Posted:
#1
Thursday night's game did not go over....by one basket. The Terps went the final 9+ minutes of that game with NO FG's. The game was on pace for 160+ points. I know it did not win but it was the right play. Nothing we can do about two teams going ice cold for 9+ minutes to finish a game but the play was correct.
Tonight the Terps host Clemson at Cocast on Senior Night. This game has LARGE ramificatins for not only the Terps Dance hopes but also for Miami's, VT's and to some extent Clemson's, though the Tigers are likely close to "in" already. Maryland needs the win tonight badly to ovoid having to win the season finale at a dramatically improving UVa and a first round win in Charlotte at the ACC Tournament. The Terps took care of step one with the win at a very feisty WF team, a place only one other team had won all season. It was gutsy and the Terps leaned heavily on their two main guys, Gist and Vasquez. The Terps turned the ball over 20+ times but still managed to win, gutsy in itself.
Tonight the Tigers visit, a team that is arguably the third best team in the conference behind the Holes and Dook. They play good defense, they rebound well, they shoot the ball well, they share the ball well, they shoot the three ball alot and they have a very nice inside/outside game. They are also SICK athletically.
The Terps on the other hand play very good defense (top defensive FG % in the ACC), they rebound well, they shoot the ball well, they share the ball very well (top 2 in the ACC in assists) and they have a very nice inside/outside game. SOUND FAMILIAR???? It is becuase other than shooting the three ball well, these two teams are about as mirror-image for two ACC teams as it gets. This is a tough match-up for both teams. Why? Because they are lookingin the mirror in what makes them successful. I think this will be one of the better battles i the ACC this season. Both teams need the win, both for slightly different reasons but the motivation is definitely there.
The Terps have got to get more balance in the scoring that they had the other night. Gist or Vasquez scoring 85-90% of the points will not work. Milbourne needs to go for 10+. Hayes needs to have 10+. Boom (Osby) was rumored to have the flu Thursday night so hopefully he will be back close to full strength and can contribute 10+. If the Terps get say 15-20 from Gist and/or Vasquez an dat least 10 from two of the other three starters, they win this one. Also, Gary has started to use the bench alot more the past two games as I think he is seeing the effect of playing the starters too much is having on the Terps late in the game, late in the season. A few guys have seen dramatically increased minutes the last few games which will be key agaainst a deep Clemson team.
The keys tonight are as follows:
1) Which team avoids early foul trouble. Who gets two fouls early; Boom, Gist or Vasquez or Booker/Hammonds/Rivers. Both teams need to avoid any of hteir studs sitting as the other team is just too good to play without your key guys. Myabe an early chrge v. block sets the tone.
2) The Terps ability to concentrate on boxig out and keeping a very athletic Clemson team off the offensive boards. Clemson kills teams there.
3) Terps ability to protect the rock. If I were Clemson, I would pressure the Terp guards almost full court and make a very animated and mistake prone Vasquez work his ass off for 37+ minutes. If the Terps stay under 14 turnovers, they win this one.
4) One team's ability to build an early lead, especially if it is the Terps. This is Senior Night so Comcast will be rocking. The alumni might even get into the action some (maybe!). If the Terps can get up early like they did at home against VT, maybe they can follow through on it and not let the Tigers back into it. I keep saying tha the Terps are due to play a complete game at home at some point and this is the last shot. If the Tigers build a big, early lead, it's not as big a deal as the Terps have shown they can come back at home and emotional energy will be at a premium.
I give the Terps the edge with the home crowd and maybe being a little hungrier than Clemson....a little. I give the Terps the edge in coach, especially in a must win game. I give the Tigers an edge in overall team athletic ability and rebounding. I think the Tigers are VERY good. However, I also think the Tigers areprone to poor shooting performances and if the other team is hiiting, they lose to team's like FSU on the road. I think the Tigers need to get ahead ealry or they could be in trouble tonight. I have a good feeling on this game for the Terps. They won the other night becuase they worked their asses off. They won at Wake, a tough place to win, with their B- game. The Terps are due to put a great game together. I think it could come tonight. It helps that Clemson will leave a tn of points on the court with their inability to shoot FT's. They are atrocious from the charity stripe. That's not good in a game that should be failry close.
I think the Terps get thing clicking tonight and win at home. I'll gladly lay the one point as it just means we have to win. Gist and Boom go out winners in their final home game for Gary. Big emotional nights can sometimes be a distraction for teams but once that all wears off, I think the double headed, senior threat of Boom and Gist wears the Tigers down inside.
Take the Terps and give the point. No real feel on the total but I will post it here if I decide on that.
Boom needs to Free the Fro tonight as he has had it braided for the last two games. I think he will for the home crowd.
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