Maryland rolls NCST; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The University of Maryland Terrapins have moved to 3-1 in the ACC, with a 24 point demolishing of North Carolina State.

With the victory, the Terps are tied for first-place in conference play.

The Good:

1) Maryland won both halves against a Wolfpack team that had just beat Duke several days earlier.

2) The Terps had 12 less Field Goal attempts than NCST, but made 54% of their Field Goal attempts, and limited the Wolfpack to 36% from the floor.

3) NCST came out focused on double-teaming Vasquez, and pressing Maryland, and it had exactly zero impact on the the Terps.

4) Maryland has gotten the message, and is now regularly attacking the rim aggressively. This led to 33 trips to the foul-line.

5) For the 3rd time in 4 ACC games, Maryland won on the boards.

6) Seven Terps player scored at-least 7 points, providing balanced scoring across the board.

6a) Jordan Williams had 9 points (4 of 6 shooting), and 9 boards, as he made his presence felt.

6b) Vasquez went a long portion of the game without even hoisting a shot, letting NCST pay for their constant double-teaming. He finished a very efficient 7 for 11 from the field, and knocked down three 3’s.

6c) Tucker had 11 points in 17 minutes. Terps Radio analyst Chris Knoche described Maryland running an NBA clear-out for Tucker, setting up a chance for him to take his man 1×1. It has been a theme all-year, but when him and Bowie play well off the bench; Maryland is a very tough opponent for anyone.

6d) Mosley gets a lot of credit for his aggression tonight, getting to the foul-line 13 times himself. He finished with 13 points, 7 boards, and 4 assists. Milbourne added 18 points, and 5 boards of his own. These two are playing well enough to receive consideration for All-ACC 3rd team.

6e) 8 points, and 6 boards for Gregory tonight. The scoring was a bonus, but the 6 boards in 22 minutes was exactly what you need from him.

The Bad:

1) I understand that Maryland was not playing Longwood, but after a 20 minute, 10 point, 7 rebound, 2 block outing against the Lancers; Padgett was limited to 3 minutes of action tonight against NCST. I have not heard if there was some other factor that limited his time (sickness, turned an ankle etc) but when you have the working margin Maryland had tonight, finding time for Padgett should have occurred. At some point you will need him to produce in conference play, so you have to find minutes for him in games where he can gain experience.

2) Similarly, after averaging 20 minutes against Boston College, and Wake Forest; Bowie only played 11 minutes tonight against NCST. Hayes was fine tonight (7 points, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 1 block) but he was also just 1 of 6 from the floor. So, it was not like Hayes was in the zone, lighting it up from outside. You have to imagine the reason Hayes received 31 minutes tonight, and Bowie’s time was limited was because NCST was pressuring the ball, and Gary Williams was more comfortable with Hayes being on the floor. I get that, and obviously that strategy worked. When the game became a blowout, I think it was a good time to get Bowie additional time against on the ball pressure.

The Ugly:

1) Again, none. Maryland has played 4 ACC games, and won 3. They easily could be 4-0. They have blown out their last two league opponents in BC, and now NCST.

The Terps have found comfort in a style of play they are going to use as their blue-print game after game, and in their 9 man rotation.

They are playing like a team that deserves to be ranked, and capable of doing some damage as this year progresses.

Up-Next:

Tuesday night at-home against Miami is a very big game. The Hurricanes have spent time in the Top 25 this year, and are now 15-4 overall, and 1-4 in the ACC after their 4 point lost to Boston College this past Tuesday.

Miami will have had the entire week to practice, focus on the Terps, and reflect on where they are. That will be a desperate team that takes the floor against Maryland. The Terps will have to come-out intent on defending their home-floor, and setting a tone early.

You can expect that with 3 straight losses, the Hurricanes are doubting themselves a bit. You want to take it to them early, and play on that doubt.

Expect an ugly, physical game. It does not have to be a thing of beauty, or a replication of the 24 point beating of NCST tonight; it does have to end in a Terrapin win.

With the win, Maryland will move to 14-5 overall, 4-1 in the ACC; and set-up a game at Clemson where the Terps will have the opportunity to again climb into National attention.