Testudo Times - Alex Len’s Top Games as a TerpSB Nation's award-winning Maryland Terrapins sitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50025/testudo-fav.png2013-06-27T14:00:06-04:00http://www.testudotimes.com/rss/stream/42250752013-06-27T14:00:06-04:002013-06-27T14:00:06-04:00Alex Len’s Top Games as a Terp: #1 Kentucky
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<figcaption>Jason Szenes</figcaption>
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<p>With Alex Len set to be drafted – possibly as high as No. 1 – in the NBA Draft on Thursday, we’ve decided to take a look at Len’s Top 5 games in a Maryland uniform. This is the final part of a five-part series.</p> <p><i>Leading up to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, we're going to take a look at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145665/alex-len">Alex Len's</a> best games as a Terrapin. At number one is a the game that put him on the map.</i></p>
<h3><b>#1: Kentucky 72, Maryland 69</b></h3>
<h4><b>November 9, 2012</b></h4>
<p>You knew this was coming.</p>
<p>I'm sure there wasn't a single person waiting on pins and needles to find out what I believe Alex Len's best game as a Terp is, because we all know what it is.</p>
<p>His 23 point, 12 rebound, four block performance against Kentucky.</p>
<p>The Terps might have lost that game, but boy, did Len gain a lot. This game is where Len made the money he's going to receive in his first contract after being drafted tonight. This game is one of the biggest reasons why he might go No. 1 overall.</p>
<p>I remember standing in the Barclay's Center as Maryland was making its second-half run, screaming after Len made one of his ten buckets on the night, and turning to my mom.</p>
<p>"Do you know how much money he's making tonight?!"</p>
<p>I also told her he was good as gone after the season. That game was all I needed to see. He put all the question marks about just how much he improved over the off-season to rest right from the get-go, on the national stage, with an abundance of NBA scouts in attendance.</p>
<p>He also set up extremely high expectations for his season in the minds of Terp fans everywhere. Unfortunately, he would never quite live up to them. The Len that dominated <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175893/nerlens-noel" class="sbn-auto-link">Nerlens Noel</a> and had everyone buzzing would show up in flashes for the rest of the season, but never consistently to that level again. However it should be noted, of course, that he was playing through injury for much of the second half.</p>
<p>Yet for Len, the damage was done. It was only one game, but he had validated his potential. He showed the nation how good he could be, going toe-to-toe with the former No. 1 high school senior and coming out affirmatively on top, which has surely been noted in Cleveland draft rooms. Granted, it was Noel's first collegiate game, but with neither available for pre-draft workouts it's the only direct comparison available.</p>
<p>Alex Len may not have delivered the season we all dreamed of after that November night in Brooklyn, but he did give us some lasting memories and was a great Terp. Testudo Times wishes him the best of luck at the next level.</p>
<p>Check out some of Len's best moves from that game: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IknKniuYCic" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2013/6/27/4470816/alex-len-maryland-top-games-nba-draftMolly Geary2013-06-26T13:19:47-04:002013-06-26T13:19:47-04:00Alex Len’s Top Games as a Terp: #2 Duke
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Alex Len set to be drafted – possibly as high as No. 1 – in the NBA Draft on Thursday, we’ve decided to take a look at Len’s Top 5 games in a Maryland uniform. This is part four of a five-part series.</p> <p><i>Leading up to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, we're going to take a look at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145665/alex-len">Alex Len's</a> best games as a Terrapin. At number two is a leading role in an instant classic.</i></p>
<h3><b>#2: Maryland 83, Duke 81</b></h3>
<h4><b>February 16, 2013</b></h4>
<p>Alex Len's second best game as a Terp came at one of the most opportune moments. With Maryland's rival Duke (despite what Coach K says) in town for what was deemed likely the last time the Blue Devils would play in Comcast Center for some time, stakes were high. The Terps, coming off a bad loss to Virginia, were desperate for a big time win to put on their resume, and Duke represented their last chance in the regular season to get one.</p>
<p>Len hadn't scored more than 12 points in a game in nearly a month, and had let <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99793/mason-plumlee" class="sbn-auto-link">Mason Plumlee</a> get the better of him (aside from, you know, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLlQpMpgB14">this</a>) in Maryland's previous game down in Durham. But none of this seemed to matter when the Terps took the floor that night, because whether it was the crowd, the opponent, or Mark Turgeon telling him all week that he was Plumlee's little brother, Len transformed himself and played with assertiveness that Terp fans hadn't seen since Brooklyn.</p>
<p>He gave Plumlee fits all game until Duke's big man fouled out, limiting him to just four points, all of which came in the first half. Len also grabbed nine rebounds and added three blocks to his stat-line. He was equally as impressive on the offensive end, scoring 19 on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting and hitting all but one of his eight free throws.</p>
<p>He did all of this with point guard Pe'Shon Howard suspended and with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/178393/seth-allen" class="sbn-auto-link">Seth Allen</a> having a rough time handling the ball in committing eight turnovers. Allen, of course, made up for himself with his 16-point output - including the game-winning free throws, but it was Len who had the greatest impact on the win. His performance led the Terps over the Blue Devils for the first time since 2010, a victory that brought Turgeon to tears in the post-game press conference and that gave Maryland's season new life.</p>
<p>I imagine Len considers this win one of if not the greatest moment of his Maryland career, and the feeling of being swarmed by a sea of students will be a memory that will likely last a lifetime.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2013/6/26/4466970/alex-len-top-games-maryland-nba-draftMolly Geary2013-06-25T12:02:31-04:002013-06-25T12:02:31-04:00Alex Len's Top Games as a Terp: #3 Alabama
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Alex Len set to be drafted – possibly as high as No. 1 – in the NBA Draft on Thursday, we’ve decided to take a look at Len’s Top 5 games in a Maryland uniform. This is part three of a five-part series.</p> <p><i>Leading up to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, we're going to take a look at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145665/alex-len">Alex Len's</a> best games as a Terrapin. Next is a dominating performance during the NIT.</i></p>
<h3><b>#3: Maryland 58, Alabama 57</b></h3>
<h4><b>March 26, 2013</b></h4>
<p>No. 3 on the list of Alex Len's best games as a Terp goes to his performance against Alabama in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament" class="sbn-auto-link">the NIT</a> quarterfinals. Mark Turgeon was itching for his young squad to grab a solid road win, and Alabama represented a team who went undefeated in the SEC at home and, like the Terps, narrowly missed the Big Dance.</p>
<p>The Tide had a small lineup with limited post presence, but as the season often showed, that wasn't necessarily a prelude to Len having a big game. He struggled to get involved in the game prior against Denver - amassing just five points and three rebounds - and with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/178393/seth-allen" class="sbn-auto-link">Seth Allen</a> out with a broken wrist Maryland would be down an offensive weapon.</p>
<p>Len responded with one of his most well-rounded games as a Terp, finishing with 15 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, and even two assists. He made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, and with Charles Mitchell, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99805/james-padgett" class="sbn-auto-link">James Padgett</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/178397/shaquille-cleare" class="sbn-auto-link">Shaquille Cleare</a> combining for just 21 minutes and six points Len provided a steadying hand in the post and anchored one of Maryland's finest defensive efforts all season.</p>
<p>He also played the role of late-game hero, making up for missing two free throws with 27 seconds left and the Terps clinging to a one-point lead by blocking <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145003/rodney-cooper" class="sbn-auto-link">Rodney Cooper's</a> attempt at a game-winning layup with four ticks on the clock. Alabama went on to miss one last shot attempt at the buzzer and Maryland had booked its ticket to New York.</p>
<p>Even though they went on to lose in the NIT semi-finals, gritting out a one-point win on the road surely helped this team grow, and Len played a large role in that. As Mark Turgeon put it afterwards, Len "was at a high level the whole game." Taking into account how bad his ankle issues must have been at this point in the season, it's easy to consider this one of his best efforts in a Maryland uniform.</p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2013/6/25/4462930/alex-len-top-games-maryland-nba-draftMolly Geary2013-06-24T20:06:10-04:002013-06-24T20:06:10-04:00Alex Len's Top Games as a Terp: #4 Northwestern
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<figcaption>David Banks-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>With Alex Len set to be drafted – possibly as high as No. 1 – in the NBA Draft on Thursday, we’ve decided to take a look at Len’s Top 5 games in a Maryland uniform. This is part two of a five-part series.</p> <p><i>Leading up to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NBA Draft</a>, we're going to take a look at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145665/alex-len" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Len's</a> best games as a Terrapin. Next is a solid performance against a future conference foe.</i></p>
<h3><b>#4: Maryland 77, Northwestern 57</b></h3>
<h4><b>November 27, 2012</b></h4>
<p>After narrowly losing to Kentucky and handling the beginning of their cupcake schedule, the 6-0 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/northwestern-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Northwestern Wildcats</a> were perhaps the only real test left on Maryland's non-conference slate. A win against the Cats was expected, but not guaranteed. There were questions about how the young Terps would handle their first true road test, and with Maryland announcing it's intention to move to the Big Ten the game took on special meaning.</p>
<p>Frustratingly but perhaps expectedly, the Terps struggled early on, getting beat on several backdoor cuts and managing just 28 points by halftime, when they led by two. Alex Len had fared for just four points in the half, and fans' frustrations with the big man were mounting. Where was the Len that had showed up in Brooklyn?</p>
<p>It turned out he wasn't far. After often looking apathetic in the first half, the Terps came out strong in the second, quickly making a statement that this game wasn't going to be one that went down to the wire. And it was Len who led the charge. With his team up two just a couple minutes into the half, he got the ball near the left block, drew three players on a dribble, spun, and dropped in a baby jump shot.</p>
<p>The very next possession, he once again asserted himself on the left block and got the ball, this time taking it straight in past the help man for a slam. Finally, on yet again the next possession he scored, battling through traffic to grab a missed three from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145659/nick-faust" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Faust</a> before laying it back up.</p>
<p>That third score sparked an 11-1 run for the Terps, and was just the boost the team needed. His six straight Maryland points were the turning point in the game, and while Dez Wells might have stolen headlines with his 23-point performance, Len's influence not only offensively but also defensively (13 rebounds, two blocks) in that game stand out as very significant. He was a leader, bringing just the right amount of flash when needed and providing a veteran presence during a game when many of his teammates were adjusting to playing in an opposing gym for the first time.</p>
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<p>Relive Len's mini second-half run, which starts at 0:30 in this highlight video:</p>
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<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Va5e5NHH9qw" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2013/6/24/4460964/alex-len-top-games-maryland-nba-draftMolly Geary2013-06-24T14:00:08-04:002013-06-24T14:00:08-04:00Alex Len's Top Games as a Terp: #5 Boston College
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Alex Len set to be drafted – possibly as high as No. 1 – in the NBA Draft on Thursday, we’ve decided to take a look at Len’s Top 5 games in a Maryland uniform. This will be a five-part series.</p> <p><i>Leading up to the NBA Draft, we're going to take a look at Alex Len's best games as a Terrapin. Up first, a dominant performance from this past January.</i></p>
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<b>#5: </b><b>Maryland 64, Boston College 59</b>
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<h4><b>January 22, 2013</b></h4>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145665/alex-len">Alex Len's</a> fifth-best game as a Terp came on a cold January night, the night before spring semester began. I remember my bus back to CP getting in late and rushing over to Comcast Center only to find I had pretty much my choice of seats on the wall despite arriving at game time. Needless to say, the atmosphere wasn't the greatest, and combined with a lackluster opponent in Boston College and a game at Cameron looming on Saturday, it easily projected as a trap game.</p>
<p>Maryland was also coming off losses in three of its last four games; a loss to the Eagles could have resulted in the season unraveling early. BC started four guards, and with Ryan Anderson the tallest Eagles starter at 6'8" Len had a significant height advantage on the floor.</p>
<p>In some games, we saw Len not take advantage of smaller line-ups, but against Boston College he asserted himself, scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds in the first half alone while Maryland as a team struggled, shooting just 37 percent en route to a 29-29 tie at halftime.</p>
<p>Len grabbed eight more rebounds in the second half to finish with a team-high 16 points (including three dunks) and 13 rebounds, the latter of which tied his career-high. It was also his fifth double-double of the season. More importantly, he played a significant role in helping the Terps grab a much-needed win in a tight game that is probably often overlooked when you look back on the season. Had the Terps lost that game and had the next two results held (losses at Duke and Florida State), we would've been looking at a 2-6 start in the ACC.</p>
<p>In a season where you often didn't know which Alex Len would show up, his elevated play on both the offensive and defensive ends in this win was critical, which is why I've picked it as one of his top five games as a Terp.</p>
<p>Check out highlights of the game, including two of Len's dunks:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nCP3B1UeFlc" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1372093964005"></p>
https://www.testudotimes.com/2013/6/24/4459604/alex-len-top-games-maryland-NBA-DraftMolly Geary