The Maryland Terrapins will be able to hang at-least one banner this year, as they have won a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title, with their 74-68 win at Virginia today. Duke figures to win tonight at-home tonight over North Carolina, but if Tar Heels pulled the upset; Maryland would have the title out-right.
Frankly, while I will not complain about Maryland hanging a banner; the ‘regular-season’ ACC championship loses a bit of luster because of the lack of round-robin play. If everyone is not playing the same-schedule, it does seem a bit silly to claim a champion.
What does matter to me, is that the Terps found a way to win 13 ACC games this year. People can talk all they want about the ACC being ‘down’, but it is still the ACC. It is no worse than the 3rd best conference in the country, still a league that is going to probably send 6 teams to the NCAA Tournament, and the only league in the country where all members have a Sagarin (Jeff Sagarin / USA Today) rating of Top 80.
Today was not a great game for the Terps, but the bottom-line is that they found a way to win*, as they have done consistently during this conference-season.
*I understand that the Terps might not have won today without the Technical foul on Tony Bennett, but his demonstrative actions were over-the-top. Typically I do not think a T should be called on Coaches late in close-games, but you can not run on the court and throw your jacket.
The Good:
1) Vasquez was stuck on 10 points, and had missed his first 5 shots of the 2nd-half, before he got on a run. He hit three straight 3-pointers, and again showed a willingness to take the tough shot. I know some will also point to his rushed and bricked 3 point attempt, and his turnover during that stretch; but both were cases were Vasquez was simply trying to make a play. That desire, is the reason he will probably be the Conference Player of the Year.
2) Bowie followed-up his 9 point outing against Duke, with another 8 points today. He hit two more 3 pointers today, meaning he has made 7 of his last 8 attempts from behind the arc. At one point this year I never wanted to see him take another shot from the outside – now he is shooting around 35% from 3 point-land. It is great to see that Bowie continued to work, and has again found his confidence. As I have said all season, Bowie and Tucker being able to come off the bench, is an advantage for the Terps.
3) Milbourne had another game where he was held under 10 points, but at-least he was active on the glass with 7 rebounds. After being held to 2 rebounds in his previous 3 games, this was good to see.
4) The Terps were 20 of 26 from the foul-line.
5) There were so many MD fans at the game, you could hear the chant of ‘air-ball’ when one UVA player missed the rim.
6) 15 offensive-rebounds for the Terrapins, led to a number of easy 2nd-chances.
The Bad:
1) I was half-expecting a hangover from the game other-night, and a closer than expected result. However, once Landesberg was ruled out of the game (and done for the season) I thought MD would run away and hide. While I give UVA some credit for playing inspired on their Senior Day, the game was uncomfortably close late because Maryland played poorly defensively.
UVA shot 53% from the floor, which is just not acceptable. Zeglinski is not capable of doing anything but hoisting 3’s, and was allowed to get off 8 shots. The Terps were not getting beat physically, they were just not mentally involved.
Maryland survived that lack of intensity/focus today, but they will not win another game this year with such a passive performance.
The Ugly:
None. Not a great game for the Terps, but they get to head back to Maryland with the W. They end the regular-season with 7 consecutive wins, and 13 wins in their last 15 games overall.
Up-Next:
The ACC Tournament starts Thursday in Greensboro, but Maryland has earned a 1st-round bye. If Duke wins as expected tonight, MD will be the 2nd seed, and take on the winner of the 7/10 game. Before any changes that come from games this afternoon, or tomorrow – that would have Maryland facing the winner of Georgia Tech, and North Carolina.
Either team should have the full-attention of the Terps. Georgia Tech would have left College Park with a victory, if not for the Tucker buzzer-beater. They will clearly feel like they can beat the Terps on a neutral floor. They will also be playing to cement a bid into the NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina is playing for pride at this point, and that is plenty of incentive. When the ACC Tournament tips-off, the slate is wiped clean for UNC. If they play Duke competitively in Durham tonight, and beat Georgia Tech; they will be plenty motivated to beat Maryland and continue to ‘survive’ another-day.
For Maryland, they get to take advantage of their January game at UNC-Greensboro, which should help lead to increased familiarity with the building, and give the Terps greater comfort in the surroundings. If Maryland wins just that 1st-game in the Tournament they will at-least be a 5 seed in the NCAA’s, and possibly a 4th.
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.