was going out clubbing afterwards with the handsome gent on the TN bench wearing (I swear to you) a black velvet suit. Sweet!
  
  

• Can anyone watch the "Maggie/cadets rush the floor and toss her on their shoulders" video and not get weepy? It made me weep before her life took such a tragic turn. So I appreciate that, every year the Classic has happened, all those involved have put together simple, moving, and classy presentations honoring coach Dixon. Thank you for that.
  
  

• Until next year!