Another ESPN 30 For 30 Documentary Focuses on Maryland

Tonight at 8 p.m., ESPN presents Without Bias, a documentary on the life and death of University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias.

The film, directed by Kirk Fraser, a Washington resident, is part of the sports network's 30 For 30 series. Last month, Barry Levinson's The Band That Wouldn't Die, the story of the Baltimore Colts marching band, proved to be wildly popular here in Charm City.

I was 10 years old when Bias died, yet I still remember that day vividly. I was, and still am, a huge Terps fan, and Bias was one of the best basketball players I have ever seen. When the local D.C. affiliate I was watching cut into its regularly programming to announce that Bias, who just two days earlier was chosen second overall by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft, had died, I was absolutely shocked. I called my dad at work to tell him the news, which he didn't believe.

At the time, the speculation was Bias had an enlarged heart. As the true cause of death - cocaine overdose - came out over the next few days, the entire state remained riveted. Bias' death led to the departure of legendary Terps coach Lefty Driesell and the precipitous decline of Maryland's basketball program.

If Without Bias is half as good as The Band That Wouldn't Die, or the rest of ESPN's 30 For 30 series, for that matter (I caught Muhammad and Larry last night, the story of the 1980 Ali-Holmes boxing match - outstanding), it should be terrific TV.

Here's the schedule of when it will air after tonight:

Nov 5, 10 p.m. - ESPN Classic
Nov. 5, 11:30 p.m. - ESPN2
Nov. 8, 9 p.m. - ESPN Classic
Nov. 9, 7 p.m. - ESPN2
Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 25, 8 p.m. - ESPN Classic

Photo: Len Bias was one of the greatest basketball players in Atlantic Coast Conference history. (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)