The University of Maryland built a 9 point 2nd half lead against #5 North Carolina, but the Tar Heels stormed back for the 83-74 victory. With the loss, the Terps fall to 13-9, and 3-5 in the ACC.
The Good:
1) Checking in off the bench, Len’s size made an immediate difference on the defensive end against Zeller. He altered a bunch of shots from the Tar Heels, and was also providing offense of his own. Len ended the half, following a Padgett miss to put MD up 3. Making Zeller work on the defensive end, Len got the Carolina big to pick up his 4th foul with just under 12 minutes remaining. Len finished with 12 points, 9 boards, and 4 blocks.
2) Down 15-9, Padgett, Len, and Faust scrapped hard to chase down the ball, and gain MD an extra possession.
3) Stoglin delivered a great pass to Faust to tie the game at 15. Offensively, Stoglin settled for too many jumpers against Mimi. Today, he found ways to attack the UNC trees. He shook Bullock out of his shoes with a crossover, and finished with a floater. Stoglin finished with 20 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
4) In the first 10 minutes of play, MD turned the ball over just once.
5) With the shot-clock running down, Faust was able to create on his own, getting to the rim to put MD up 3 at 25-22. Perhaps more importantly, he was one of the Terrapins that combined to provide good defense on Barnes. After Len had rebounded a missed Stoglin FT, Faust made Carolina pay with another strong offensive drive. Faust had 11 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
6) UNC entered today as the best rebounding team in the country. UNC had the edge today 44-37, but for most of the game, MD was able to play the Tar Heels nearly even on the boards.
7) Like Faust, Mosley also provided some good defensive minutes on Barnes. Early in the 2nd half, Mosley had a steal and got to the line. With under 5 minutes left, Mosley had an important basket with a reverse along the baseline. Mosley had 11 points, and 5 boards.
8) MD did a good job today of not just getting to the line, but converting effectively once there. (20 of 27)
9) The Terps had 7 blocks.
The Bad:
1) Mosley was stripped by Barnes at the top of the key.
2) UNC took the early 11-7 lead, hitting 5 of their first 7 shots. You knew going into the game you were giving up size to Zeller, and Henson and you would difficult defending them. UNC knew this as well, going to Zeller 3 times for easy looks.
3) Down 15-12, Faust forced a 3 (that was missed) with four Carolina defenders underneath, and all of his MD teammates on the other-side of the court.
4) Stoglin gave away when he threw a pass into the crowd, with the Terps up 50-46.
5) MD went up 9 (48-39) with 17:25 left in the 2nd half. Over the next 5 minutes, UNC went on an 11-2 run.
6) Len turned the ball over with a lazy attempt at a back door pass. This led to a UNC fast-break, and allowed the Tar Heels to pull within 1. (56-57) Over the next minute, MD would commit two more turnovers, and UNC would the lead.
7) Coming out of a time out, Howard missed the front-end of a 1 and 1.
8) Down 4 with 1:40 left on the clock, Stoglin forced a shot that was apparent to everyone he was going to take.
9) While MD had just 1 turnover in the first 10 minutes of play, the Terrapins still finished with 14 turnovers.
The Ugly:
1) Mosley picked up his 4th foul with just over 12 minutes remaining.
2) MD was 4 of 15 from 3 point land, with Stoglin missing 5 of his 6 attempts.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.