Obama to be just at fan at this basketball game

TOWSON, Md. (AP) — President Barack Obama was just a fan at this basketball game.

Obama, who plays in pick-up games as often as he can, including one Saturday morning, brought his family Towson University near Baltimore for an afternoon game that pitted the Towson Tigers against the Oregon State Beavers.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Actor Bill Murray, center, chats with President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama before an NCAA basketball game between Oregon State and Towson in Towson, Md., Saturday.

Obama's brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is Oregon State's head coach.

The crowd inside Towson's arena erupted in cheers as Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entered and shook fans' hands as they made their way to a pair of courtside seats.

Daughters Malia and Sasha sat in the first row of the bleachers. Also attending were Obama's mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player and friend of Obama's from Chicago.

"Groundhog Day" actor Bill Murray, was in attendance, too, and he greeted Obama before play got under way.

At halftime Saturday, with Oregon State leading 32-20, Obama stepped onto the court to greet Towson football players.

Catching an Oregon State game has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition for the Obamas.

Last year, the Beavers came to Washington and defeated Howard. The year before that, Oregon State traveled east and scored a win against George Washington.