Terps beat Georgia Tech at the buzzer; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Cliff Tucker’s 3 point shot at the buzzer today, not only gave the University of Maryland the victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets; it likely punched the NCAA Tournament dance-card for the Terrapins.

Even without a marquee out-of-conference victory, the win today means the Terps will finish this Atlantic Coast Conference season with at least 9 regular-season wins. For all the talk about the ACC being ‘down’, nearly every Bracket prognosticator is currently projecting the league to take 7 teams. 9 wins (a winning league record) in a league that takes 7 teams, points to a team that will be dancing.

While knowing the Terps will be dancing for the 3rd time in 4 years is a good thing, the ceiling for this team is much higher than just getting to the tournament. Tucker’s winning shot is more than about beating Georgia Tech. It is about improving the seed Maryland is going to get in the ACC, and NCAA Tournaments, and helping position the Terps to advance in both.

The Good:

1) The students were boisterous today, but the majority of the Comcast Center was pretty dead until late in the game. Jordan Williams’ on the floor hustle play to get the ball back late in the 2nd-half, brought the crowd alive, which made a difference down the stretch. Tucker’s game-winner was a reminder of why sports are the ultimate drama.

2) In my review of the Terps win over NCST from earlier this week, I said the Terps needed more out of Hayes than they received that night. Only later did I learn of how sick Hayes was. That was a mistake on my part for not having all the information. Credit to Hayes for attempting to play through the sickness. Extreme credit to Hayes for the effort he provided today. Hayes finished with 15 points (6 of 10 from the floor, 3 of 6 from 3), 2 boards, 5 assists, and a steal. He made a number of outstanding drives to the rim, and hit some very important shots down the stretch.

3) Vasquez was just 5 of 16 from the floor (1 of 7 from 3), but he hit all 7 of his Free Throws,and had 8 assists, and with 5 rebounds. His 18 points gave him over 2,000 for his career, as he became just the 6 Terrapin to reach that milestone. He also became the first player in ACC history with 2,000 points, 700 assists, and 600 boards. Gary Williams was quoted after the game as saying, “Anybody who thinks that [Vasquez} doesn’t belong in the top 5 to 7 players that have ever been here, do not know know the game very well.”

4) Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech showed today why he will be a Lottery pick in the NBA Draft this coming June. Jordan Williams provided another example today, of why he has the tools necessary to be an all-time great at Maryland. Williams finished strong with 9 points, 12 boards, 2 steals. His intensity down the stretch was huge.

5) Dino Gregory scored 9 points in his 16 minutes of action today, and competed defensively against Lawal, and Favors. Since Jordan Williams is not a good foul-shooter (1 of 4 today), Gary Williams had Gregory on the court exclusively down the stretch. Gregory should be congratulated for his effectiveness as the charity-stripe. Beyond that, he runs the floor, and is capable of finishing strong (his missed layup in the last-minute notwithstanding). He can really help the Terps down the stretch, by making that occasional jumper around-the-key, or his little jump-hook with some consistency.

6) For the 2nd-straight game, Bowie knocked down two 3-pointers. While I might still cringe when he has attempts from deep, it has been good to see him contribute these last couple of games. His confidence should be on the rise.

7) Tucker played just 9 minutes, but was prepared to help when called on. Obviously the game-winner will get the deserved attention, but do not forget the other 3 pointer Tucker made to pull the Terps within 2 points at 65-63.

8) Just 9 turnovers for Maryland today.

9) As Georgia Tech began concentrating on pounding the ball inside to Lawal, and Favors; I thought Maryland got good minutes with Williams, and Gregory (and for a couple of minutes, Gregory and Padgett) sharing the court.

10) You can go back and check my game-reviews for every game this season, and I guarantee you will have not seen me mention the refs once. I feel compelled to today. While MD won 2 or 3 calls today that should have gone against them, Georgia Tech was being awarded phantom-call after phantom-call today. Maryland showed maturity fighting through the calls that went the other way.

The Bad:

1) I have said it before, and I will say again; Milbourne has my respect for being a team-player, and playing out of position as a Power Forward. That said, when he plays against athletic PF’s that are bigger, stronger, and have similar foot-speed; Milbourne struggles to score. Part of that struggle is just getting his shot-off. He also struggles because he spends a lot of energy on defense. Whatever the case; Maryland needs his scoring punch. If Mosley’s recent struggles continue, I wonder if Gary Williams would consider moving Milbourne to the 3, and giving increasing minutes to Gregory, and Padgett at the 4? A change to the starting-lineup would be disruptive at this point, but in game you could make the adjustment when/if needed.

2) Mosley looked uncomfortable from the opening warm-ups. He needs to get back in the gym, and knock down some jumpers. Or maybe just review some highlights of all the good things he has accomplished this year. To me the issue today was not his offense, but his decision-making. The only reason Tucker was in the game late, was because Mosley made a horribly lazy pass that was stolen out of the in-bounds. The Terps have to get his confidence back-up during the coming week.

3) Georgia Tech winning on the boards was not a surprise. However, the Terps allowing 21 offensive-rebounds was. Gary Williams lost the jacket today, because he was frustrated by the Terps efforts on the boards.

4) While Gregory is an outstanding foul-shooter, it is not a good thing that you worry about playing Jordan Williams late in a close game. Williams is a bigger presence in the post, and a larger offensive force. Just by eating space in the lane, he creates better looks for his teammates from the outside. When Gregory is on the floor, opposing defenses get the ability to cheat off of Gregory, and help double-team the other Maryland players. Other teams are going to use a similar strategy, and Williams is going to have to show improvement at the line.

5) For the 5th consecutive-game, the Terps shot under 20 foul-shots. (12 of 17) The Terps need to work with greater-resolve to get to the line, and knock down their shots when they get there. Hopefully seeing the results of the Yellow Jackets effectively losing the game at the line (11 of 20) made an impression.

The Ugly:

None. Maryland lost by 19 points a week-ago today in Durham. They responded by winning 3 games this week, and raising their record to 19-7 overall, and 9-3 in the ACC.

Up-Next:

On Wednesday, the Terrapins get the opportunity avenge one of their 3 conference losses, when they host the Clemson Tigers. Similarly to Georgia Tech, Clemson has two talented bigs (Booker, and Grant) that will again be tough to contend with. However, I am of the opinion that Georgia Tech has better guards. Down 4 points to the Tigers, Maryland went scorless the last 3 minutes 23 seconds of the previous game and lost by 9. By Wednesday, the Terps should again have their legs back. Between that, and the home-crowd, I expect Maryland to win.

With the win today, the Terps moved a 1/2 game ahead of Virginia Tech into sole-possession of 2nd-place in the ACC. Next Saturday, Maryland will get their sole-opportunity against the Hokies this year, when they travel to Blacksburg. That will be a difficult environment, and Virgina Tech will be favored. Getting a quality road-win would greatly improve the Maryland resume.