All the big conference teams schedule "cupcake" games against mostly local and some regional smaller conference teams to start the season. Maryland is no different there. The problem is the William & Mary Tribe were scheduled. The Tribe beat the Terps 83-77 in a game that the Terps were never really in.
The game can be summed up in two easy parts. Poor shot selection and bad defense. During the first half, many shots were taken outside and not in the paint. Even shocking was what seemed to be unrealistic 3 point shots. This Terps team has more 3 point shooters than past teams, but many of the outside shots were taken when Eric Hayes, Maryland's specialist, was on the bench. Overall the team took shots that didn't go down, didn't draw a foul, and the Terps had no one under the basket to grab the rebound. On defense, it seemed that the Tribe had six men on the floor as one man was always open. They appeared to be the ACC team in the house, taking the ball into the paint for points.
While this an upset, as pretty much all CAA over ACC games should be labeled, we should look closer at William & Mary. The Tribe had already beaten Wake Forest earlier in the season, which may have given them the edge since they had already seen an ACC team at work. This is a bad loss now that may be lessened later in the season if it is proven William & Mary can be a contender.
The Terps need to bounce back. Only over a week before the ACC season begins. Not much time to re-group.
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