Thoughts from Blacksburg: Maryland 104, Virginia Tech 100
Sorry for the late up, everyone. The game getting pushed back kind of threw off my plans, and I didn't get home til about 2:00. At that point, I was not firing up the computer.
Because this doesn't really require a recap of any sort (Maryland won by four in 2OT, as I'm sure you've heard) I'll just jump straight in to thoughts.
Greivis Vasquez. Greivis Vasquez. Greivis Vasquez. Greivis. Vasquez. A career-high 41 points and an overall outstanding game. The point total tied him for third most in a single game in Terp history, and the most since Len Bias matched his total in '86. When fans started chanting "U.S.A." when he was shooting free throws and struggling a little bit, I leaned over to the person next to me and muttered "Greivis would probably deny it, but pissing him off isn't a good idea." Was that it? Probably not. But it did make me look really smart.
This was a statement game for him, both for Maryland history and for the ACC player of the year race. If this doesn't get him ahead of Scheyer, I'm not sure what will. It's worth noting, too, that he only had 2 turnovers all day. For someone usually criticized for his inconsistency on that front, he was very careful with the ball.
Anyway, Vasquez was simply outstanding, but you already know that, so I'm not going to go on and on about it. Most of the rest of the team was quiet in the point total, but Eric Hayes and Sean Mosley deserve commendation for their performances. Mosley was the catalyst early on when Vasquez was struggling a little and nailed the final two free throws, and Hayes was ridiculously clutch with a late shot and a bunch of late game-sealing free throws.
Jordan Williams was actually great as well; I swear, as soon as he starts knocking down free throws he'll be a machine. He had 15 rebounds, provided arguably most of Maryland's only interior defense, and had 9 points. Had he made a few more FTs, it would've been a double-double - its just another reminder that he will be great in a year or two.
As a team, they showcased some amazing persistency. When there are three comeback wins, you begin to think that there's some mojo behind this team. Maybe its the senior presence, or Greivis Vasquez's will, or something else entirely, but they do not go away and have a ton of fight in them. That's standard for a Gary Williams team, but it's always fantastic to see.
Turnovers were under control. For the most part, defense was admirable (though does anyone know how to stop the ball?). Shooting was solid. The only real negative, and it was a small one, was defensive rebounding; although J-Dub helped to even it out, Virginia Tech (particularly Jeff Allen) had a stretch where they grabbed simply every single offensive rebound they could, and that would've been the main culprit had Erick Green's shot gone in. It's something we've come to expect as well, but one could think it would be fixed by now. To be fair, a lot of those rebounds were long bounces, so it wasn't entirely Maryland's fault. Fortunately, it didn't matter in the end, and Jordan's presence started to curb some of those rebounds; Maryland ended up with just a 7 board deficit, negligble in a game this long.
One closing note: the VT student section is kind of embarassing. They were loud, though not defeaning, but they were amazingly unoriginal. Booing Vasquez is overdone; "Sweat Gary Sweat" was Duke's; saying "Sucks" after a player's name is Maryland's deal; "USA" was Florida State's and still untasteful; and "Left Right Left Right" is done everywhere. Seriously guys?
Anyway, it was another ACC road win, and you'll welcome those any way they come. This game was a joy to watch, and it was a great day to be a Maryland fan. Onwards to Duke.
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Sorry to disagree with you Ben but Jordan did not provide the only interior defense, Dino did just as much if not more. I don’t care what he’s listed at, he plays like a 7 footer. He, for my money, is our best defender. I think his contributions tend to get overlooked a lot because he looks shaky at times with the ball and plays kind of herky jerky but like I said, he plays great defense, hits open shots, and is money at the line.
That's fair
I watched the game as a fan and didn’t do much analyzing until afterwards, so a lot of things slipped my mind when writing this post. I now remember Dino’s two or three blocks – you’re right, he did provide a lot. I still think J-Will provided the most because Maryland ran much better with him in the game, but it’s fair.
Dino
frustrates the hell out of me. He has moments of extreme brilliance but I feel like it’s always tempered by really bad plays. In the past I’ve felt like the game moves too fast for him but, to be fair, he’s looked a little more solid lately. Hopefully he’s catching up from his late start.
Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth.
-Ambrose Bierce
video highlights
cant find them anywhere…checked the basketball site, espn, comcast with no luck…anybody know the deal/
You can watch the full replay on espn360...
Which is what I just did after being unable to watch it last night. There’s nothing like watching a sweet game like this with the outcome not being in doubt. I enjoyed every minute of it, especially looking at the fired up student section and imagining their sad faces at the end…
by jellisjenius on Feb 28, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions
mosely
did u miss the part where mosely tried to call timeout when we had none left? he clearly tried but was fortunate enough that the refs called va tech for the foul instead
Chris Webber.
Ahhhh, the DC memories.
Sean seems like a smart basketball player. Chris Webber was a lot of things, but a smart player he was not.
wow ...
What a game for the traveling terps … after all the time delays, several missed charging calls on vt and some mental mistakes … the Terps played a very non-panicking, patient game. The 2 mental errors (imo) came when Cliff Tucker (?) had the ball under the vt basket for an inbounds play after a time out late in the game and vt picked off the pass and the other was when everyone thought Hayes made a 3 and let the vt guard dribble all the way in to tie the game.
Now for the good stuff … this team just never gave up … they were much more patient than I was while watching this exciting,thrilling game. They just seemed to know how much time there was and what they had to do to win … they know how to wring out every last bit of thrill into each play …
Thanks to GW in getting these Terps ready for vt and thanks to RAYCOM for televising this exciting game … Go Terps !

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