The University of Maryland returns to action this afternoon against Eastern Kentucky.
While this is obviously a game the Terps should win at home, the Colonels are not a team to overlook.
Eastern Kentucky enters the game at 7-2 overall, and 1-1 in their Ohio Valley Conference.
Of particular note, EKU has already shown they can travel to a major conference team and compete. Last month against Pittsburgh, EKU only by 11.
In that 71-60 loss, the Colonels only turned the ball over 8 times. Three of their players scored in double figures, with 6’7 Forward Justin Stommes dropping 24 points.
Pittsburgh won that game in-part because they dominated on the boards 43-22, and because they had 24 trips to the foul-line, while EKU had only 7.
Pittsburgh is typically a strong physical team, that plays trapping defense. If they had trouble forcing turnovers, Maryland might struggle with that as well. If that is the case, the Terps are going to need to win convincingly on the glass, and get to the foul-line.
Things to Watch:
1) Today represents the return of Dino Gregory. I think it will be very interesting to see who starts at Center today for the Terps. Gary Williams had said in the pre-season, that Gregory had progressed and deserved to start. Jordan Williams took advantage of the time missed by Gregory to average 24.1 minutes a game, with 8.4 points, and 8.6 rebounds. Coming off of a 19 point, and 12 rebound game against Villanova, I do not see how you can move Williams to the bench. Williams will continue to receive major minutes regardless, but I would want to continue to pump him up and build his confidence.
2) After his 26 point explosion against Villanova, Sean Mosley is leading the team in scoring. He is shooting a ridiculous 64.3% from the field, with 5.3 boards, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals. I want to see him build on the ‘Nova game, and continue to actively look for his shot.
3) Cliff Tucker was averaging 7 points a game after the first 4 games of the year. Since then, his scoring average has fallen to 5.3 a game overall. Tucker averaged 38% from 3 last year, but is shooting just 22% from deep so far this season. I would like to see him bury a couple of jumpers, and get going as a scorer off the bench.
4) Adrian Bowie is not playing well coming off the bench. I liked the idea of the Terps being able to bring the athleticism of Tucker, and Bowie off the bench, but it is not working at this point. I think Gary Williams has to consider switching the roles of Bowie and Hayes.
Hayes has proven he can handle coming off the bench, and still find a way to produce. Bowie just looks more comfortable as a starter. I think about the games against Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest when he was a Freshman, I think about his game at Miami last-year. He just looked like a different player starting, playing with more confidence and attacking the rim.
I think I would like to see this switch made, and hope it turns the light on for Bowie. For the Terps to come-on, and become a dangerous team; Bowie and Tucker are going to have to improve and produce consistently.
By the way, this is in no way a knock on Hayes. Hayes is having a great year offensively, shooting 51.5% from the field, 50% from 3, and 86.7% from the line. In the last 3 games against Wisconsin, Indiana, and Villanova Hayes is average 15.6 points. I love what Hayes is giving the team this year. I just think Bowie is more comfortable as a starter, and you need him producing.
5) Milbourne should be highly irritated after his game last week against Villanova. The Senior Forward was limited to just 4 points (and 4 shots) against the Wildcats. There should not be a game where he does not get 10 shots. Milbourne is shooting 56.6% from the floor, 50% from 3, and 83.3% from the line. Milbourne needs to fight-hard, and get to the charity stripe.
6) Vasquez should be thinking about finding his teammates, getting rebounds, playing defense, and getting to the foul-line. If he does those things, he will positively impact the game.
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.