Before everyone panics, you are never as bad as you look when you are losing. I do believe that was the case tonight. Remember Maryland is not going to win every game on the road. Dodd was due to have an off game as he had been playing out of his mind recently. The entire team had an off night yet the Terps only lost by 7. The Terps are 14-2 and will be fine.
If you listened to Terp Talk tonight, you would have heard me express my fears about this game. The second it was announced that Rayvonte Rice, clearly the best player on Illinois was out, I knew the Terps were in trouble. The first game after such an injury teams always seem to rise to the occasion. Malcolm Hill has a super game game tonight (28 points on 9-18 shooting) but it was the steady play of PG Jaylon Tate that did the Terps in. In 31 minutes he has 10 points, 4 assists and only 1 turnover.
The Seniors were asleep tonight for Maryland:
Smotrycz 0-6 2 points 3 reb in 21 minutes
Dez 2-8 6 points 2 reb in 27 minutes
Pack 1-7 2 points 5 reb in 30 minutes
The Terps only were saved from a total blowout by Wiley and Nickens.
I would expect Nickens or Wiley to start instead of Pack on Saturday. Melo must have a shooter to compliment his game, for him to be more effective. Pack has not filled that role. Smotrycz has not been producing in his 20 minutes per game. Jon Graham is providing more energy in half of the minutes. But certainly this squad must get stronger showings from Dez to win on the road.
MSg to Melo–when the team is falling apart on offense take over.Next up–Purdue on Saturday afternoon on the road.
No comments have been posted yet, be the first!
Post a comment by filling out the form below.
