Maryland, coming off a first round loss in the ACC tournament, needed to win and they picked a good time to do it. Playing for the last chance to make a statement in the NCAA tournament, Greivis and company didn’t want to disappoint and they didn’t. The Terps played good defense and scored easily in beating the Cougars, 89 – 77.
The first half of this match-up was all about understanding the team they were playing. The Terps weren’t struggling but they also weren’t putting the game out of reach from the Cougars. Maryland exchanged baskets with the Cougars through most of the first half and thanks to the nations leading scorer, Aubrey Coleman 26 points and 8 rebounds, the Cougars were able to keep up. Jordan Williams kept Maryland in the game, coming up with his best game of the season scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Williams definitely benefited from Houston’s lack of size and looked like a man among boys.
In the second half, the Terps turned it up with a 16 – 5 run the first 4 minutes. They played better defense on Coleman, Kelvin Lewis (24 points) and ran their half court more efficiently. Maryland started to flow very well offensively and shots fell more easily. Vasquez and Mosley came into foul trouble, but with the help of Milbourne and Bowie (9 points) the Terps kept things going. Maryland held a rebound advantage as well, 47 – 26, which helped them to numerous second chance points.
There were a few keys to the game. First, the reemergence of Landon Mibourne (19 points and 7 boards) was a good sign. His effort was huge and contributions offensively were well needed. Second, Jordan Williams has become more than Gary had ever imagined. Having Williams inside to compliment Vasquez and Hayes on the outside has made this team a little more complete. Lastly, the Terps have become a solid team defensively. They alter shots, they block shots and just make it tough for teams to score. Gary always has had that in his teams, but this years team does it without much effort. Next on to Michigan State.
In my mind, this game was the perfect example of Maryland as a second half team. Houston hung tough with Maryland and even went into the locker room at halftime down two points. But Vasquez and Maryland play much better in the second half and they did just that.
I hope Maryland hangs tough with Michigan State, I'm a little more worried about that one.
I thought it was a good effort. They definitely moved wwell on offense and good consistenly good looks. That was helped by the fact that Houston may be the worst defensive team they played all year. If MD shoots the ball a little better from teh perimeter, they may have pushed triple figures.
Defensively the effort was just ok, to me. Houston was a quicker team than the Terps and they got to the basket repeatedly. The Cougars did benefit from a banked in 3 and the 40 foot heave, but MD was nto really able to pressure for many TO's. Again Houston had quick guards who handled the ball well and that will give MD trouble. To me the game turned when Anthony Bowie started guarding Coleman in the 2nd half. Bowie's quickness helped nuetralize him. He also seemed to tire out adn Greivis did a better job of forcing him left. He got to his right hand far too often in the 1st half.
JP,
Let us review the Big East…
Villanova? Done
Georgetown? Done
Louisville? Done
Notre Dame? Done
Marquette? Done
Can I now safely assume in that Villanova was the only one to play two games that the Big East was overrated?
I know WV and Pitt still remain, and I'm hoping WV goes all the way to Indy, but cmon, the first weekend and nearly all the Big East teams are heading back, well, EAST.
…and Syracuse, before someone points that out, but I consider them to be the next card to fall in the Big East house of cards.
Yeah the 'Cuse appear to be struggling to find their game right now.
JP,
I hear ya, but I wouldn't bet your mortgage on The Orange.
Gotta give Ol' Bruz some credit…He predicted an 83 – 68 first round win earlier in the week…Wtih 3.50 left last night, score was 83 – 69! On a side note, was interesting in the paper today to read WVU identified Reggie! Reggie! as the primary offensive weapon for Morgan State and took him outta the game…And yet Gary Williams — widely touted as one a the best in-game coaches in the business — left Reggie! Reggie! to hit six or seven three-pointers, including the game winner, at the Cable TV Center just 16 months ago?!?!?!?! Then again, whadda I know — I had Kansas to win this whole thing! 🙁
Bruz,
How about them Big East squads! 5 of 8 gone the first weekend!
Everyone has Kansas winning the whole thing! That was the bracket buster of all bracket busters.
What's the score prediction for tomorrow's match up?
I still think MD wins here in a barn burner. And who knows, with Kansas done in the bracket, MD could go further than expected…but, one at a time, MSU will be no push over…
MD 91, MSU 83