Terps move to 2-0; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Number 25 Maryland, moved to 2-0 on the season last-night, beating Fairfield 71-42.

The Good:

1) Maryland held Fairfield to a Field Goal percentage of 29 from the floor.

2) Fairfield had dominated the boards in their first two games, but MD won the battle on the glass last night 36-30.

3) Terps had 12 steals, and forced 24 turnovers.

4) When the MD offense was frigid, Eric Hayes became more aggressive going to the rim. Only good things can happen when that occurs, because he seemingly either scores, or gets to the foul line.

5) Fairfield Freshman PG Derek Needham came out hot, and was looking fairly demonstrative. Needham finished with 15 points (hitting all 8 foul shots), but the Terps turned up the defense on him, forcing 7 turnovers.

6) The Terps are able to use the pressure defense in waives, and it has an effect over the course of a game, especially against a team with limited guards (and ball handlers) like Fairfield.

7) Jordan Williams and James Padgett finished with a combined 12 points, 12 boards, 2 steals, and a block. If MD essentially winds up playing with 4 guards/wings, and a big – that is the combined production you will need each game from Williams and Padgett. Last night was good experience against Fairfield Senior Anthony Johnson. Johnson’s experience showed, but Williams and Padgett competed.

I really liked the like play where the Terps went inside to Williams, and he used his hips to seal off Johnson. At times I thought up and down pace was a little much for Williams right now, but for the most part he runs the court well for such a big guy.

Johnson made his presence known with 14 boards, and 6 blocks, but he had come into the game averaging 15.5 points per game, and was held to just 4 points.

8) Tucker and Bowie added a combined 14 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, 3 steals off the bench.

9) Mosley had 13 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, and 0 turnovers.

The Bad:

1) MD did not have a great shooting night, going 28-65 from the floor, 4-12 from 3 point land, and 11-16 from the foul-line. Part of that was Fairfield had some size, and shrank into a compacted zone, daring the Terps to shoot over the top. The Terps have some scorers, but not really the shooters necessary to rain down jumpers. MD is going to have to learn to drive against teams with inside-depth, and get to the foul line.

I have now seen UNC, and Duke several times this year, and the inside play of those teams is superior as suspected. If Gregory, Goins, and JSC are available for those games, it will help; but still be an uphill battle inside.

Duke is going to zone MD, with 4 players on the court at-least 6’8. You are only going to be able to beat Duke, if you can beat your man off the dribble.

2) Vasquez is now 6 for 25 to start the year, including 2 of 7 from 3. Unlike this past year, the team will not live and die by his scoring alone. He was forcing the issue in the 1st-half, and that led to most of his 4 turnovers. He calmed down, found his teammates, and the lead increased. Needham was attempting to make his name vs. Vasquez. So will most every other player Vasquez plays this year. He has to avoid falling into the trap of those personal match-ups.

As the year progresses, and the competition increases, it is key that Vasquez continues to have faith in his teammates to make the plays necessary to win.

3) Mosley had just 7 Field Goal attempts in 35 minutes of play. He is at times too unselfish.

4) It will be strange to see a MD team that does not dominate the block shot category, but that appears likely this season. Terps were blocked 11 times.

The Ugly:

1) There is nothing really ugly from the game last night, other than worrying about the front-court a bit against Major (BCS) Conference-level teams. Overall, things will be fine, and will improve if Gregory is back for the start of ACC play.

Prior to that, it would be very beneficial to have Steve Goins back playing for the trip to Maui.

The latest update I have seen on Steve Goins came on November 12th from Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times. Stevens quoted Gary Williams as stating: “We’re waiting to see where it feels like he can play,” Williams said. “When he can play, he’ll practice obviously. Then, how that will be the next day. If he can go the next day and he can go a couple times in a row, then he’d be ready to go in a game. We could use Steve, there’s no doubt about it.

“He’s 6-9, 250, and he does some good things when he does play. It’s just been a health thing the whole time with him, really ever since high school. The knee just hasn’t responded that well.”

Here is hoping that Goins can get a few minutes of playing time in these next two games vs. New Hampshire, and Chaminade.

Up-Next:

New Hampsire who is 91-45.

Here is a link to my preview of New Hampshire:

http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/10/before-maui-look-at-new-hampshire.html