MSU sinks Terps; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Korie Lucious’s 3 pointer dagger as time-expired certainly hurts, but it seemed to be a deserved result as the Michigan State Spartans beat the Maryland Terrapins 85-83 in the 2nd-round of the NCAA Tournament.

I use the term ‘deserved’, because you have to respect the way that Tom Izzo’s Spartans played through-out the game, even with the injury to Kalin Lucas, and a limited Chris Allen.

As I said the other-day, Izzo has my complete respect for his accomplishments, and I also knew beating a team that had reached the NCAA Final last-year would be difficult. I knew that an Izzo team would be strong on the boards, have good athleticism, and defend well. Still, I expected a Terrapin win today and the result stings.

The Good:

1) As the season-ends, I choose to look at the season as a whole as opposed to just these 40 minutes. When Vasquez announced in Mid-June he was returning for his Senior season I stated, “With Vasquez back, MD should be expected to win 10 ACC games, advance to the Sweet 16, and have a legitimate chance at the Elite 8.”

http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/06/vasquez-is-back-for-his-senior-season.html

So while the Terps fell short of my post-season expectation; they did slightly exceed my expectations for them within the ACC. Overall, it was an enjoyable year. 13 ACC wins should not be forgotten. I will not hide from my own thought that this team could have done more in this tournament, but 3 trips to the NCAA’s in the past four-seasons has brought normalcy back to College Park. Compared to where the program appeared in January 2009, that is a good thing.

2) I am happy that the Terps went out fighting, with Vasquez again showing the willingness to take the last-shot. Each of the Seniors played reasonably well.

2a) Vasquez finished with 26 points, 8 assists, 4 boards, and 3 steals. I think he will be a bit haunted by how long it took for the Terps to start clearing-out and allowing him to drive the lane. When he started doing that at-will during the last 8 minutes, MD ate into the deficit (as high as 16 I believe) and was able to get to the foul-line.

2b) Hayes had 18 points, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers.

2c) Milbourne had 11 points, and 3 boards.

3) Jordan Williams was limited once he picked-up his 2nd foul early. He was smart enough to be able to stay on the court for 29 minutes, and contributed with a double-double (10 points, 10 boards).

4) Maryland had 20 assists, to just 6 turnovers. The Terps also had 8 steals, and forced 20 turnovers.

The Bad:

1) The Terps figured to lose on the boards today, but losing 35-21 on the glass was even more glaring than expected. Just too many 2nd-looks for the Spartans. Obviously part of this was the result of Williams being saddled with early foul-trouble, but that does not tell the whole-story.

2) Dino Gregory played 17 minutes and added 2 rebounds.

2a) I think it at some-point Gary Williams needed to get James Padgett off the bench and try that as an option.

3) The Terps allowed Michigan State to shoot 55% from the floor, and 56% from 3. Durrell Summers came into the game shooting 29.5% from 3 for the year, but somehow buried 6 of his 7 shots today. Korie Lucious came into the game shooting 30.7% from 3 for the year, but made 3 of his 6 attempts (including the game-winner) today. I guess this can be partly attributed to the defense sagging down-low (attempting to help rebound), and leaving open looks to the shooters.

4) Sean Mosley contributed little beyond his 4 foul-shots during his 14 minutes of action.

The Ugly:

1) I understand that Maryland did not want to foul Lucious as time ticked away to zero. Clinging to a 1 point lead, you can not foul him and allow him to win at the line. I will forever be puzzled as to why no Terrapin player was able to get a hand in his face and at-least contest the look.

Up-Next:

The 2010-11 season in November.

We get to spend a couple of months seeing what shakes-out for the Seniors. I hope (and believe) that Vasquez will be drafted towards the end of the 1st-round, and get a 3 year guaranteed contract. Hayes and Milbourne should also both have the opportunity to go to Pre-Draft camps, and potentially play their way into 2nd-round picks, or Training Camp Free Agents. More than likely neither can make an NBA roster, but both have the ability to continue their careers as professionals somewhere.

While those 3 depart, the Terps will be welcoming in at-least 5 newcomers, including the following Freshman:

Mychal Parker: 6’5, 190 lbs SF/SG
Terrell Stoglin: 5’11, 180 lbs PG
Pe’Shon Howard: 6’3, 200 lbs PG/SG
Ashton Pankey: 6’9, 220 lbs PF
Haukur Palsson: 6’6, 215 lbs SG/SF

There is absolutely no one that follows the Terps that believes Steve Goins will return to College Park, so there are plenty of people that believe Maryland could attempt to add one more ‘big’ before next-season. If Goins does officially depart, the Terps actually have the ability to add 2 players.

With Pankey having missed nearly all of his Senior season with a leg-injury, there is even further desire for adding a bit of increased interior-depth. However, adding a 6 man Freshman class is not ideal, which means a JUCO could be the move.