MD moves to 6-3; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Terps moved to 6-3 overall, with an 11 point victory over Eastern Kentucky.

Up 16 points early, Maryland went into a prolonged scoring drought that allowed EKU to get back into the game. The Colonels would make 11 three-pointers, and turn the ball over just twice in the 2nd-half, to keep it close.

While tested, Maryland made the plays necessary down the stretch to pull away for the win.

The Good:

1) Maryland fought their way to the line 22 times, and made 18 of their attempts.

2) The Terps came into today with 3 players shooting above 50% from the field in Mosley, Milbourne, and Hayes. All 3 of those players had over 11 shots today.

3) Milbourne rebounded from a poor performance against Villanova, with a lot of determination today. Overall he finished with 19 points, 9 boards, and 2 blocks.

4) Hayes buried 4 more 3 pointers, and also contributed with 5 boards.

5) The Terps won on the boards 37-26.

6) Maryland had 6 blocked shots.

7) Only 9 turnovers for the Terps today.

8) Vasquez had 20 points, 6 boards, and 5 assists. He was able to knock down his runner on 4 or 5 different occasions. He missed his first five 3 point attempts, but when he was needed; he hit back-to-back shots. When he was 0 for 5 from 3, and that 6th attempt was going up, I was screaming at the TV for him to stop hoisting shots. His willingness to take those attempts, are part of what makes him a great player.

9) In his first game of his Junior season, Gregory hit a couple of jumpers, and had two blocks.

10) With his time limited due to the return of Gregory, Jordan Williams still contributed with 5 big rebounds.

11) Bowie received the start due to Vasquez being late for a team shoot-around. Bowie conbributed with 6 boards, and 3 assists.

12) The Terps were tested against a team that had already won 7 games, and proved at Pittsburgh they could stay in a game against a Major conference team. Tied at 60-60, the pressure could have gotten to Maryland, and this game could have had a different result. We could be talking about this game, like fans of Louisville are talking about their home-loss to Western Carolina tonight; instead we get to discuss how the Terps accepted the challenge, and made the plays necessary to win.

The Bad:

1) Jordan Williams was coming off of a 19 point, 12 rebound outing against the number 3 team in the country. Seeing him move to the bench for the return of Gregory was one thing, seeing him limited to 9 minutes for the game was another. It bears mentioning that EKU had bigs that could shoot, and Gary Williams might have felt more comfortable about Gregory having the athleticism to get out on the shooters.

1a) I am excited about Gregory’s return, with the idea that it adds a glue guy with athleticism to the lineup. However, if Gregory returns, and Padgett gets zero-time, you have not really gained anything but the knowledge you have another 5 fouls available to you off the bench. Jordan Williams has to play more than 9 minutes, and Padgett (who had been averaging 16.4 minutes) has to play some.

2) Maryland got a large early lead, and seemed to think the game was over. While I am happy this Terp team was mentally strong enough to handle some adversity and win, I am irritated they allowed EKU to get back into the game.

3) I am in no position to question Coach Williams, and as I have said numerous times, he is my favorite person in all of sports. That said, I do not understand what is going on with Cliff Tucker. I do know that when Terp players become chained to the bench or receive limited time (4 mts for Tucker today) it is usually because of a perceived lack of effort in practice. Tucker can play. He averaged 20 points a game against National Champion North Carolina last year. He is one of the better athletes on the team. Whatever the issue is, needs to be addressed.

My real take is that you have a chicken vs. the egg type of argument. Williams probably perceives a lack of effort from Tucker in practice, and Tucker is probably questioning his role with the team, that effects him in practice. I think Williams needs to acquiesce here and find a way to build Tucker up. If Tucker’s play (and practice habits) do not improve with increased time, then you can again chain him to the bench.

The Ugly:

1) When Maryland needed a defensive stop today, I did not feel they were capable of making it. They benefited from some bad EKU shots, and to the credit of Maryland, won on the glass. EKU should not be capable of coming into College Park, and shooting 47% from the field.

2) We have talked about the lack of top-shelf athleticism for the Terps, and I think it shows at times with the pressure defense. Maryland has been able to turn teams over for years, because they had better athletes than the opposition. Some of the best players on the roster this year, are not superior athletes.

I do think the pressure defense can be adjusted some as the season progresses. When Coach Williams wants to increase the tempo, and force some turnovers; I think he should go with a lineup that looks like Bowie, Tucker, Milbourne, Padgett, and Gregory. That group is as quick, and athletic as any opposing 5 players they will face.

Whenever the offense goes into a funk like they did in the 1st-half today ( 7 minute scoreless drought), or they want to take advantage of a weaker team, that group of 5 should receive some minutes together.

Up-Next:

The Terps are off from now until December 22nd when they face Winston-Salem.