1) Jerome Randle, is an All-Pac 10 guard for California… described as being extremely quick off the dribble… I am sure he will score his points, and be a difficult match-up… I am also sure that he is not any quicker than either Ty Lawson, or Jeff Teague. He is also 5’10, and Vasquez has shown an ability to defend smaller guards. Can not imagine that Randle will defend Vasquez, as Vasquez would have an easy time getting to the rim, and posting Randle up.
2) Cal is one of the best 3pt shooting teams by %… MD is one of the worst 3pt defensive teams by %… I suspect this will be a non-issue, because MD’s 3pt defensive numbers are skewed. The numbers are skewed because the Terp guards and wings sag on opposing post-players to help with defensive rebounding. With Cal also having limited post-play, MD will be able to get out on the Cal shooters and mitigate their shooting efficiency.
3) Landon Milbourne has spent all season as a Small Forward, playing the Power Forward position. For the most part he has been pretty effective… averaging 11.6ppg, 5.3 boards, 1.1 blocks, 1.1 steals… He has scored in double figures 19 teams, including against Michigan, GW, Charlotte, FSU, UVA, Duke, Boston College, Miami, VaTech, and Clemson…
However, in 6 March games he is averaging 4.8ppg, and 4.8 boards a game… after scoring 19pts in each of the first two games against Duke, he scored 2pts in the ACC Semi-Final Saturday.
While he always plays hard, I think Milbourne is a bit tired after going against the ACC Power Forward trees all-season. Based on what we are hearing about the Cal post-players, I think Milbourne has an opportunity to do some damage, and regain some confidence.
4) In the ACC Tournament, Eric Hayes scored a career high 21pts vs NCST, and another 20pts vs Duke… for the last month, he has shown an increased willingness to drive the ball to the rim……. It is imperative that he continues to do that, because he will force himself to the foul-line where he is a 88% shooter for his career.
5) Dino Gregory came alive in the ACCT, having some his best games of the season since Michigan, and GW in December. In the 3 ACCT games, he had 18 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, and took a number of charges… he is another active big, that works hard on the glass and likes to play defense… he might have the chance for some easy put-backs Thursday vs Cal.
6) Adrian Bowie had a good sophomore season overall. He doubled his mts from his freshman season (12 to 24)… increased his scoring from 3.7ppg to 8.9ppg… increased his foul-shooting from 53% to 69%… Scored in double figures 14 times… including 23 at Miami, and 14 at home vs Duke… but his 3pt shooting dropped from 50% to 23.2%, and he slumped badly down the stretch after getting sick prior to the Feb 8th game at Georgia Tech.
I was very encouraged by his 10point outing Saturday vs Duke… that was the most energy he had played with since the previous game vs Duke at home. When Bowie is pushing the ball, scoring in transition, and taking the ball to the rack… MD is a different team. Because of his low 3pt shooting percentage, Bowie has been given open looks… if he could knock down a couple of open shots, it would really help this team.
7) Sean Mosley has become one of my favorite players… he plays much bigger and stronger than his 6’4, 210 frame would indicate. While he is not overly athletic, he is seemingly in the middle of every important rebound, or loose ball.
I had hoped he would be a stronger 3pt shooter, but that will be on the summer agenda after shooting only 25% (5 of 20) this year. He does shoot 73% from the free-throw line.
He is a freshman, and with freshman the main thing lacking is consistency. That is why he Mosley is capable of scoring 19pts at UNC one night, and not scoring at GaTech the next game.
What is consistent about Mosley though is his effort, which is always there. His 12pts, and 6boards against Wake Forest in the ACCT were huge, and a large factor of MD advancing, and securing an NCAA bid. His defense Saturday vs Gerald Henderson was also outstanding.
The Pac10 carries the reputation of being a finesse league… do not be surprised if Mosley imposes his will vs Cal.
8) If the Terps get past Cal, and have the opportunity to face Memphis – it will be an interesting game. Memphis will be the strong favorite with reason, but MD would not be intimidated. Memphis is not any more physically talented than either UNC, or Wake Forest… The longer a team like MD stays in a game like that, the more pressure Memphis will feel.
9) In two games against North Carolina this year, Cliff Tucker has avg 20 ppg, 5boards, 3assists, 2 steals, and 3 three-pointers made… in the 7 games since the UNC win… Tucker has scored a total of 17pts… would like to get Tucker going, and finish with at least one more strong-game. Cal and Memphis want to go up and down the court… this is a style of play built for Tucker… score a few easy buckets in transition, and get the confidence going… him scoring from the outside, can be a huge X-factor for MD.
10) Gary Williams is 10-2 in NCAA First Round games at MD, winning the last 8. In the two losses, MD lost to Santa Clara, led by Steve Nash…. And to the College of Charleston… who was ranked in the Top 25, but received a 12 seed in the tournament.
Vegas agreed with my initial thoughts of the MD/Cal game, and has made the line a pick’em… That is fair, and probably the right analysis… still, as a Terp fan I like MD’s chances with Gary Williams having a chance to prepare.
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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.