Terps running out of chances
It was hard to watch Maryland at times during its 87-76 loss to no. 19 North Carolina Sunday night in Chapel Hill.
Not only were the Terps totally out-rebounded by the much taller Tar Heels front line, but they seemed sluggish at times, too, and out of sync offensively.
Jordan Williams pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds and finished with 16 points, but looked slow and awkward down low. He said he had been up all night with a stomach problem, and it showed.
Freshman guard Terrell Stoglin's career-high 28 points kept the Terps in the game -- the kid is absolutely fearless running the court and going to the hole, even though he still makes bad decisions from time to time in terms of forcing shots and passes.
But what's hampered the Terps all year is the inconsistent play they're getting from seniors Cliff Tucker and Adrian Bowie and junior Sean Mosley, three guys who were being counted on heavily this season.
Mosely, one of the hardest workers on the team and a great kid, seems to have totally lost his confidence on offense. He passes up easy outside shots and seems uncertain how to finish when he attacks the basket.
Tucker and Bowie also disappear offensively for long stretches at a time, putting even more pressure on Williams and Stoglin to score.
A pleasant surprise of late has been the play of senior Dino Gregory, who scored only four points against Carolina but had been much more of a force down low in Maryland's previous games.
The Terps battled until the end against Carolina, but they would have had to play a perfect game to beat the much taller Tar Heels.
Now their long-shot bid to make the NCAA Tourrnament comes down to this: two more regular seasons games (against Miami and Virginia) and the ACC Tournament.
They pretty much have to run the table the rest of the way. And the way this team is playing now, that doesn't seem likely at all.
Comments
Feinstein was right with his post-game remarks: this disappointing season is on the shoulders of the seniors. I DO NOT want to read how they've been dissed with an invotation to the NIT. You have not beaten anyone so have some pride and try to win some NIT games rather than bow-out in the first round, proving you don't belong there either. As a long time Terps fan (over 35 years) I did not expect much this season but I did expect the seniors to play with heart and to provide senior leadership that was AWOL again last night.
Posted by: G Mac | February 28, 2011 2:09 PM
headline should read "Gary running out of chances".
Posted by: stalker | February 28, 2011 7:26 PM
The stats were very even. The Terps stats belie a problem. Their rebounds, assists, FG% and PPG are unbelievable. So we know that ain't the story. They weren't out rebounded in this game. But the total assists were ugly.
Terps 12-9-4-13
Tar Heels: 23-8-9-11
That's Assists/Steals/Blocked Shots/TO's
They looked stunned except for Stogglin. Let's face it they were kept in the game by Roy.
Posted by: Billy Fastenal | March 1, 2011 7:46 AM
its been a tough season but not completely unexpected with so many talented but raw newcomers on the team this season. they had 5 close loses to ranked teams. i think they have a shot if they not only get to the finals of the acc tournament, but play a great game even if they don't win.
Posted by: space | March 1, 2011 9:45 AM
Agree-- NIT, here we come . . . . again!
Posted by: csquare | March 1, 2011 10:55 AM