Duke Proves Too Tough
Just like I said the Terps needed to take care of the ball and defend the perimeter to beat the Dukies. Unfortunately that's easier said than done. They were unable to complete either task as they turned the ball over 19 times and allowed Singler, Paulus, and Co. to knock down 12 threes. However, give the Terps credit for how they came back in the second half... something most teams wouldn't be able to do at Cameron Indoor. But it seemed as if Vasquez was the only player who showed up to play for this game... dropping 25 points on his way to winning the co-ACC player of the week honor. James Gist has to play better than he did at Duke if the Terps are going to make a postseason run. But looking at the bright side of things, at least someone was able to beat Duke. Congrats Wake Forest.
Terps Take 'Noles
After a lackluster first half, the Terps turned things around by outscoring Florida State 50-32 in the last 20 minutes to move to 7-4 in the ACC. Great performances all around, but the most surprising and refreshing thing to see was the great play from Landon Milbourne. All you have to see is this sick dunk (posted below) over FSU's Uche Echefu... who is making Youtube publicity for all the wrong reasons. To go along with Milbourne's pure athleticism is a silky smooth jump shot and underrated defensive play. If he continues to develop, he could be putting up some big numbers the next couple years.
Frese Delivers two boys, Lady Terps deliver two wins.
First off congratulations to Brenda Frese for giving birth to two baby boys. Brenda's pregnancy has been a hot topic all season and now that its over the team can focus on basketball. Despite some of the distractions and coaching changes the Terps are a top 5 team with a 27-2 record. Last week they continued the exceptional play with a blowout 78-51 win over BC and a big win at Duke (something they haven't done in 8 years). I don't think there are too many people out there who are happier than Brenda Frese right now.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Terps on a Roll
I try to remain postitive and hopeful with my sports teams when I can. But I'll be the first to admit that I though the Terps season was over after they fell to 0-2 in the ACC with a one point loss to Virginia Tech. They couldn't pull out close wins and they were always playing down to their competition. Thank God I was wrong. Now Maryland is 6-3 and looking poised for a tournament bid. The turnaround didn't come after the American loss or even the aforementioned heartbreaker in Blacksburg. It came at just 5 minutes into a home game against Wake Forest. At the time it was the biggest game of the season for the Terps. However they came out flat once again and were trailing 13-4. Then all of a sudden it clicked. Gary Williams said or did something to round the troops and they proceeded to go on a 16-2 run and never looked back. Besides a second half lapse against Duke, the Terps have been flawless since that season-turnaround game.
Graceful Greivis
Greivis Vasquez is a star. Yea I said it. His play last week was in one word... dazzling. He always loves the thrill of silencing opposing crowds which he did at BC with a game-high 25 points. Pretty hard to top that huh? Well he found a way to do just that against NC State when he tied a team record with 15 assists. Not only that but he doesn't feel he has to yap his mouth anymore after every made shot. It's clear that this kid is maturing before our very eyes.
Gist looks to be 1st team All-ACC
James Gist has flown under the radar his entire college career. But now it's time people show him some love. All the MAN has done is average about 19.6 PPG in ACC play and he just dropped 30 on NC State. Besides Hansbrough there is no big man in the conference playing better.
Time for the Dukies
Maryland has to have the first game against Duke in the back of their minds. That game got away from them and everyone on the team knows it. Maryland has a great chance to exact revenge tonight. They always play well in Cameron (won 2 of last 3 there) and they proved a couple weeks ago they can dominate the undersized Devils in the paint. Look for a heavy dose of Boom and Gist. If Maryland takes care of the ball and guards the perimeter well they should win.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Let's Get Started
Introduction
My name is Jeremy and I've been a die hard Maryland Basketball fan since as long as I can remember. I'm currently a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland looking for a career in sports broadcasting. Hopefully you'll be watching on ESPN 10 years down the line. But for now you'll have to settle for me griping about the ups and downs of what is Maryland Basketball.
Memories as a Terps Fan
First thing I want to clarify: I'm not one of those fans just cheer for their team because they go to the school. I go further back than that.
I remember feeling like my heart was ripped out of my chest when Duke came back from a 10 point deficit with 50 seconds left in 2001 to demoralize the Terps. I was even more depressed later on that year when Duke came back from another large deficit to defeat the Terps in the national semifinal. I also remember the elation of the following season when I watched Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Steve Blake lead the Terps to their first national title. I also remember the joy of Maryland's improbable run to an ACC Title in 2004.
No one can argue that Terrapin basketball has been a rollercoaster ride over the years. Even before my time Maryland had its high and low points. From the great Lefty Driesell teams of the 70s and 80s to the Lenn Bias tragedy to the dark era under coach Bob Wade, Maryland has seen both ends of the spectrum.
The Here and Now
This season has been surprise, surprise... an inconsistent one. The Terps got off to one of the worst starts in recent memory with bad losses to Ohio and American at the Comcast Center. Then after a tough start in ACC play Maryland came up with the completely unexpected win in Chapel Hill over the #1 ranked Tar Heels. Maryland now enters a very important part of their season which will determine if they are NCAA Tournament bound. At 4-3 in the ACC Maryland looks to separate themselves from the middle of the pack with a win over a tough BC team. After that it's NC State and then Duke. Will we see the team that lost to American or the team that beat UNC during the final stretch? I can't wait to find out.
My name is Jeremy and I've been a die hard Maryland Basketball fan since as long as I can remember. I'm currently a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland looking for a career in sports broadcasting. Hopefully you'll be watching on ESPN 10 years down the line. But for now you'll have to settle for me griping about the ups and downs of what is Maryland Basketball.
Memories as a Terps Fan
First thing I want to clarify: I'm not one of those fans just cheer for their team because they go to the school. I go further back than that.
I remember feeling like my heart was ripped out of my chest when Duke came back from a 10 point deficit with 50 seconds left in 2001 to demoralize the Terps. I was even more depressed later on that year when Duke came back from another large deficit to defeat the Terps in the national semifinal. I also remember the elation of the following season when I watched Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Steve Blake lead the Terps to their first national title. I also remember the joy of Maryland's improbable run to an ACC Title in 2004.
No one can argue that Terrapin basketball has been a rollercoaster ride over the years. Even before my time Maryland had its high and low points. From the great Lefty Driesell teams of the 70s and 80s to the Lenn Bias tragedy to the dark era under coach Bob Wade, Maryland has seen both ends of the spectrum.
The Here and Now
This season has been surprise, surprise... an inconsistent one. The Terps got off to one of the worst starts in recent memory with bad losses to Ohio and American at the Comcast Center. Then after a tough start in ACC play Maryland came up with the completely unexpected win in Chapel Hill over the #1 ranked Tar Heels. Maryland now enters a very important part of their season which will determine if they are NCAA Tournament bound. At 4-3 in the ACC Maryland looks to separate themselves from the middle of the pack with a win over a tough BC team. After that it's NC State and then Duke. Will we see the team that lost to American or the team that beat UNC during the final stretch? I can't wait to find out.
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