With so many successful college basketball programs in the mid-Atlantic, it’s remarkable how they essentially exist in separate worlds.
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At least the Commonwealth of Virginia is taking a step toward breaking down the castes with the announcement of the Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic.
According to the [Hampton Roads] Daily Press, Wednesday will see the unveiling of a 2012 doubleheader of Richmond vs. George Mason and Old Dominion against Virginia, and a 2013 version with James Madison-Hampton and Virginia Tech-VCU. Both will take place at the Richmond Coliseum.
The Patriots and Spiders haven’t played since 2001. Virginia and ODU haven’t had a regular season contest since 1995, and the Hokies and Rams haven’t met since 1995.
The timing is good for Richmond, George Mason and VCU, in light of their recent NCAA tournament success. But local rivalries matter, and in a college basketball season where the regular season means less and less, games like these are welcome.
