Mixed night for the Terps. The men's basketball team broke a three game skid to roll over the Blue Hens of Delaware 76-46. Later in the evening, the football team lost to the Oregon State Beavers 21-14 in the Emerald Bowl.
Photo by BMT
The Sports Freak and I attended half of the BB game, literally, as traffic delayed our arrival to about 30 seconds left in the first half.
The game was nothing spectacular. The Terps moved the ball pretty well, even with the bench players in, but they were playing the Blue Hens, not the Blue Devils. This kind of play won't cut it in ACC play. They have a couple more tune up games before the ACC season starts up again. Hopefully they'll figure it out.
Over in San Francisco, the Terps started the game great, with 2 touchdowns in the first quarter. But with ugly play by both teams, contributing a total of 5 turnovers in just the 2nd quarter, the Terps never regained their momentum. It ends the Terps football season at 6-7.
While it was a mixed night, the BB win wasn't exactly satisfying. The were expected to beat Delaware, and they did. But while they kept the Blue Hens at bay, it did not feel dominating. That's concern for the upcoming months.
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Much like our friend "Q" described a chicken restaurant's wings as "thoroughly unsatisfying" the same statement could be made about the Terps win last night.
BMT, is absolutely correct in his analysis. The Terps half court defense was again late in its rotation and lack luster it its intensity. The score may seem low but the defensive intensity and effectiveness will be exploited in ACC play where the Terps won't have such distinct match up advantages.
In a game where scoring should be high, no one outside of the regular crew stood out. Md is still looking for someone else to add to the scoring mix and the clock is ticking. After two bad losses to Ohio and AU, .500 will not be acceptable in ACC play to be a bubble team making it into the big dance.
For this year's squad not recognized as a jump shooting team, it begs the question when are they going to learn to dump it down low and slash to the basket to earn some points from the free throw line? This would provide some added scoring, put the opposition in foul trouble, and allow the Terps to set up the press for more easy transition baskets which have been few and far between this season.