On Sunday Night, the University of Maryland Terrapins rallied from an 11 point deficit over the last 3 minutes and 28 seconds to beat Northwestern 68-67. With the win, MD improved to 18-3 overall, and 6-2 in the Big Ten.
The Terps went into that game having been blasted in Indiana earlier in the week. Coming home to face the Wildcats, I thought MD would be out to make a statement from the opening tip. Instead the defense allowed numerous open looks, and saw Northwestern make 70% of their FG attempts during the first half.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Generally, Maryland has to feel good about again finding a way to win when they did not play well; but also concerned about their recent play. Over their past 6 games MD has played well just once (home vs. Michigan State). Of course these are Conference games, and even the dregs of a Power Conference are capable of rising-up on particular nights. The reminder here is that how others play against you is out of your grasp. You can only control what you can control. What MD does well has to again be emphasized, and adjustments to the scheme are necessary to minimize the limitations.
We know what MD does well at this point. Their offense is at their best when the ball moves, and open looks are created. The Terps ability to get to consistently get to the line (and convert once there) is huge. Aside from this past week, the defense has consistently forced opponents into contested shots. When two out of trio of Wells, Layman, and Trimble are playing well – MD can be a difficult opponent for just about anyone.
We also know about the limitations. Lonny Baxter, Jordan Williams, or Alex Len are unfortunately not able to again suit-up for MD. That lack of consistent post scoring lowers MD’s overall FG% shooting, and allows opponents to get out on MD’s shooters easier. The rebounding is so-so. The turnover margin is poor. The tempo the Terps play with, limits the amount of FG attempts generated.
Coach Turgeon knows far better than I do what is right for his team. Huge fan of the general emphasis on going to the rim, and looking to get to the line that MD has employed this year. I would like to see the ball pushed a bit more in transition. With the aforementioned trio plus Nickens, Wiley, and Pack – you have the guards and wings necessary to increase the pace. If you could do more pressing and trapping, you could create more turnovers and score more in that transition game. That would generate more attempts, and also a higher FG% with more layups and dunks. For my taste, this team too often settles into a 1/2 court game. Opponents just zone MD to death, and the Terps live and die by their ability to shoot over-top of that zone on a particular night.
As I said though, Turgeon knows infinitely more than I do. This past week we saw MD’s guards and wings struggle to keep the smaller, quicker Indiana and Northwestern guards in-front of them. Perhaps that is a reason for not increasing the overall pace?
Thursday’s trip to Ohio State (16-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten) will be interesting. MD was throttled last year in Columbus, when the Terps visited OSU as part of the ACC / Big Ten Challenge. (I had hoped to see the Buckeyes make the return trip to College Park, but that will have to wait a year.) Of course this is a different MD team. Can the Terps return to MD with a win? Sure. Most importantly though, we want to see MD play well and feel good about their performance. If you play well, and are beat – so be it.
Bleacher Report
How do the teams compare?
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency:
Ohio State 114.1 (20th Nationally)
Maryland 109.3 (46th Nationally)
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency:
Ohio State 95.8 (66th Nationally)
Maryland 93.5 (40th Nationally)
Adjusted Tempo:
Ohio State 66.9 (91st Nationally)
Maryland 65.3 (173rd Nationally)
Points Per Game:
Ohio State 80 (16th Nationally)
Maryland 72.5 (68th Nationally)
FG %:
Ohio State .509 (3rd Nationally)
Maryland .445 (118th Nationally)
Assists Per Game:
Ohio State 16.8 (13th Nationally)
Maryland 11.5 (264th Nationally)
Points Allowed:
Ohio State 61.9 (71st Nationally)
Maryland 63 (98th Nationally)
Rebounding:
Ohio State 35.2 (157th Nationally)
Maryland 36.6 (88th Nationally)
The following numbers are as of January 22nd:
FG % Defense:
Ohio State 39.1 (43rd Nationally)
Maryland 37.7 (20th Nationally)
Rebound Margin:
Ohio State 3.2 (96th Nationally)
Maryland 4.6 (59th Nationally)
Turnover Margin:
Ohio State 5.5 (5th Nationally)
Maryland -.6 (224th Nationally)
Free Throw Attempts:
Ohio State 364 (194th Nationally)
Maryland 485 (6th Nationally)
3 pt FG %:
Ohio State 38.3 (41st Nationally)
Maryland 37.0 (73rd Nationally)
Buckeyes to Know:
D’Angelo Russell – 6’5, 180 lbs, Freshman Guard. Averaging 19.4 ppg, 5.2 boards, 5.1 assists. 44% from 3, on 6.4 attempts per game. 79% from the foul line.
Marc Loving – 6’7, 215 lbs, Sophomore Forward. Averaging 11.3 ppg, 3.8 boards. 48% from the floor.
Amir Williams – 6’11, 250 lbs, Senior Forward. Averaging 6.9 ppg, 4.7 boards, 2 blocks. 71% from the floor, on 3.6 FG attempts per.
Shannon Scott – 6’1, 185 lbs, Senior Guard. Averaging 8.1 ppg, 6.7 assists. 26% from 3.
Best Wins:
#23 Indiana, Michigan
Worst Loss:
Iowa
Overall Thoughts & Prediction:
Ohio State probably should win at home. The Buckeyes look to be a quality offensive team, and capable enough defensively. The number that jumps out to me the most is their strong turnover margin.
For the Terrapins to leave with the W, Trimble has to match Russell – with Wells and Layman (who had a horrible game last year in Columbus) have to impose their will.
75-70 Buckeyes.
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.