Davids and Goliaths all fight to win

BUFFALO – This is the story of David and Goliath, with a twist.

Goliath is a college… BUFFALO – This is the story of David and Goliath, with a twist.

Goliath is a college basketball heavyweight, crowned national champion once before. David is a pebble-throwing mid-major with dancing shoes on.

The two inhabit different regions, seeking different fights, winning different battles. The climates are different where these predators hunt, and it takes an unusual carrier to displace one.

But sometimes the winds blow strong enough to lift the Davids to a different playground, where the big boys play and the antelopes never roam.

The showdown between David and Goliath manifests itself every so often in different realms of society. But nowhere does it captivate millions like the NCAA Tournament.

Goliath only answers David’s call when the court glimmers just a little bit brighter, the media buzzes a little bit louder. But when David is dropped in an unfamiliar area, the predators sense the fear. Goliath is hunting his next victim.

Not only is Goliath stalking his prey, the media is a Prince in his quest to find the foot that fits his coveted crystal slipper. It’s a weekend-long circus, with basketball food chains and a whole lot of dancing.

Stepping out on the dance floor at HSBC Arena, the bass is bumping. Davidson – David’s long-lost relative – is pushing Maryland – Goliath’s hideous great-great-great-grandson – to the limit.

Davidson’s fighting Maryland blow for blow. If anything, the turtle fears Davidson.

The Wildcats are hitting 3-pointer after 3-pointer. Freshman Stephen Curry hits a short jumper from the left elbow. Then he nails a 30-foot 3-pointer. Then he scoops in a left-handed layup just ahead of the outstretched arm of a Maryland defender.

David turned his tracking system on – he’s aiming at Goliath’s forehead. The floor shakes, the groundswell is growing. The crowd is decidedly behind Davidson.

Suddenly, Maryland’s D.J. Strawberry hits a 3. Guard Mike Jones sinks a pair of foul shots. Davidson clangs two 3-pointers, the Terrapins grab every rebound.

One last chance to cut into the lead falls short, as Curry’s prayer of a 3-pointer meets unfriendly back iron.

The crowd goes silent. David’s pebble missed. The Prince’s slipper didn’t fit.

And Maryland beats Davidson, 82-70. Just like that, the dream is dead, the upset hopes dashed. Goliath wins again.