The D.C. area was well-represented last year in the men’s NCAA basketball tourney, with all three Georges winning at least one game, and of course, George Mason making an improbable run to the Final Four. However, the area women were no slouches either, as Maryland grew into a powerhouse, winning the national title, and perennial tourney team George Washington, who’ve made the tourney in 13 of the last 16 years, reached the second round.

This year, Brenda Frese’s Terps are picked number 1 by most publications, and Joe McKeown’s Colonials made the Street and Smith’s preseason top 25. Maryland returns an amazing top 8 scorers from their championship team, five of whom scored more than 10 points a game last year, including preseason All-American Crystal Langhorne and Final Four MVP Laura Harper. And except for all-conference forward Jessica Simmonds, GW returns most of their top players, including the Adair twins from Anacostia, Jazmine and Jessica. The two teams face each other on Nov. 19th in College Park and Mason heads up the Green line Nov. 11th.

The season starts in November, but the first time teams are allowed to practice is midnight this Friday, which means Midnight Madness. Georgetown, Maryland and Mason are all having Midnight Madness events on Friday, but GW cancelled theirs and Howard and American’s sites don’t mention anything. Sorry Colonials, Bison, and Eagles fans.

As for the other area teams’ fortunes, Georgetown, Mason, Howard and American all look to finish in the middle of the pack in their conferences. Georgetown lost their top two scorers and plays in a good Big East conference, though wins over powerhouse Rutgers would help, and Mason, Howard and American will probably need to win their conference tourneys to make the Big Dance.

Photo of kids playing ball by Flickr user goldeneye