The stockings are hung in lockers, the training tables trimmed with all manner of liniments, the uniforms pressed with care. For Futile Superfans, tonight's a holiday eve.
We'll begin opening our presents at noon when Tony Shaver's Wrens head to Richmond to open their CAA schedule against VCU. W&M heads into the game with a 3-4 record, a dreadful turnover percentage, and a questionable ability to put the ball in the basket. Shaka Smart's Rams have beaten UCLA and Wake Forest (not that this means anything - here's winking at you, kid) and nearly toppled Tennessee. VCU's also coming off an overtime loss to South Florida that likely still rankles. Add to the mix the Tribe's 2009 conference-season-opening win over VCU, and we've got the makings of an unpleasant early afternoon for the good guys. MGL thinks the Rams win by 20, and we're not creative enough to come up with a better answer.
But the hoops game is merely the stocking stuffer; we get to open the big box gifts at 1:30 when the second-seeded Tribe hosts Georgia Southern in college football's most important championship tournament. W&M rose to the nation's top spot earlier this season before stumbling against James Madison, but Jimmye Laycock's boys still won Division 1-AA's* most difficult conference. Both W&M and GSA boast stout defenses, ranking 5th and 11th respectively in scoring defense. Both teams nearly beat D-1 opponents, with the Tribe narrowly losing to North Carolina and the Eagles falling by 6 to Navy. W&M's won 19 straight against 1-AA opponents, and 11 in a row in the cozy confines of Zable Stadium. We'd tell you more, but we're up against a deadline.
* - yes, we know
Oh, and did I mention that I'll be watching my daughters dance in the Nutcracker (twice!) instead of viewing either of the abovementioned contests. Merry Fucking Wrenmas to you, too.
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