The Terps, 12-3 overall, 1-0 in ACC play, head to Miami to face the 12-3 overall, 1-1 in ACC play Hurricanes tomorrow night.
I have MD beating GaTech, UVA, BC, Miami, and VaTech at home for 5 wins… and going 3-3 vs GaTech, Miami (L), FSU (L), Clemson (L), NCST, and UVA on the road…
With MD beating GaTech, they have already put one to their side of the ledger.
If that scenario plays out, that gets the Terps to 8 conference wins, and places them squarely on the bubble.
Combine that with one win in the five games vs UNC, Duke, and Wake… and they will dance in March.
All of that conjecture gets you back to tomorrow night.
Miami who has been in and out of the Top 25 several times this year, represent a challenge for the Terps.
Wins against – Florida Southern (Division 2), Southern Miss, San Diego, Stetson, @Kentucky, Fla International, Robert Morris, @StJohn’s, North Florida, NC Central, FL Atlantic, @Boston College.
Losses against – Uconn (by 13), Ohio State (by 5), Clemson (by 19)
The Hurricanes are led by Senior Guard (and Baltimore native) Jack McClinton.
While I am sure someone holds that against Gary, lets remember that McClinton was at Siena (same conference as Loyola MD) prior to transferring to Miami.
MD was not the only program that missed.
For the year, McClinton is avg 16.9ppg, 46.5% from 3, and 85.2% from the line.
While I am sure Gary respects McClinton, I would wager it is the 6’8 240 Junior F Dwayne Collins that MD is game-planning for.
Collins avgs 61.1% from the floor, and a strong 7.8 boards a game. Dealing with his size will go a long way to determining MD’s success tomorrow.
He is the exact type of player, you would use Jerome Burney to match-up against, if Burney was not dealing his foot-injury.
In addition to McClinton, and Collins there is a supporting cast, that includes 4 other players avg at least 6.9ppg.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/teams/mav/stats
It is a new year, and there is only so much reason to focus on last-year – but the Terps have to have last years visit to Miami on their mind.
In that game, MD was right in it, down 3 with 5mts left – before succumbing to the pressure late and losing by 15.
This current MD team has been good about playing hard for 40mts, and I expect that will continue tomorrow.
Maybe the knowledge that a loss will not kill them, and a win can only help them, will remove any extra pressure they are carrying… and allow them to just play.
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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.