It has been three and a half years since I last picked up my scratch pad and critiqued a Terp game so I guess you could say that I am also back. I didn’t lose my enthusiasm for the Terps or give up my season tickets which I have had for 45 years. I lost the love of my life, my wife Arlene and my desire to sit in front of the computer for an hour or so and write my thoughts down via email. I might add that it has been a long and hard three and a half years for the Terp basketball program also. It is a miracle that by now the little patch of gray in Coach Turgeon’s hair hasn’t turned completely gray. He has some how survived and apparently righted the ship. The saying “ addition by subtraction ‘ certainly applies to the Terp basketball program.
After handily winning two exhibition games and three cupcakes the Terps headed for their first tournament of the year and their first real competition of the year against a very good Arizona State team, both coming in at 3 and 0. Tied at 73 with a little over a minute to go Dez Wells hit a jumper from the foul line after a feed from Melo Trimble to give the Terps the lead for good and three free throws later the Terps had an impressive 78 to 73 win, giving them the opportunity to play in the championship game against the second game winner a powerful and 13th ranked nationally Iowa State team. Melo Trimble the star studded freshman point guard led all scorers with 31 points on 7 of 11 from the floor and 12 of 13 free throws.
As if playing the 13th ranked team in the nation wasn’t an imposing enough challenge the place was packed with Iowa State fans but the young Terrapins came out poised and confident, took the lead at the 4 1/2 minute mark and lead the rest of the way to stun the partisan crowd and veteran Iowa State team with a 72 to 63 victory. The Terps at one point had the lead up to 15 and if not for some shaky play in the final minutes from our usually reliable Dez Wells, three turnovers and several ill advised shots, 5 for 20 from the field, would have certainly won going away. Dez will still be our go to guy as the season progresses.
Trimble finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and first team all tournament and tournament MVP. Wells had 14 points, 9 boards and first team all tournament. Graham who started after playing only 1 minute the night before scored 4 points, the first two buckets of the game and gave his usual 110%. Layman, who is living up to his advanced billing as a budding super star had 15 points and 6 rebounds. Cervoski the 7’1” center from Slavakia and is improving by leaps and bounds had 4 points and 8 boards. Dodd had 4 points and 5 boards. Both big men are causing havoc for opposing players inside. Nickens the used to be skinny small forward, reportedly he has gained 20 pounds since arriving on campus had a terrific night going 6 for 10 from the field and 3 for 7 from beyond the arc for 15 points. Nickens is not bashful offensively and I think will be a real favorite with the Terp fans. Pack who has had a couple subpar nights finished with 2 free throws for 2 points. He will be fine !!!
The Terps held Iowa State to 29%, 19 for 64 from the field including 6 for 27 from three point range. It appears that Maryland football will be able to hold their own in the Big Ten, currently 7 and 4 and a 8 point favorite against upcoming Rutgers and the basketball team I think will do the same.
Taters, Terpman 2
PS – Had a senior moment and forgot Wiley who chipped in with a three !!!
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