Due to the Blizzard, tonight’s University of Maryland game against Virginia has been rescheduled to Monday.
How will this help, or hinder the Terps?
While teams prefer to play every several days, there is the benefit that Maryland can turn their entire focus on to the match-up vs. Duke this Saturday.
Starting Saturday, the immediate schedule now looks like:
2/13 @Duke
2/15 UVA
2/17 @NCST
2/20 Georgia Tech
Even with a rested team, and additional preparation; Maryland still figures to be the underdog in Cameron. So the real impact of this rescheduled game will be felt after the Blue Devils.
Before the game against Virginia was rescheduled, Gary Williams and his staff had probably already started preparations for the Cavs. That will help when the Terps again start preparing for UVA on the trip home from Duke Saturday night.
UVA is only 1 game behind Maryland, so it is important for the Terps to protect their home-court. Even if their legs are tired, the home-crowd will be a help.
The game that I begin to worry about is the road trip NCST. The Wolfpack is just 2-7 in-conference play, including a 24 point loss at College Park. I have looked at this road-trip as a solid Maryland win for awhile. Between having the UVA game Monday, and traveling to Raleigh Tuesday; there is not going to be a lot of time for scouting. The Terps are going to have to rely on their preparation from the previous match-up, and for their Senior Leadership to carry the team on the road.
By the time the Terps come home to face Georgia Tech, Maryland will be facing their fourth game in a week. The Terps will probably have been able to get in a day of rest, and scouting, so that will help. It is the only game this year vs. the Rambling Wreck, so again it is important to defend the home-floor.
I guess my initial question, of will this rescheduling help or hinder MD is not-important. It can not be changed, so the team will have to adjust. What is clear, is that after these four-games, we are going to a firm understanding of where this Maryland season is heading.
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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.