Cliff Tucker's Shot at the Buzzer Gives Maryland Win Over Georgia Tech, 76-74
by Ben Broman on Feb 20, 2010 4:25 PM EST
in Basketball
46 comments
When a game is in doubt for Maryland, most people look for Greivis Vasquez to take the big shot. And when Maryland was down by 1 with a second to go, it was Vasquez that took a half court shot for the win, and he banked it in off the glass - after Gary Williams called a timeout. The second time around, it wasn't Vasquez but Cliff Tucker that took that final shot, a three in the corner at the buzzer with a hand in his face - and he drained it. Maryland celebrated, fans went crazy, and Georgia Tech look dejected as Maryland won, 76-74.
This was a game that Maryland didn't have in the bag at any point in the game, unlike every other ACC game at home all year. Despite a 5 point lead late in the game, they simply never put Georgia Tech away and a 12-2 GT run gave the Jackets a 5 point lead of their own. After fighting back to retake the lead, Derrick Favors hit a shot with 3 seconds left to give Georgia Tech the lead. That lead, of course, wouldn't hold.
This is the type of game that big time teams win. There's no other way to describe it - this was a game that they needed to win, and they got it at the buzzer. At the end of the day, nothing is more important than a win, and that's what Maryland got.
It is worth noting, though, this was the second game in a row that Maryland looked less than great in. Rebounding was a major culprit. Georgia Tech had 21 offensive rebounds and 24 second chance points - Maryland had half that. That was a major key coming into the game, and it didn't work out the way Maryland wanted.
Fatigue, however, had to play a major factor - this was Maryland's fourth game in eight days, and that had to take a toll. For that reason, I'm not going to look into this game too much. They had a rough stretch, and I'd be very surprised if that wasn't the main reason for their play. Things will get better soon, I'm pretty confident. If anything, this should be more encouraging - they won a game when they were tired, and that says a lot about the team.
Because you always do good before bad in individual notes: Eric Hayes. Eric Hayes. Eric Hayes. The man is clutch. He had 5 straight points in the final 2 minutes that gave Maryland a three point lead. In the end, it wouldn't hold up, but this was a big game for him.
Oh, and Jordan Williams. I don't relaly know how good his entire game was, but that's because I can't help but remember anything but his final 4 minutes. He had multiple huge plays, particularly on the glass, and it's safe to say he's pretty clutch. Derrick Favors won the battle, but Jordan didn't embarrass himself and was the winner.
On the bad side, Sean Mosley's struggles continued, but other offensive options stepped up again, this time Dino Gregory and Adrian Bowie. Bowie has developed a semi-consistent outside jumper out of nowhere, and Gregory was nothing short of great today. He was a solid offensive option and his jumper was Milbourne-esque.
Speaking of Milbourne, actually, it was his presence, or lack thereof, that hurt more than anything else. He had only 5 points and was basically invisible for much of the game. Sure, he was okay on the boards, but not good enough to avoid a sizable GT rebounding lead. And his usually steady jumper rarely fell - he was a shocking 2-11 from the field. In a close game like this, you need some of those to fall. Second rough game in a row for Landon - hopefully his body isn't breaking down again.
Like I said: the win trumps all. And that's what Maryland got.
Oh, and before I forget: Cliff Tucker for captain next year.
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Ok
you guys need to go over to insidemdsports and check out the title of all the new threads. it hilarious.
by the way..
great atmosphere.. it was loud from start to finish
CLIFF TUCKER
Two years ago he was the freshman who had so much promise. I have been waiting for the day where he finally proved his worth. Two years was worth the wait. I am glad Gary trusted him.
Yeah there were a few guys sitting in front of me.
Don’t know who they were though.
please
tell me they got chubbies when tucker hit that
by word2bigbird on Feb 20, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
James Robinson will be big time
Good job getting an early start.
Anyone else know names? Haven’t found anything online yet.
A few GC kids, a Stone Bridge kid
is what I saw.
by s.r.genovese on Feb 20, 2010 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
the CLIFF TRUMPS ALL!
Still need the story on that timeout. Did Booth call it? HUEVOS! Would GV’s shot have counted?
When It Rains, It Pours
Wake got beat by NC State today, which puts Maryland back up at 2nd in the ACC. The chips really seem to be falling into place for this team. It didn’t make me toss my laptop across the room and high-five and chest bump everyone around like Cliff’s shot did, but it’s another big piece in this puzzle.
by moewiththegimpyleg on Feb 20, 2010 4:48 PM EST reply actions
apparently booth called the timeout
anyone else confirm that?
Makes sense
I saw Gary hit Booth in the chest as the team was going to the sideline after Greivis’ made basket.
by booth not boo on Feb 20, 2010 5:53 PM EST up reply actions
hit him in the chest?
That doesn’t sound good
"When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, so that my critics can kiss my a**!"
-Bobby Knight
Clarification
It wasn’t a punch and didn’t look malicious. It was with his palm, sort of a smack.
by booth not boo on Feb 20, 2010 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
Rewatched it on 360
Looks like he only hit his jacket. Still was yelling at Booth, obviously pissed.
by booth not boo on Feb 20, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
That was the best freaking game ive ever been to in my 3 years here. Comcastle nearly exploded!!!!!!!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I was at the UNC game last year and I’ve got say that this one was more satisfying. We overcame our own doing of getting killed on giving up offensive rebounds and the refs’ doing. I usually don’t complain about the refs because it evens out for the most part but there were at least 4 calls that were so obvious when I saw on the jumbotron. I’m just glad we made it out alive! SCOTT VAN PELT WAS GOING NUTS TOO, AMAZING!
Yea, those refs were horrendous. The two blown calls that stand out to me where the And 1 GTech got when Hayes was gaurding the guy on the fast break and the GTech player clearly pushed Hayes when going up to the basket. Then on another play, Williams had the ball under the basket and it looked to be stripped, but the replay showed that someone smacked J-Will on the arm. It pisses me off even more when the refs are assholes and fail to look at the Jumbotron to see their own mistakes.
They also called a 3 pointer good when the guys foot was clearly on the line. Alot of travels were not called either. Amazing that we overcame those idiots and won this game!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Either way
It was a lot less likely that GVs runner from almost half court would go in than a catch and shoot 3 from the corner. Looked bad at the time but hey CT made it a non-factor, just more exciting. Those type of shots never happen for Maryland, hopefully this gets them pumped up and we really can run the table, even though im not predicting that. Insane game, best shot ive seen since Drew Nicholas in the UNC Wilmington game.
OMFG!
If there was ever a time to use that stupid expression, its now. Everyone’s going to bentleys happy! haha
thanks for the link
couldn’t stop watching YEAH CT!
Terps TV
Listen to and watch Johnnie Holliday call the game highlights
href=“http://www.umterps.com/sports/m-baskbl/md-m-baskbl-body.html” >
AN unforgettable game
Unbelievable
I started yelling when it went in and had to wait a second to make sure it counted because i couldnt believe that could have actually gone in to win it
wow
have to love a recap after a win not mentioning GV aside from his non-3. Great job by the rest of the guys picking up the offense.
I would love to see a “standard” linup every now and then instead of the three guard lineup the team relies on. A front line of Williams, Gregory and Millbourne would help with rebounding and free up Millbourne. Millbourne just cannot handle playing the four spot when there are so many big bodies around. He is simply overmatched. So move him to his natual spot – the three.
Rebounding is the team’s achillis heel, even though they somehow find a way to win. So while it’s tough to make changes, the Terps have to find a way to get their bigger bodies on the court. Mosley is a great rebounder for a guard, but he’s not 6’8".
Besides, bigger is better.
Go Terps
I Agree
I had thought with Dino’s return we’d see LM play at least some minutes at the 3 (with JWill at 5 and Padgett or Dino at 4). It never materialized…maybe because of GW’s lack of faith in Padge? Maybe he just prefers a 3-guard set? I don’t know, but he may have to reconsider after we’ve been beaten badly on the boards in a few recent games. Grant killed us on the boards when we played at Clemson…we’ll see what approach they take to fixing that on Wed.
by jellisjenius on Feb 21, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
Hayes
Hayes really stepped up in this game too. Whether he was getting over the flu bug he was reportedly suffering from for the NCST game or not he made some key shots. His 3s were huge, but also the couple nice drives he had with insane finishes really got us points when we needed them, and from someone other than GV. His 3 pointer at the end to give us back the lead almost held up as the game changing bucket, but he still was another big guy in this game. Dino also with a solid performance, even though he missed that close shot towards the end, deserves a shout-out too. GO TERPS
Hayes was tremendous...
Really played well in every facet of the game, including defense. Shumpert hit a few pull-up 3s off the dribble on him in the first half, which was really frustrating because there wasn’t much he could do to better defend him. Otherwise, a near-flawless game including several clutch shots AND passes (a great one in transition to LM).
by jellisjenius on Feb 21, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Great game
I cannot say it was a better game then UNC last year considering the circumstances, but it was definitely the loudest. Such a huge emotional roller coaster from the Hayes 3, the GT bucket, the GV buzzer beater or not, the TO, and the Tucker 3…wow
"When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want them to bury me upside down, so that my critics can kiss my a**!"
-Bobby Knight
Big shot for Tucker....
Tucker… 9 minutes, 8 points….. When is Gary going going see that this guy has to be on the floor more… forget about is lack of defense, his some times bone head plays ( every one makes them now and then) Lord knows Greivis makes plenty of them. If given consistent playing time, not not 2 minutes here, 5 minutes here. I think he has gotten 15 mins the past 2 games. I think he could be a good scorer for this team, Which is something they needs..
Some acknowledgements regarding Gary's TO and the win
To the “mature” woman sitting four rows behind me that repeatedly shouted “Stupid f****** timeout, Gary!” maybe college basketball isn’t the game for you.
To the four guys that rushed out of Comcast when that TO was called, I hope you beat the traffic like you wanted but you missed a pretty good finish.
To my wife whom I really couldn’t hear above the celebration, yes it was Cliff Tucker that made the shot.
To the team, Gary, and everyone else in the program, thank you very much.
by wmterp on Feb 20, 2010 8:35 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
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