Terps over Samford; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

In a game not as close as the final score, the University of Maryland improved to 9-3 with a 75-63 victory over Samford. As the calendar flips to 2012, there will be lots of talk of new beginnings. With the return of Howard, and addition of Len; it is apparent that there is a new beginning under way for the Terps.

The Good:

1) Maryland took the early 4-3 lead, when Howard found Mosley in transition. The play started with Len grabbing the rebound, and making a strong outlet pass. It is great seeing that MD now has the ability to actually get out and run.

2) After hitting two early 3’s, Stoglin starting going to the rim. The Sophomore Guard put MD up 29-23 with a driving shot up and off the glass. When teams pull out to guard him outside, he uses his speed to split the defense. A 3 pointer to start the 2nd half, gave the Terps the 16 point lead. A 3 pointer out of a timeout, gave MD a 19 point lead with under 12 minutes to play. For the 2nd straight game he made six 3 pointers. Clearly he is benefiting from defenses having to stay home in the post and be honest against Len. Stoglin finished with 24 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists.

3) Pankey cleaned up a miss from Stoglin, and converted at the line to give the Terps the 15-9 lead. Pankey put MD up 50-38, as he backed down his defender to score. Pankey finished with 5 points, and 3 boards. I forgot to mention it the other night, but before the Albany game Pankey was interviewed by the Terps Radio network. He came across as a very likable player that understands what it is to be a good teammate.

4) The lid came off the top of the basket for Faust today. His first 3 came off a bank shot. He hit back to back shots from different spots of the court in the 2nd half to push the lead to 20. With a beautiful cross-over dribble, Faust was able to step back and hit an intermediate jumper. If the return of Howard allows Faust to now score with some regularity, that would be another ingredient which would allow this team to take off. Faust finished with 13 points, 2 boards, and 4 assists.

5) Len’s initial FG came with him claiming position in the blocks, and going up strong for a layup. That was quickly followed by Howard finding him in the lane, and Len throwing it down hard. Len made a couple of nice passes in both the interior, and on outlets today. An easy 13 points, 7 boards, and a block.

6) For the lack of a better term, there are players on good teams which do what is necessary to allow their teams to win games. Often times they are called glue guys. Sometimes they are overlooked, and do not get the regonition the ‘stars.’ I think Howard qualifes as such. Not a lot of scoring from Howard today (though he did have a nice shot off a curl), but he influenced the game in other ways. He knows when to run and push the ball. He knows when to pull it back. Howard finished with 9 boards, 5 assists, and a steal. 

7) Padgett cleaned up a Howard miss from the outside. Padgett had 3 points, 5 boards, and a block.

8) Weijs did a good job finding Pankey underneath the basket.

9) Parker got out in the open court, and threw down a big 1 handed slam. Was good to see, been waiting to see him get out in front of a fast break. 5 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals for the Sophomore.

10) MD controlled the boards 39-19, and finished 9 of 17 from 3 point land.

The Bad:

1) Samford’s initial basket came when Len bit on a pump-fake. After being called for a couple of goal tendings in his debut, Len was called for another today.

2) Up 27-23, Mosley blew a layup.

3) The first three minutes of the 2nd half featured 4 MD turnovers, including 3 on Stoglin.

4) Late in the 2nd half, Parker had a couple of ugly attempts from 3, on open looks. His shot may improve in time, but it is a bit shaky right now. I’d like to see him attack the basket every chance he gets. He has good size, and the ability to elevate. Instead of standing around waiting to take 3’s, I want to see him improve his intermediate game.

The Ugly:

1) MD was 12 of 20 from the foul-line, with Len missing 3 (5 of 8).