Duke (#4) is a big rival of UMD (#22). I have heard about the Duke Flukes from Mr. Howler for years. In fact, all sorts of hollering, yelling and cussing was going on in my house for the big game Wednesday night. When the Terps won 79-72, there was great joy here at Howler Acres. I feel certain most of you heard it from your houses.
In College Park, however, the big win celebration ended up in unruly revelling and rioting that might result in some expulsions from the University of Maryland. The AP picked up the story and some very embarrassing pictures. Most universities don’t take kindly to being made to look like a thug school. PG County police in riot gear and on horses tried to control a disorderly mob after the UMD win.
What a shame that joy has to be expressed by burning trash cans, cars and other things. Mob mentality is unacceptable. Most of the rioters are students although townies and some high school kids were in the mix, hoping to find a good party.
From Boston,com:
COLLEGE PARK, Md.—Police say they arrested 28 people when a rowdy celebration got out of hand after No. 22 Maryland beat No. 4 Duke in college basketball.
Police say those arrested face charges ranging from civil disturbance to destruction of property. Campus police say smaller groups there set a tree and trash cans ablaze.
Police say 23 of those arrested were students. One officer and four of those arrested had minor injuries.
Prince George’s County police Cpl. Larry Johnson says about 1,500 people poured onto a main road near Maryland’s campus after the Terrapins won 79-72 Wednesday night.
TV footage showed officers on horseback dispersing the crowd and police in riot gear patting down young men. Johnson says some threw snowballs and ice at police.
PG police arrested 28 and video tapes will be reviewed to identify other violators. Those found to be rioting face suspension or possibly expulsion from college. Alcohol was considered a major fact in this out of control behavior. Those who were present at the riots were interviewed on TV tonight. Naturally they were doing nothing and had to whine about ‘police brutality.’ Yawn.
The smart thing to do when mob mentality is ruling is to walk, very quickly, away in the other direction. A few hundred students have embarrassed their university, the alumni, and fellow students who cheered their team on and didn’t turn into cavemen over a much deserved win. Those rioting should be expelled.
