The University of Maryland ended 2012 running their record to 11-1, with a 79-50 win over Delaware State. The Terrapins will end their OOC (Out-of-Conference) schedule on Tuesday (the 1st) against IUPUI, before beginning Atlantic Coast Conference play vs. Virginia Tech next Saturday.

We’ve seen Maryland play 12 times this year, and every game we’ve seen Maryland’s depth, rebounding ability, willingness to share the ball, and defense on display. They certainly look like a Top 25 caliber (if not better) team, but there is still some question as to what the Terps are; because the competition has been so limited overall.

What we know is that the Terps are versatile, and the things they are good at, should remain consistent regardless of opponent. What remains to be seen is how well the Terps will be able to maximize their strengths against better competition, and how well better competition will be able to exploit the limitations Maryland does have. As the calender turns to 2013, it will be fun to see those questions answered.

The Good:

1) Padgett started off the game with a basket inside. Good to see Maryland attack the interior right away. Early in the 2nd half, Padgett followed a Len miss for his 2nd basket.

2) Cleare scored Maryland’s 2nd basket, on a great give and go from Howard. Using his power, Cleare cleared things out to put the Terps up 38-20. Cleare had 6 points and 3 boards.

3) Wells gave the Terps the early 6-5 lead, sticking with the play, and going up strong underneath the basket. Wells had a block on one end of the floor, and got back down the court to score on a follow, for a 23-16 MD lead. Flying high, Wells brought the crowd to their feet, with a vicious dunk at around the 5 minute mark of the 1st half.  Another great finish from Wells early in the 2nd half, off a pass from Len. A Wells steal led to a layup for Howard. On a reverse layup, Wells finished a 10-0 MD run, pushing the lead to 23 (54-31). Wells finished with 10 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block.

4) Exploding across the court in transition, Faust scored his first basket on a layup to tie the game at 8. A good pass from Faust set up Mitchell. On an assist from Wells, Faust had his first basket of the 2nd half. Faust got 3 the old-fashioned way, finishing on a hard foul and making his FT.

5) Mitchell became the 5th Maryland Terp to score, when tied the game at 10. Mitchell gained his 2nd basket, after Allen delivered a good look. His 3rd basket gave MD the 19-16 lead. Mitchell showed his hands on a pass from Len, and scored again put MD up 5 at 21-16. Mitchell is a monster, and just extremely productive in the time he gets. He finished with 19 points, and 14 boards.

6) Layman dropped in a jumper from 15 feet, pulling the Terps within 1 at 14-13. A follow dunk from Layman, gave the Freshman his 2nd basket. He also had a basket as the 1st half was ending. Layman had 7 points, 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal.

7) Going coast-to-coast, Allen stayed in-control on his layup. This gave MD a 15-14 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the 1st half. Several plays later he crossed a defender over, and got to the rim, delivering a great assist to Mitchell. A long 3 from Allen, put the Terps up 10 at 26-16. With just under 15 minutes left in the game, Allen had a steal. He had another steal on an in-bounds, leading to a basket from Mitchell. Allen had 10 points, 3 assists, 3 steals. He was 5 of 6 from the line.

8) Going baseline, Len scored his first basket, through contact. MD took the 28-16 lead, with 5:30 left in the 1st half. His 2nd basket came in the middle of the 2nd half, as Len used his power and size to score.

9) Howard got on the board late in the 1st half with a jumper, and had 4 assists in the first 20 minutes. Howard was able to finish on the break, on a 2nd half layup. At just under the 11 minute mark of the 2nd half, Howard came up with a steal and a layup. He showed a little more ‘burst’ than we’ve seen from him most of this year. Howard had 6 points, 6 assists.

10) Maryland was still playing hard later into the game, with Padgett, Layman, Aronhalt, and Allen all having steals with under 8 minutes left.

11) Maryland shot 57% from the floor, and had 20 assists.

12) Delaware State was limited to just 32% (18 of 56) from the floor.

13) Delaware State had 16 turnovers combined against Pittsburgh and Penn State, but Maryland forced them into 20 turnovers today.

The Bad:

1) On Maryland’s 3rd trip down the floor, Wells pushed the action in transition, and found Howard who missed an open look from 3. Howard was later called for steps, with MD up 21-16.

2) Len missed two early shots inside. Len went to half-time 1 for 3 from the floor, with 2 rebounds. There are too many games right now where Len is not a factor throughout. He has raised his game (and been given more opportunity to do so) against the best competition. So, perhaps when ACC play begins, we will see more consistency from him. However, even though Len has not really been ‘needed’ against most of the OOC competition, I would have liked to have seen the Terps working on regularly getting Len involved in every game. I also would like to see Len demand the ball.

3) Delaware State was 5 of 10 from the floor to start the game, getting several easy looks.

4) A couple of lazy turnovers for Maryland today. Faust had a turnover, as he was a bit out of control going to the basket in the 1st half. He had 3 turnovers overall. Layman turned it over, on an attempted pass inside in the 1st half. Wells turned it over, on an in-bounds pass attempt.

5) Aronhalt missed several looks from outside, going 1 for 4 from 3.

6) The rebounding margin was close, given the size and athleticism differences.

7) Maryland was 11 of 17 from the line.

The Ugly:

1) None.

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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