Maryland Minute 12.02.09 - MD/IU Notes

by Ben Goldstein on Dec 2, 2009 7:48 PM EST in Maryland Minute Comment 10 comments

Tom Crean would prefer Indiana fans not use naughty language - The Dagger

Indiana fans were calling Greivis Vasquez a thing that begins with p and ends with y. - Ben B.

The switch to zone might have saved the game for the Terps. Just another example of Gary Williams being one of the best in-game coaches in the country.

MD/IU Wrap up - Indiana Official Site

One interesting note: The Terps actually out-rebounded the Hooisers, 43-41. Gotta give a lot credit to freshman Jordan WIlliams who brought in 11 boards.

Choi provides helping hand - Terrapins Insider

Yeah, okay, I guess JSC can provide some minutes. But wow, he's tough to watch.

Choi played only eight minutes Tuesday night, but his role was valuable nonetheless. He subbed in frequently for Milbourne late in the first half when the Terrapins were on defense. He didn't stay in long, but he kept Milbourne from picking up a third foul. Choi was credited with one point and two rebounds on the night, and in fact, Maryland's entire bench tallied just six points.

- Ben B.

An Early Look at Next Season (FB)

The two most intriguing games to me are against Navy in Baltimore and against West Virginia. These two teams (and Virginia) are the closest thing that Maryland has to a rivalry in football. The Terps should be playing Navy and/or WVU every year.

Notes and quotes about Friedgen - Tracking the Terps

The best one comes from Jared Harrell, a senior defensive lineman.

"We never took a day off. And a lot of that is because of the big guy," Harrell said.

It's good to see the players standing up for their coach. Maybe the anti-Fridge talk will motivate the team next season just like the anti-Gary talk motivated his team last year.

Men's Soccer to Face UVA Friday

A trip to the Final Four will be on the line when the Terps take on UVA Friday night at 7. I don't know if there's another soccer team I'd rather beat en-route to the Final Four.

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Same old Clemson

Up by 20 and still find a way to lose. Hope that doesnt cost the ACC its unblemish record.

by ccrun1800 on Dec 2, 2009 10:42 PM EST reply actions

Wisconsin beats Duke...

…and suddenly our losses in Maui to a ranked Cincy and a soon to be ranked Wisconsin don’t look so bad.

by Terps2K6 on Dec 2, 2009 11:20 PM EST reply actions

Yup

On the down side, the ACC loses its first ACC/Big Ten challenge. Still, I’ll take a Duke loss any way I can get one.

by Ben Goldstein on Dec 2, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Yep...

Wisconsin is a very good, well-coached team who is always tough at home. Ben, I admit I was conflicted over whether to cheer against Duke given the ACC/Big 10 challenge riding on that game. Then I came to my senses and realized it was DOOK. And I thoroughly enjoyed their beating.

by jellisjenius on Dec 3, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you Big 10

You finally f*cking came through in this thing while allowing Maryland to get one of the ACC’s wins. I’ve only been pulling for that result for the majority of this decade.

Is Jerry Angelo fired yet?

by ES46NE10 on Dec 3, 2009 4:52 AM EST reply actions

best in-game coaches in the country?

that’s def a stretch. i would say that’s his biggest weakness. i would say he a great season-long coach with his emphasis on team defense and team character. i have seen him over the past several season fail to recognize shooters and i question his subs. gary is great but his success is over the long haul, not game by game.

by umdeagle on Dec 3, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I would agree

that Gary is a great season-long coach but he’s also pretty highly regarded in terms of Xs and Os. It’s hard to quantify the “best in-game coaches” but among the experts, he’s up there. In terms of Gary’s biggest weakness, I’d say recruiting and it’s not even close.

by Ben Goldstein on Dec 3, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

This is pretty subjective...

But while I agree that his biggest strength is long-term development, in-game strategy is pretty close. It strikes me that GW has improved in this area in recent years, and he was already up there. I dare say not many analysts/observers of UM basketball would agree with you that he’s not one of the best. I think of him, Bo Ryan, Coach K in that category, maybe a handful of others that are up there but not as established. I’ve questioned his playing time decisions here and there, but in terms of X’s and O’s he is most definitely one of the best. There’s a reason why we have been consistently good at running plays off timeouts, and coming out strong in the second half of games.

by jellisjenius on Dec 3, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think were are good at in-bounds plays at all. Occasionally we get a good look, but that happens for everyone due to defensive lapses. These plays usually consist of throwing it beyond half court, which is sometimes risky. However, this tendency could be conscious strategy in order to set up the offense from the top of the key, which is fine.

The only real weakness I see is when we are behind in close and late situations. We haven’t been good at this in years (since 03-04). Of course not having Drew Nicholas anymore could be a factor.

by ivan24 on Dec 3, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

In-bounds plays are just as much about execution as coaching…and a smart opposing defense can make it difficult. Some of GW’s teams have been very good at in-bounds plays, more recently not so much. That’s not what I mean by plays out of time outs, in any case.

I’m not sure where you get the idea that we have been weak in close/late situations. Just last year alone, there was GV’s 3p at the buzzer against Vermont that put the game into OT (we won); both GT games which we trailed at different points late in the second half; and seriously, how could you forget the UNC game which we trailed literally the entire game until Greivis tied it with 8 seconds left in regulation? Even the NC State game (1st rd of ACC Tourney) we trailed with less than 5 minutes left. So I don’t see how that assertion holds up.

by jellisjenius on Dec 3, 2009 11:30 PM EST up reply actions