WBB: Maryland at Clemson 2/9

So in the comments on another FanPost someone suggested and I subsequently volunteered that I could do posts for the remaining WBB games (kinda like a preview that can become a recap in the comments after) where I could give a more in-depth look/detail for those who are interested. I received some positive feedback to do this, so here I am. We’re heading into the home stretch of the season, and things are about to get very interesting.

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Your #8 Maryland women’s basketball team will be traveling to Clemson tonight for a 7 p.m. match-up. Clemson is not a good team; in fact, they are just 2-8 in ACC play and 6-15 overall. Duke blew them out by 40+ not too long ago. The Terps are coming off a solid 12-pt. road win at #22 Georgia Tech Monday night.

Clemson has just 2 players averaging double figures – Nikki Dixon with 11.6 ppg and Quinyotta Pettaway with 10.0 ppg and 7.4 rpg. Really only two of their players regularly shoot three-pointers, and neither shoots well from the behind the arc. As a team, they only shoot 35% from the floor, and only average 48 points a game. Knowing this, I’ll be disappointed if we allow them to reach 50. Our defense needs to be better overall, and teams like Clemson really shouldn’t be scoring even 40 on the #8 team in the country. We played good D against Georgia Tech, so let’s see if it carries over. I’ll feel much better for the Miami game with a good defensive showing tonight.

Offensively, I’ll be looking for the Terps to get a lot of people involved. Too many times it seems, only a couple of players a game are having solid nights offensively. For example, in the GTech game, Hawkins and Thomas accounted for 70% of the points. Laurin Mincy (13-14 ppg) didn’t even score, and only took five shots. Maryland has a lot of players who are capable of having big nights offensively though, which is a testament to their depth and multiple ways to beat you. The game against Clemson should allow people like Brene Moseley, Whitney Bays, and Kim Rodgers to see more playing time. Solid bench production is going to be important for the Miami game Sunday, so tonight could be a good lead-in to that.

Feel free to share your thoughts here before the game, during the game, and of course after the game! Go Terps!