Terps lose to Yellow Jackets; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Down by as many as 18 points, and 16 at half-time; Maryland had a spirited-run to get back into the game; but lost 69-64 to Georgia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference Quarter-finals.

If you are a fan of College Basketball (and the Terps in-particular) this game went about according to plan.

You came into this game knowing that the Yellow Jackets had pushed MD to the buzzer in College Park, and would have confidence in their ability to compete tonight. You knew that Georgia Tech was likely in the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happened tonight, but that it was still in enough of question to lead to an inspired effort from Tech. You knew that with future NBA players Favors, and Lawal in their starting-lineup, that Georgia Tech’s front-line would pose problems for MD. You knew that after 7 consecutive wins going into the ACC Tournament, that the Terps would now be playing as the hunted.

Still, while I expected a close-game tonight, I thought MD would find a way to win in the end. The Terps had numerous chances to pull-even or grab the lead tonight, but could not complete their run. While that was frustrating, Maryland has to look in the mirror and question where their own effort, and intensity were the first 20 minutes of the game.

The Good:

1) Even if the Terps had reached the final on Sunday, they still would have had the ability to rest before a game Thursday at the earliest. So, overall I have to say that leaving the ACC Tournament earlier and gaining additional rest accomplishes little. On the other-hand, Maryland is likely to be in a bracket where they have to do some traveling, so losing tonight could help in that regard.

2) If there is a real positive from the game tonight, it was seeing Landon Milbourne play his best game in several weeks. In 35 minutes of work, Milbourne finished with 15 points, 6 boards, 5 steals, and a block. It was his first-game in double-figures scoring since February 15th. He clearly had a bounce in his step, and maybe you can attribute that to the extra-rest.

3) Georgia Tech is not a team of world-beaters, but they have plenty of athletic talent. Maryland showed they had an ability to be down as many as 18 points, against an athletic-team, with their leader having a horrible offensive-game; and still have the ability to work their way back into the game.

4) Terps were credited with 16 steals tonight. While the Yellow Jackets clearly had a number of unforced errors, MD gets some credit for their defense in the 2nd-half.

5) Hayes finished with 14 points, 3 boards, and 2 assists. When he started aggressively looking for his shot, the offense for the entire team improved.

The Bad:

1) I understand Maryland was doing a lot of doubling on Lawal, and Favors and that left Tech shooters open. However, the Yellow Jackets hit 8 of 12 three-point attempts, with Maryland not even getting a hand in the shooter’s face on occasion.

2) Terps played a team with trees in the middle, and athleticism on the perimeter and had trouble getting to the rim. Maryland has to get to the foul-line more than 13 times in a game, and there has to be a concerted effort to crash the boards as a team. Too many missed layups tonight for the Terps.

3) Maryland has no business taking 21 three-point attempts.

4) Jordan Williams picked up his 4th foul with 15 minutes left in the game. While he was attempting to take a charge, it was more important for Williams to stay on the court. Hard to imagine the Terps winning a game in the NCAA’s if Williams is limited to 21 minutes like he was today.

4a) Silly foul picked-up on Gregory tonight. Gregory can not be fouling a jump-shooter 25 feet from the basket on a 3point-attempt.

5) Vasquez was off today, not just with his shooting – 6 of 21 from the floor, 2 of 11 from three – but with his decision making. If he finds himself off in the NCAA’s, he should concentrate on finding his teammates, and getting to the foul-line.

6) If Georgia Tech did not miss 14 foul-shots, this game could have been a blowout.

7) After 4 consecutive games of at-least 10 points, Mosley was 0 for 7 tonight, and finished with none. Mosley was much improved this year with finishing around the basket, but he missed some easy looks tonight.

The Ugly:

1) Maryland came alive in the 2nd-half, as they played with pride, and an attacking defense. It should not have taken being embarrassed in the 1st-half to find that higher-gear of play. If they want to do any damage of significance in the NCAA Tournament, the Terps will have to fight on every possession starting with the tip.

Up-Next:

On Sunday night, the Terps figure to be seeded as a 4 or 5 seed. Some possible 1st-round opponents to keep in-mind:

Illinois
Florida
Washington
Wofford
Tulsa
San Diego State
Rhode Island
Siena
Cornell
Oakland
Murray State

Anything less than the Sweet 16 would be disappointing. Count me as one that hopes Maryland winds-up playing a Major-Conference team like Illinois, Florida, or Washington. Those teams would have the full-attention of the Terps, while some of those other teams listed above would get to play Maryland with absolutely zero pressure.

Gary Williams is 11-2 in NCAA First Round games, winning the last 9.

Last-year, after the 108-91 loss at North Carolina, Gary Williams wrote down on a piece of paper that he thought the Terps would win the rematch at College Park. He challenged his team to sign the paper if they believed.

After this loss tonight, I would again be pulling out the paper if I was Coach Williams. The margin of error for this Terps team remains thin, but they have the capability of doing real damage in the coming tournament.

The bar was raised with 13 Atlantic Coast Conference wins, and the team should not shy away from their own personal expectations. They should aim-high, and realize it is going to take full-effort every game.