Maryland beats Virginia Tech in 2OT; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The University of Maryland Terrapins overcame a 3 hour delay to the start of their game, and double-overtime to leave Blacksburg, Virginia a 104-100 winner over the Virginia Tech Hokies.

With the win, the Terps move to 21-7 overall, and 11-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference; and have set-up a game with Duke this coming Wednesday where plenty will be on the line.

Before thinking about next-week, it is important to do give justice to tonight. Greivis ‘ The General’ Vasquez missed 20 shots tonight, but did everything in his power to help his team to an important road-victory. This win is going to help MD’s NCAA Tournament seeding, and greatly improve Vasquez’s chances at being named the ACC Player of the Year.

The Good:

1) 41 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals, and just 2 turnovers for Vasquez in 48 minutes of action. He scored 33 points after half-time. For the game, Vasquez was 10 for 10 from the foul-line. As I said above, Vasquez has only helped his chances of being named the ACC POY, and should have reminded all of why his jersey will hang at the Comcast Center.

2) Jordan Williams has a rough-night shooting (4 of 13 from the floor, 1-5 from the line), but finished with 9 points, 15 boards, and 2 blocks. For all the talk about his conditioning, Williams was able to play 39 minutes tonight.

3) After 20 points Wednesday night against Clemson, Mosley followed that up with 17 points tonight. 6 of 8 from the floor, a perfect 4 of 4 from the foul-line, 7 boards, 4 assists, and a steal. Exactly the type of stat-line you want to see from Mosley.

4) Hayes hit a number of crucial foul-shots in the waning moments of tonight, and finished with 12 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals. What I liked best about Hayes tonight, was him finding his way to the foul-line 6 times.

5) Solid line for Gregory tonight. 6 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks during 32 minutes.

6) Maryland had 23 assists to just 11 turnovers. Terps also had 10 steals, and forced 16 turnovers.

7) Terps were able to get the foul-line 27 times, and hit 22 of their attempts.

8) The Hokies 3 best players – Delaney, Allen, and Hudson – all had good games, and Maryland was still able to give Virginia Tech their first home-loss of the season.

The Bad:

1) 22 attempts from 3 (including 15 from Vasquez) is too much for this Maryland team.

2) Milbourne was held under 10 points for the 4th consecutive-game. It is fair to ask if he has hit a wall, after dealing with bigger, stronger PF’s all year. The Terps need his scoring, perhaps his minutes are going to have to be limited from here on out.

3) At half-time of the NCST game in Raleigh, Maryland was down 10. At half-time of the Georgia Tech game, Maryland was up just 2. At half-time against Clemson Wednesday, Maryland was down 9. Tonight at half-time Maryland was down 6. Terps found a way to win each of these 4 games, but they need play better to start games.

The Ugly:

None. Maryland beat a team that was undefeated at-home, and grabbed their 11th conference win of the season.

This Terps team still plays with certain limitations, but they have the ability to play with anyone, on any-floor. Maryland is capable of making deep runs in both the ACC, and NCAA Tournaments.

Up-Next:

Duke arrives in College Park Wednesday night, for the official start to March Madness. The Blue Devils have beat the Terrapins in 6 consecutive games.

Wednesday night will be Senior-night, meaning it is the last home-game for Vasquez, Hayes, and Milbourne. You can expect the Terps to be rocking the Gold uniforms, and the home-crowd to be rocking as well.

Assuming Duke beats Virginia tomorrow, the Blue Devils will enter the game at 25-4 overall, and 12-2 in the ACC. This will be the opportunity for the Terps to pull-even in conference play.