Rimmer thrilled to be back home

Florida backup center and former Orlando Boone standout Schuyler Rimmer was quite excited Sunday when it became official the Gators would open NCAA Tournament play in his hometown at the Amway Center.

“I was really excited about it on Selection Sunday,” Rimmer said. “... But now that the selection process is over and we’re here in Orlando, it’s exciting, but it’s time for us to focus on our opponent and try to cut out all of the distractions.”

Any distractions triggered by returning home were short-lived.

“Tickets dried up pretty quick between my family and some other people,” Rimmer said.

Chalmers’ role

If there’s anyone more accustomed to the success of one of Xavier’s NCAA Tournament teams, it’s Lionel Chalmers.

During the 2004 NCAA Tournament, Chalmers was an important piece as the Musketeers reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

Known to fans as “The Run,” the Musketeers swept the Atlantic 10 Tournament, winning four games during four days.

The momentum continued in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed. With wins over 10th-seeded Louisville, No. 2 seed Mississippi State and No. 3 seed Texas, Xavier clinched a berth in the Elite Eight.

Chalmers visited this year’s Xavier team Tuesday night, sharing wisdom prior to the No. 11 seed Musketeers’ game against sixthseeded Maryland today at the Amway Center.

“Just to enjoy the moment. Make sure to keep your attention to detail,” Chalmers said.

“Just focus in on the team only. Pay attention to detail in the locker room.”

Trimble’s return

Maryland is no stranger to close contests.

The Terrapins have won 10 games this season by six points or fewer and Melo

Trimble has been personally responsible for a handful of those victories.

For Trimble, it justifies his decision to return to school for his junior year rather than leave early for the NBA.

“I feel great on the decision to come back,” Trimble said Wednesday on the eve of his team’s appearance in the NCAA Tournament in Orlando.

“I play with a lot of young guys now, as opposed to my freshman year, I was one of the young guys on the team.

“Last year I was still one of the young guys, and now I’m one of the older guys on the team.

“The way I played this year was the right way, in my opinion. I was able to get my teammates involved this year, just give the freshman to go, because college is a different level than high school,” he added.

Seeking an upset

The No. 5 versus No. 12 matchups can be tricky in the NCAA Tournament. The underdog has won 33 percent of the matchups.

No. 12 UNC-Wilmington (29-5) isn’t concerned about seeding when it faces No. 5 seed Virginia (22-10, 11-7 ACC) today.

“We haven’t really talked about it much,” sophomore guard C.J. Bryce said of the seeding trend. “We feel we can play against any given team on any night. We just have to play our game and our style of play.”