Hosting a Big Ten basketball game for the first time, the University of Maryland beat Minnesota 70-58. With the victory, the Terrapins improve to 14-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

UMTerps.com

UMTerps.com

Quick Hits:

1) As you project ahead through the remainder of the year, one of the real encouraging aspects is the seemingly game-to-game improvement of Damonte Dodd. The Sophomore big is really doing a lot of positive things right now. He’s defending the rim, he’s getting off the floor quicker then others for boards, and he is getting the baskets MD needs from him inside. For the game, Dodd finished with 9 points, 12 boards, and 3 blocks.

2) Minnesota played a lot of zone, and also showed pressure. These were good things for MD to have to see. Against that zone, MD launched 19 three’s in the first half, hitting 7 of those shots. For the game, MD was 8 of 26 beyond the arc. The pressure impacted MD at-times, with the Terps having 10 first half turnovers, and 19 for the game.

2a) There were 6 different Terps who made at-least one 3 today.

3) Wells was just 2 of 7 in the 1st half (including 1 of 4 from 3), but he did have 6 boards. He finished with 12 points, 7 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. That MD can win comfortably against an upper-echelon Big Ten team with Wells going 4 of 10 from the floor is a real positive.

4) For the game, MD won the battle on the boards 45-36.

5) Layman had just 4 FG attempts vs. Michigan State, and had just 3 in the first half today. For the game, he was 5 of 7 from the floor; including 2 of 3 from 3. He finished with 12 points, 6 boards, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.

6) Maryland had a 32-17 lead at the TV Timeout with 7:03 left in the 1st half. After that point, the Terps would not have another FG until a Trimble layup with 42 seconds left. That scoring drought allowed Minnesota to work their way back into the game. Couple of things there, you would like to see the killer instinct when you get up – but you also appreciate that MD didn’t get scared as the lead dwindled. As the 2nd half started, MD again took control.

7) Nice to see a large, energetic crowd for the Big Ten home opener. It seems clear that enthusiasm for this MD team is picking up.

8) The Terps – particularly Trimble and Layman (but also Wells when healthy) – have done a great job all year of getting to the line. Today, MD had just 4 FT attempts in the first half. Part of that was all the 3’s against the Minnesota zone. Something to watch for future games. What I liked was that MD was able to function without the FT’s as part of their 1st half offense. In the 2nd half, things returned to norms and MD got to the line often. The Terps finished 20 of 28 at the charity stripe.

9) Trimble struggled vs. shooting against Michigan State, and had similar issues today as he was 5 of 15 from the floor. Still, he finished with 20 points as he was 9 of 13 at the foul line. He also added 6 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and even had a block.

10) Cekovsky has been struggling in recent weeks. Getting him back to contributing as part of the rotation will be important.

11) Tough day for Smotrycz, as he was 0 for 4 from the floor. Did have 3 boards, and 3 assists (along with 2 FT’s).

12) Up-next is a trip to Illinois Wednesday night.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

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.

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