Lineup changes
As expected, Gary Williams made some changes in his starting lineup tonight against Michigan.
Dave Neal was at center in place of Braxton Dupree, and Adrian Bowie started for Sean Mosley.
The interesting part was that Dupree, who had started all five games, and Cliff Tucker, who had started the first four games before giving way to Mosley last Sunday, didn't get off the bench until Tucker came in with 5:58 to go.
The changes didn't last, though. Neal was taken out quickly in favor of Jerome Burney, who came out nearly as fast for Dino Gregory. Mosley got into the rotation early, and seems to be finding some offensive rhythm.
With Maryland trailing 23-14 and having trouble with Michigan's 1-3-1 zone, Bowie and Mosley are helping bring the Terps back into the game. A three by Mosley, Maryland's first after missing his first seven and the first of his college career, made it 23-19.
Michigan picked a bad time -- at least for Maryland -- to start hitting threes. Shooting under 28 percent from the field this season, the Wolverines keep burying them. Michigan made six of 14 in the half and the Terps just one -- Mosley's -- for 11. Maryland trails at halftime, 35-27, and there've been no Dupree or Jin Soo Kim sightings yet.
Stay tuned.
Oh, I forgot, the game is on ESPNU.
Comments
Dupree apparently missed class Monday and was subsequently held out of tonight's contest.
Posted by: Terp Insider | December 3, 2008 11:15 PM
Sliding by Michigan is not really a great omen of things to come later. Let's hope a few of the youngsters and Neal grow up quickly or we may miss the NIT and go to the NOT this year.
Posted by: GregA | December 4, 2008 12:36 AM
Michigan is not that bad, so I wouldn't call it sliding by. Ask UCLA how hard it is to slide by Michigan. They should keep Dupree on the bench and teach him how to make a three foot hook shot. 5-2 with the schedule is pretty good and they should win the next six.
Posted by: dave | December 4, 2008 10:07 AM
Hmmm. Go Terps is THE man. Before the Georgetown game Go Terps said on this blog that Gary should go to the three guard offense. He did. After the loss to Georgetown, Go Terps said Neal should replace Dupree and that Bowie should be playing more. Heaven forbid, Gary must read the BLOG or I know hoops. That's exactly what Gary did. Hey fellas, need another blogger that calls moves before coaches make them? I will admit I still don't get why Tucker is in the doghouse and even though Bowie didn't have a good game, both of those guys should be getting more time and Hayes should be coming off the bench. Maybe that will be Gary's next move?????
Posted by: Go Terps | December 4, 2008 1:46 PM
Oh....just for fun, here it is...the post predicting Gary's moves.........from Dec 1
First, I'll take some credit for suggesting on this site that Maryland had to go to the three guard offense after the loss to Gonzaga in order to get their best players on the court. Gary did exactly that against Georgetown. Frankly, a four guard offense similar to Villanova might be their best bet. Spread the floor, ditch the flex, press non-stop and run the Princeton (Georgetown) offense. Why Gary sticks with Hayes is anyone's guess. Why he is dissing Tucker is anyone's guess. Why Gary keeps rotating in players is anyone's guess. Play your best six or seven guys. Problem is, right now, Hayes and Dupree are starting and neither should be. Maryland's best players are as follows:
Vazquez
Milbourne
Bowie
Mosley
Tucker
Neal
Dupree
Burney
Hayes
Kim
Move one: Remove Dupree, start Neal. At least he can catch the ball, can shoot a three and plays with heart.
Remove Hayes and start Bowie or Tucker. Both have shown flashes of brilliance. Both can score in transition. Both play defense. Both can create their own shots.
Then, get out and start recruiting. Maryland needs a complete overhaul. Part of that is on Gary. Stop screaming. Start coaching. The flex is one offenseive option, not the only offense. Play zone. Man to man is great if you have the talent. You don't Start coaching and lose the stubborness.
Posted by: Go Terps | December 4, 2008 1:50 PM
I do not understand why Cliff Tucker is not getting more minutes. I think he has the potential to be a productive player. I feel he is shootling better this season. I think he was a little overwhemed last season. Maybe, bench Eric Hayes and put Tucker in the starting lineup.
Posted by: gordon Powers | December 4, 2008 7:09 PM
Go Terps is clueless and knows nothing about basketball! First of all, Gary already said before the season started he was going to play a three guard rotation and Neal did start last night against Michigan!! Secondly, you need Hayes out there because he can handle the ball and and can hit the 3' from outside-he is not shooting well now but he will come around be patient!! Finally, the only way MD Can stay in games this year will be shooting the three well that is why Hayes is important-they are going to get destroyed down low by most teams especially Wake Forest, UNC and Duke in ACC..
Posted by: terptime | December 4, 2008 8:58 PM
Hey Terp Time. What planet are you on? Neal started against Michigan, his first start of the year, just like I called it. From, the University of Maryland's official website:
"Starting for the first time this season, Neal scored the game's first basket and later hit a jumper in the lane to put the Terrapins up 12-10."
Go Terps 1, Terptime 0
Gary did say they might play some three guard offense this year, I just said he needed to do it now and shoud START three guards. He did.
Go Terps 2, Terptime 0
Dude, Hayes is not a starter in the ACC. That doesn't mean he can't play at all. Bring him off the benchto launch some three, but start the players that can create points and can hang defensively, which Hayes cannot.
Go Terps 3, Terptimes 0
Game, set, match.
Posted by: Go Terps | December 5, 2008 11:53 AM