UMBC has played in three leagues over the last 15 years --- the Big South, the Northeast and the America East --- and all of them at this point play their conference finals on the home court of the highest remaining seed.

The Retrievers have never made it that far (let alone been a No. 1 seed), so there's never been any concern about the main use of their home floor in mid-March --- as the home of the Maryland state girls basketball championships.

Until this year. And until today, when the Retrievers bested Vermont in the AE semifinals.

So what's the answer? Well, Maryland's state high school association said late last month it would work around any scheduling conflicts.

I'm pretty sure UMBC coach Randy Monroe would like a heavy demand to use the RAC Arena up in Catonsville in March to remain for several years.

--- Patrick Stevens