NCAA Tournament
With Kevin Grevey
Former NBA player and Grevey Sports Bar owner
Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2001; 1 p.m. EST

For the first time in its history, the University of Maryland is competing for the national championship in men's basketball. The Terrapins' 2001 trip to the Final Four comes after a season of ups and downs, from a heartbreaking, last second loss to Duke to a later triumph over the Blue Devils; from a December victory in the local BB&T Classic to a disappointing February loss to lowly Florida State at home.

The Terrapins started the season highly ranked, as they often do, but only true believers were predicting a post season this time. Teams of the past which were hyped as Final Four potentials found themselves watching the big game at home.

But the 2000-2001 Terrapins have cruised into the NCAA's most elite group, after wins over local rivals George Mason and Georgia State, as well as Georgetown and Stanford. Now Maryland faces Duke, and if the Terps can get past their ACC rival, would then play the winner of the Michigan State-Arizona game for the title.

Kevin Grevey, former NBA player and sports radio commentator is online to talk about the Final Four game this weekend. He is also the owner of Grevey's Restaurant and Sports Bar in Falls Church, Virginia. Grevey also is a television and radio Color Analyst for Home Team Sports and CBS radio.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

McLean, Va.: Kevin,

What, in your opinion, was the greatest upset so far in the NCAA Tournament?

Kevin Grevey: When Kentucky got beat by USC, I thought Kentucky was playing the best they've played all season long. And I was taken back and surprised by USC's talent. I didn't expect them to be that good.

washingtonpost.com: Who do you like to win it all and why?

Kevin Grevey: Maybe I'm speaking from my heart, but I think Maryland will beat Duke. I did the Arizona games in the Mideast Regional for CBS radio and I got a good look at Arizona and I think they are going to beat Michigan State. We would have Arizona and Maryland in the final and then I think we will have a very high scoring game. I think both teams like to run and they are similar in talent.

Washington, DC: Do you think the 3 point shot is a positive or negative in the college game and why?

Kevin Grevey: I think it's a positive; I think it's just a number dimension that a team can exploit. I think that the college teams that have recruited good outside shooters are the ones that are enjoying the most success on a consistent basis. For example, Duke averages 11 3-point shots per game. And they are the most successful with 3-point shots.

Washington, D.C.: Do you still think about the 1978 World Championship team?

Seems you caught fire at the right time, similar to the Terps.

Kevin Grevey: Yes, the Washington Bullet team of 1978-79 brings back great memories for me. We did turn it on during the playoffs.

Seattle, Washington: Kevin- I am a lifelong Bullets Wizards fan. I used to love to watch you play for the Bullets. Are you still a fan of the Wizards? Do you think they will ever not stink?

Kevin Grevey: It will be a couple of years before they begin to smell good again. And I do follow them very closely. Coach Leonard Hamilton was my assistant coach at the University of Kentucky. So I know his commitment to turn things around. Jordan is on the right track -- unloading overpriced elderly veterans players is the best thing Jordan could have done. This should make room for salaries in the future.

Great Falls, Virginia: If you could make any change in the NBA, what would it be and why?

Kevin Grevey: As an owner, I would find a way to bring salaries back down. As a commissioner, I would like to see less physical play. As a coach, I would want to see more team oriented players and not entertainers. As a player, I would like to see better sportsmanship.

Falls Church, Va.: Kevin, you participated in the final four yourself. What was your most memorable moment?

Kevin Grevey: I guess the most memorable moment at that point was when it was all over flying back to Lexington, Kentucky on the plane and reflecting on what just had happened. My dream as a young boy was to play in a NCAA championship game and I had just done that. I really felt that I completed a mission -- get to a championship game, play with the best players, and to have a chance to display my talents so I could get drafted to play in the NBA. And after scoring 34 points against UCLA in that championship game, I knew my basketball career was not over.

washingtonpost.com: You ever think about coaching? Or management on the NBA level?

Kevin Grevey: I think of it often especially when I have bad days in the restaurant business. I have many friends who are in the NBA business and I look forward to involving myself at some point into professional basketball again. But I'm not done doing the job here at Grevey's.

Germantown, Md.: Trivia Question for Mr. Grevey. The three point shot has become a critical component to both the Maryland and Duke offensive schemes. the question is: Who sank the first three point shot in NBA history?

Answer: Kevin Grevey.

Kevin Grevey: That is in dispute. I and Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics, on the same night on the first game of the 1982 season, hit a three point shot around the same time. It happened around the same time and Steve Hershey of the Washington Stars said mine's was first.

washingtonpost.com: Do you follow the women's tournament? If so, any thoughts on who looks like the team to beat?

Kevin Grevey: I've been so busy working the NCAA Men's tournament, I haven't really had a chance to follow the women.

Fairfax, Va.: Kevin,
Your nephew, Ryan Hogan, at Iowa, suffered a season ending knee injury. Can you comment on his condition?

Kevin Grevey: He is going to have surgery a week from Thursday. Depending on his rehab, he'll make the decision of whether he will play next year.

Augusta, Maine: We all know Maryland can play with Duke because they both have the personnel to play run and gun and defense--but what about a potential game against a big physical team like Arizona or Michigan State that plays more half court low tempo?

Kevin Grevey: Arizona is like Maryland -- they want to run. That would be a game more suitable if Maryland were to win. Michigan State does want to slow things down and they are very powerful and a returning NCAA champs. I think Maryland would have more trouble with them. Also Michigan State would give Maryland trouble in rebounding. I think Maryland will have problems with Michigan State's power.

Woodbridge, Va.: Who was your toughest player you played, in the NBA and or the best? Thanks, Scotty.

Kevin Grevey: That would have to be several -- I couldn't name one. Dr. J, George Gervin (Ice Man) and Magic Johnson.

Tucson, Arizona: Obviously, from my location you can tell I am a Wildcat fan!! What do you see as the keys match-ups in the semi-finals for Maryland and the UA to meet in the final? Any comment on Michigan trying to claim they don't get any respect, so they can fire up their players?

Kevin Grevey: There is enough reason being fired up just being in the Final Four.

Washington, D.C.: Kevin,
Every year you host the best charity celebrity tournament in the area. What are the particulars for this year's event?

Kevin Grevey: The tournament is June 25th at Chantilly Country Club. We have celebrities from various sports team around the country. To register, you have to come to Grevey's Restaurant. It's $150 per person to play. All proceeds go to Fairfax County public school system.

washingtonpost.com: Do you think the NCAA field should be expanded, or is 65 teams about right? Why not give everybody a shot?

Kevin Grevey: I think that it's just perfect. And if you expand the field further, you diminish the importance of the regular season games.

Germantown, Md.: Kevin,
Maryland is obviously enjoying a tremendous season. What, in your opinion, does that professional team in Washington, previously known as the Bullets, need to do to achieve similar success?

Kevin Grevey: The foundation is in place with new ownership and a new coach. And the elimination of the high salaries. Hopefully Michael Jordan and his lieutenants will scout the proper talent and not make the same mistakes Wes Unseld made: bad drafts bad trades.

Fairfax, VA: What do you like most about the San Antonio Spurs, and how are their chances of another World Championship.

Kevin Grevey: I love their chances. As long as they stay healthy and if they can finish with the home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they have to be considered favorites.

washingtonpost.com: Do you keep in touch with the 78-79 Bullets?

Kevin Grevey: Yes, we had a reunion, our 20 year anniversary, a couple of years ago. Everybody came back to Washington. We had a great time visiting with all of our families. Just recently, Commissioner David Stern of the NBA, recognized our championship team at the All Star Game. We had another opportunity to be together at the All Star game. I thought it was the better of the All Star games I've seen -- very exciting and a great comeback from the Eastern conference.

Falls Church, VA: Kevin:

Why is it that Steve Blake gives Jason Williams a hard time?

Kevin Grevey: Steven Blake is a very smart defender and he has a grasp of Jason Williams favorite moves and utilizes his teammates very smartly. Most importantly, he takes away Jason Williams' penetration to the basket.

Falls Church Va: Great career, great bar. In their primes, who would you most want on your team - Bobby D or the Big E? And was their a smoother Jump Shooter than Phil Chenier?

Kevin Grevey: Refuse to choose between Elvin and Bobby. I love them both the same. And you're correct: Phil Chenier had as a pure a jump shot as anybody I've ever seen.

Old Town Alexandria: Kevin-

Which team that got into the tournament do you think was least deserving?

Which team that got left out do you think should have gotten in??

Thanks!!

Kevin Grevey: I think all the teams that got in deserved it. Maybe Georgia created some questions about whether they belonged or not with 14 losses. It was a bit of a stretch. And the time that I think was the 66th best team that should have been in was Richmond.

Arlington VA: Being an HTS commentator what do you think of Richmond's move to the A-10?

Kevin Grevey: I think it's a good thing for Richmond. However I feel it's a bad thing for the CAA. They'll be hard to replace.

Kevin Grevey: I'm going to miss doing Richmond Spiders basketball game as a Color Analyst. I've enjoyed their program and the people associated with it.

washingtonpost.com: There has been a lot of talk about the Pac 10's run in the NCAAs. Which confenece do you think is the best? And which is the most balanced?

Kevin Grevey: I think that the Big Ten is the most balanced. They had seven teams get into the NCAA tournament this year. And Penn State, the seventh team, got to the Sweet 16. I think that the Pac 10 has the most talent. They had 3 teams in the Final 8.

Beltsville, Maryland: What do think about the Bryant/O'Neal situation? How do you think Kupchak will handle those two egos and is there any hope for a league were everyone wants to be Michael but no one wants to be Scottie?

Kevin Grevey: I think Phil Jackson should be handling this situation not Mitch Kupchak. I think maturity needs to set into the Lakers organization. They need more focus.

Buffalo Native: What are your ties to Western New York? Did you grow up there? Just wondering as Grevey's is a magnet for Bills fans! (Yes, lots of us still exist!)

Kevin Grevey: Grevey's restaurant hosts Bills watch parties every Sunday for the past 14 years. I love those Bills!

Great Falls, va: Kevin,

Am I seeing the return of the old hook shot by the big man. I've seen the 1970's hook shot a couple of times from college players in the last month. Looks good to me!

Kevin Grevey: I don't think enough big men work on low post moves. I think every post player should develop a hook shot with either hand. I haven't seen enough of that in the last ten years.

Fairfax, Va: The real reason the 'Wizards' stink is because they are cursed never to win again until they change the name back to the 'Bullets' - any thoughts?

Kevin Grevey: I don't know about cursed but any player that has ever played for the Washington Bullets feel awful about the new name Wizards. I don't think it was necessary.

Woodsfield, Ohio: Kevin,

Just for the record, you'll always be one of the Buckeye State's all time best roundballers. Question.......Did you play against Bobby Knight-coached teams and do you think Texas Tech. is a good move for Coach Knight?

Kevin Grevey: Thanks Buckeye fan for remembering me. I'm from Hamilton, Ohio and Bobby Knight did recruit me and I did play against him. Our most memorable battle was when Kentucky beat Indiana 92-90 in the 1975 Mideast Regional finals.

Yes, I think Texas Tech is a good move. He needs to get away from Indiana as far as possible. I think he'll do his magic in Texas just fine.

washingtonpost.com: What do make of all the coaching changes in college basketball? This can't be good for the game.

Kevin Grevey: I think it is somewhat selfish of coaches today always looking for greener pasture at the expense of the players they are coaching. I wish they would be honest when they recruit these high school kids and tell them the real truth --not what they want to hear.

Kevin Grevey: I don't think Gary Williams is going anywhere.

Vienna, Va.: Do you think Gary Williams will leave the Terps and go coach out west?

Kevin Grevey: (answer above)

washingtonpost.com: Correction: Grevey's last response was in regards to Gary Williams leaving the Terps from the questioner from Vienna, Va. His response is that he doesn't think Gary Williams is going anywhere and will be staying with Maryland.

Kevin Grevey: Thank you for your questions and I appreciate everyone's memories. If anybody wants to come to watch the Final Four at Grevey's please identify yourself as someone who was part of the online discussion and I'll be glad to talk with you then.

washingtonpost.com:

That was our last question today. Thanks to Kevin Grevey, and to everyone who joined us.

Stay tuned on Live Online:
Joel Achenbach at 2 p.m. EST
Ken Baker at 2 p.m. EST
Supermodel Rachel Hunter at 3:30 p.m. EST

Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters.

washingtonpost.com:

That was our last question today. Thanks to Kevin Grevey, and to everyone who joined us.

Stay tuned on Live Online:
Joel Achenbach at 2 p.m. EST
Ken Baker at 2 p.m. EST
Supermodel Rachel Hunter at 3:30 p.m. EST

Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters.

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