What a sad way to end a great season. There is no doubt we will never know how this game might have ended if Melo didn’t first receive a shoulder shiver from Nathan Adrian and then was accidentally kicked in the head by Damonte Dodd. The Terps were only down by 3 when Melo went out in tears. As usual he was playing brilliantly. With all the turnovers and steals the Terps were still in the game after Melo knocked down a trey.
Once Melo went out the Terps had trouble getting the ball past half court Only the horrific shooting of the Mountaineers kept the game in reach. After getting an unfair seeding the Terps had but one day to prepare for 40 minutes of hell from WVU. Dez and Jake combined for 13 turnovers and Pack was way overmatched in these conditions. The need for a 2nd ball handler was glaringly evident.
When all was said and done, WVU was just better then the Terps on this night. And thus a great season comes to a close. I would have loved a shot at Kentucky but let’s be real the overmatch is so strong our chances were minimal.
Let’s give kudos to a great Freshman performance by Melo. I feel privileged to have watched this young man grow into one of the best guards in the nation. I am already anxious to watch his growth next year. Add to it another point guard in the JC transfer Jaylen Brantley, a real power forward in Robert Carter, the return of Jake Layman for his Senior year, the growth of Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley into their Sophomore year and what you have is a preseason top 15 team. Dodd and Chekko both have steadily improved as the year went on and Ivan Bender will be another big joining the show.
Hats off to Coach Turgeon and his staff for navigating this team of overachievers to a 28-7 record, of which many of the wins came during sound last minute strategy and yes a bit of luck.
Most of all we must thank one of the classiest guys to don the Terrapin uniform —Dez Wells. Whereas his final game was not not indicative of his tremendous Senior season, this team would have been nowhere without his leadership and clutch play.
One losing game will never take away the joy this season brought to Terrapin Nation. Well done!!!!!!
freddy from boca
a terrific season ended in disappointment but hats off to the terps as the red-white-black and gold returned to the dance after a 4 yr absence.
too many turnovers, no one creating good shots for others, too many w.va offensive rebounds and not enough trips to the charity stripe along with the untimely injury to the only terp who can handle the ball doomed the terps.
next yr should be better with carter giving md an inside game. dodd and checko should be improved along with melo, wiley and nickens coming back for their sophomore seasons.
· 11/12/2019
polarbear
MD was down 7 when melo went out. Dez did not show much class in thi sgame when he had to be restrained by a coach for talking smack to Daxter Miles
· 11/12/2019
Michael in Boca
A nice turnaround season by an overachieving band of turtles.
Still surprised more wasn’t made of the devastating pick on Melo. It was a flagrant shoulder shiver to his turned head, which should have been a flagrant foul. That was where he sustained his concussion, not the inadvertent sneaker to his head, which only exasperated the concussion.
Also the lack of penetrators other than Melo makes the Terps too easy to defend.
Jake is still too timid and anxious to get rid of the ball, as in Smotrych.
So many athletic talented players now throughout the ncaa tourney.
Hopefully next year with expected additions and possibly one sterling one up front , the future is certainly a lot brighter throughout the Md athletics programs.
· 11/12/2019