@ Duke 2/13

[EddieO's21]

It is now about taking this team to a new level. The terps have been playing well beating GT, BC, UVA and NC State but obviously these teams are no Duke.

Md always plays the Dookies tough at Cameron and I expect the same tonight. There are not many teams who can say they beat a number 1 and number 2 seed both on the ROAD! This game is crucial, and if UMD somehow pulls out the upset, I can see them vaulting to a 4 or even 3 seed in the tourney if they play solid the rest of the year.

It has been a while since I've been so nervous for a game but a few thoughts,

Vasquez- He is the key to this team. He really needs to keep his cool and limit his turnover. His productivity goes way up when he surveys the floor in the halfcourt (15 assists). A double double might be needed to beat this Duke team tonight. It seems as Greivis goes, so does MD.

Gist- He needs a tough every time down the floor. No one has exploited their small size this season. He needs to be our leading scorer tonight. Make something happen even off the dribble, but he should be the focus of the offense.

Osby- REBOUND, REBOUND, REBOUND...he should get 20 against this team. This stat will be crucial, Duke kills on second chance points

Hayes- Needs to be our spot up man and have a hot touch tonight. When Gist starts seeing the double teams, Hayes will most likely have some open looks. He needs to be on point to keep them honest

Milbourne- He has looked good at times from deep and in his driving ability. He may need to play a bigger rile handling the ball tonight. I see him needing to drain a couple big shots down the stretch. If he plays well it will be very tough for Duke to combat.

Tucker- Keep the fire going. When he gets his minutes he usually plays half way decent. 8-10 points off the bench tonight would be huge

Neal- Going to really need to get some good mop up time. I hate when he's in but he will have to rebound when Osby is out

[Mackus]

Just like the first game, I think the big matchup is Vasquez and Paulus. Both can be great, and both can be terrible. Paulus has been more consistent this year, but Vasquez at his best is better than Paulus at his best.

Gist needs to continue to dominate, and a big performance from Boom would help.

Somebody needs to slow down Nelson and we need to stop Henderson from having a big game.

If Gist, Vasquez, and Osby outplay Nelson, Henderson, and Paulus, then I think we win. If not, we lose.

[Ruzious]

I think defensively Maryland has to focus on limiting Nelson, because I think if you slow him down, you slow Duke down. Their other players are good - but complimentary type players at this point, imo. I'd be tempted to play Milbourne on him, because his length could really bother him - but Nelson might be too quick and crafty for him. I don't think Hayes can handle him, and the Terps need Vasquez to focus his energy on offense. Tucker might end up being the guy.

Offensively, pound it inside - just like they did in the first half of the game last time. Get their great frosh in early foul trouble.

[Mackus]

If anybody in the Baltimore area wants to me up for the game, me and a bunch of my friends are gonna be watching it at JDs in Canton. They also have 1/2 price burgers tonight, and their burgers are some of the best in town.

[glenn__davis]

Certainly should be interesting to watch. Despite what SG says, we outplayed Duke pretty well in the first half at Comcast. Of course, they outplayed us a lot more in the second half.

We have to do better defensively on the perimeter. We couldn't stop their penetration in the second half. Hopefully Hayes is fully recovered from his ankle injury at this point. Of course, hopefully Gerald Henderson won't hit pretty much every shot he takes this time around.

We also have to make sure Gist and Osby dictate inside. If Osby can't go hard the whole time, he needs to get some rest in the first half so he doesn't disappear in the 2nd like the first game.

I think MD has as good a shot as anyone of beating Duke at Duke, but -- I can't call it tonight. Duke 85, MD 77.

[DuffMan]

Duke is a 12 point favorite tonight..

In Maryland's last four trips to Cameron, Duke has been favored by 7 (MD won by 8), 13 (Duke won by 24), 12.5 (MD won by 9), and 13.5 (Duke won by 23).

Hayes is moving better latterally, and will not be exposed as much on defense as he was the first game…

Bowie and Tucker will get extended mts providing perimeter defense…..

MD turned it over 22 times the last game… if they can reduce that to 15-17, they will be in great shape.

I'd like the turnover count even less than that, cut it in half to about 10-12 turnovers. Duke does not need any extra opportunities with the ball.

[Sports Guy]

Zoubek got a few minutes of action against BC and has been practicing...Be nice if he can get in there, just to disrupt things and have him big body down low even if it is just for 10 minutes.

[Mackus]

Zoubek got a few minutes of action against BC and has been practicing...Be nice if he can get in there, just to disrupt things and have him big body down low even if it is just for 10 minutes.Yeah him stealing some fouls from Singler and Thomas could be big, although I don't think anybody inside for Duke can stop either Gist or Osby, or challenge them on the inside. Singler is a good player, but he's more of a face to the basket guy than a back to the basket guy, and isn't as likely to get either Gist or Osby into foul trouble.

A lot of things have to go right for Maryland to win, but I think they matchup well with Duke. We're athletic enough to stick with Duke (although I don't wanna run too much) and have a clear advantage inside. If Duke shoots lights out, it'll be real tough, but if they have another off night like the last game, it'll be very, very close.

[Sports Guy]

Yeah him stealing some fouls from Singler and Thomas could be big, although I don't think anybody inside for Duke can stop either Gist or Osby, or challenge them on the inside. Singler is a good player, but he's more of a face to the basket guy than a back to the basket guy, and isn't as likely to get either Gist or Osby into foul trouble.

A lot of things have to go right for Maryland to win, but I think they matchup well with Duke. We're athletic enough to stick with Duke (although I don't wanna run too much) and have a clear advantage inside. If Duke shoots lights out, it'll be real tough, but if they have another off night like the last game, it'll be very, very close.

The first game proved that MD can't guard Henderson or Nelson.

[Mackus]

The first game proved that MD can't guard Henderson or Nelson.They played great in the first game, but it doesn't prove Maryland can't guard them, just that they didn't do a good job of it the last time.

[Sports Guy]

They played great in the first game, but it doesn't prove Maryland can't guard them, just that they didn't do a good job of it the last time.
MD doesn't have anyone who likely will be able to stay with them. Now, as a team they can do better guarding them but that will likely open up other players.

Just as Duke doesn't have anyone for Osby and Gist...But it is why i want Zoubek in there some tonight...Just to be a presence.

[Mackus]

MD doesn't have anyone who likely will be able to stay with them. Now, as a team they can do better guarding them but that will likely open up other players.

Just as Duke doesn't have anyone for Osby and Gist...But it is why i want Zoubek in there some tonight...Just to be a presence.I do think we'd be hard pressed to guard Nelson, just slowing him down would be good. I think we can stop Henderson though. I think Milbourne is a pretty good physical matchup with Henderson, although if Duke goes small and Gist has to match up with him, he'll have trouble on the outside.

[Lucky Jim]

The first game proved that MD can't guard Henderson or Nelson.

Apparently sample size is only an issue in baseball.

[Sports Guy]

Apparently sample size is only an issue in baseball.

Athleticism and speed always carry over.

I need to watch CPat play 100 times to know he is fast.

[Lucky Jim]

Athleticism and speed always carry over.

I need to watch CPat play 100 times to know he is fast.

Okay. Well, I guess we'll see. I don't think the first game "proved" anything as a reliable fact.

If you think so, more power to you. I guess.

[Sports Guy]

Okay. Well, I guess we'll see. I don't think the first game "proved" anything as a reliable fact.

If you think so, more power to you. I guess.

Oh ok...Well then I guess Duke can handle Osby and Gist then, right???

[Lucky Jim]

Oh ok...Well then I guess Duke can handle Osby and Gist then, right???

Perhaps. I mean, if Gist and Osby come out passive. And Maryland does a poor job of getting the ball to them on the blocks. Sure.

Is it an advantageous match-up? No. And neither is Duke's athleticism for Maryland's backcourt. But it's certainly not the first time a backcourt at Maryland has been forced to match-up with superior athleticism at Duke.

Maryland's Blake/Dixon/Mouton combination wasn't particularly athletic, for instance.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I'm realistic. I know that the odds of winning aren't that great. However, I believe that if MD can hang with them and make it a good game, that will still look good to the selection committee. That's what I'm hoping for.

[Sports Guy]

I'm realistic. I know that the odds of winning aren't that great. However, I believe that if MD can hang with them and make it a good game, that will still look good to the selection committee. That's what I'm hoping for.

MD can win the game...Good guard play and a big front line that plays very well is a good way to win any game.

MD always plays Duke well because they are basically set up to compete against Duke's weaknesses, which is usually athleticism and big man presence and if Duke has a big man, it is usually only 1 of them....MD normally has a few guys capable down low.

MD is playing well and at times, are making it look easy.....They certainly have a chance and i am surprised at the point spread even though Duke is thrashing the opposition this year.

[Ruzious]

Apparently sample size is only an issue in baseball.
If Henderson shoots as well as last game (9 for 12), we all should give SG rep points. :cool: If he goes 4 for 12, that saves us 10 points, and we win! :002_sconfused:

[Eight]

Tucker and Bowie can certainly defend Nelson and Henderson. They didn't see a lot of minutes because Hayes and Milbourne are much better offensively at this point, but that was a coaching decision. Gary has two guys on the roster to guard those players if he wants to use them.

And no, Duke likely doesn't have the guys to guard Osby and Gist especially with Zoubek limited with injury and K using very small lineups.

[biggsy]

Bottom Line this game runs through Gist and Vasquez. Vasquez usually shows his best in big games so I expect a pretty big night, somewhere around 20-10-5. If Duke gets its usual Home calls and gets Gist and Osby in foul trouble MD could be in huge trouble, Dupree might have to grow up quick tonight.


There is only one gaurentee tonight, MD will get screwed by the refs on at least 5 calls tonight:D ha

[glenn__davis]

If Henderson shoots as well as last game (9 for 12), we all should give SG rep points. :cool: If he goes 4 for 12, that saves us 10 points, and we win! :002_sconfused:

Yeah, I alluded to that in my one of my posts as well, Henderson was really lights out in the first game, and a few of the times he was defended very well. If he shoots like that again it will be very difficult for MD. If not, I think MD has a great shot.

[Sports Guy]

Yeah, I alluded to that in my one of my posts as well, Henderson was really lights out in the first game, and a few of the times he was defended very well. If he shoots like that again it will be very difficult for MD. If not, I think MD has a great shot.

OTOH, Singler and Scheyer only went 4-17 and scored 11 points.

Duke also only made 6 3s in the game, which is 3 below their average and they have shot better at home this year than on the road I believe.

[Sports Guy]

It will also be interesting to see if Thomas can assert himself down low like he did against UNC.

[Sports Guy]

BTW, here are some game notes in case any of you are interested:

http://www.goduke.com/pdf3/109399.pdf?ATCLID=1387983&SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200


Have to listen to Patrick tonight talk about Duke....Yuck!

Even I can't stand that.

[glenn__davis]

BTW, here are some game notes in case any of you are interested:

http://www.goduke.com/pdf3/109399.pdf?ATCLID=1387983&SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200


Have to listen to Patrick tonight talk about Duke....Yuck!

Even I can't stand that.

Ugh. Might have to get Johnny Holiday going and hope the broadcasts are in sync.

BTW, isn't this "Rivalry Week" on ESPN? That's kind of humorous.

[Lucky Jim]

BTW, here are some game notes in case any of you are interested:

http://www.goduke.com/pdf3/109399.pdf?ATCLID=1387983&SPSID=22724&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200


Have to listen to Patrick tonight talk about Duke....Yuck!

Even I can't stand that.

Is this the OH equivalent of flying over a country and dropping pro-U.S. leaflets?

[bryanman8]

I need to watch CPat play 100 times to know he is fast.
You do?

characters

[BaltimoreTerp]

Dook vil lose.

(Hey, it worked against Carolina...)

[BustaJ2632]

Happy Birthday Coach K! (http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3105/collegebasketball1gl1.png)

(wonder if we'll hear ****ie V and Patrick mention that 61,000 times tonight...)


LOL AT VITALE'S NAME GETTING CENSORED!

[EddieO's21]

I fully expect a game called by ****ie and Patrick heavily loaded with Duke this and that and the occasional, "Williams is the most intense coach in the land"

Let's just hope the refs don't get in the way tonight

[Icterus galbula]

I wonder how long it'll take for me to hit the mute button on ****ie V and Mike Patrick.

Even the most objective man in the land has to admit they ride Duke like a 2 cent whore.

[Lucky Jim]

Very jittery opening for the Terps. They better right the ship or they're going to be out of it early.

[tywright]

Can't finish so far

[Oriole4Life]

Turnovers and bad shot selection are killing us.

Nice and 1 by Vasquez.

[EddieO's21]

I have never seen such bad 3 point shot defense. These looks Paulis are getting are wide open...not good for the terps

[Skeptical]

I can't come up with a good description of my dislike for Duke without getting kicked off this site.

[EddieO's21]

one thing i just can't stand is turnovers...if this keeps up it will be a 20 point loss

[Skeptical]

"Shire is one example of what a team is all about."

Can someone explain what the &%&$ this means?! I mean Vitale is insufferable. I know that he will always will call this game, but he is INSUFFERABLE!!!!

[EddieO's21]

I can't come up with a good description of my dislike for Duke without getting kicked off this site.

well at least they are smart right...thats a positive, i just love watching their pocket protector fans cheer for their beloved blue devils

[Skeptical]

Hey Neal, how about you step out on the guy shooting the 3!?

[Lucky Jim]

"Shire is one example of what a team is all about."

Can someone explain what the &%&$ this means?! I mean Vitale is insufferable. I know that he will always will call this game, but he is INSUFFERABLE!!!!

I think this is actually true. He went from a starter and primary option to being a sixth man without complaining. I don't love DV but he's been tolerable so far.

Intolerable is the Terps passing, dribbling, shooting and 3pt defense.

[Skeptical]

The Duke show starring **** Vitale. Emphasis on the...

[DuffMan]

Turnovers are killing us, Duke is hitting their 3's and we are shooting lousy, this could be a recipe for trouble.

[Skeptical]

WOW. Now that Congress has "cleared up all the problems in the world".

[Skeptical]

To clarify my comments about ****ie V being insufferable, I think he's great unless it's a duke game. In any Duke game, it might as well be a Duke vs. Duke scrimmage.

[BaltimoreTerp]

well at least they are smart right...thats a positive, i just love watching their pocket protector fans cheer for their beloved blue devils

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/maryland_terps/blog/2008/02/lefty_the_graduation_rate_and_coach_ks_birthday.ht ml


It's too late for a retort in College Park, but my next door neighbor's son who went here a few years ago once told me it was harder to get an 'A' at our local high school than it was at Duke.

[Skeptical]

Back to back horrible out of bounds calls. In my opinion.

[EddieO's21]

milbourne is playing awful

[EddieO's21]

Back to back horrible out of bounds calls. In my opinion.

i think we need to get away from bashing the refs here..MD has played horrible, this game is no fault but their own

[Lucky Jim]

The first one was legit. The second was a terrible angle, so I have no idea.

Seriously, though - are we really upset about anything other than Maryland's atrocious play?


Maryland's lucky to survive that. They're not shooting well. They're turning the ball over. And they're still in it.

[Skeptical]

If it's a bad call, i'm going to call it a bad call. Yes, MD has turned the ball over and hasn't been able to hit a shot, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other factors that contribute to a loss.

[Lucky Jim]

milbourne is playing awful

Well, that's understandable, I think. He needs to do more in the second half. As does Hayes, who's been equally abysmal.

[EddieO's21]

If it's a bad call, i'm going to call it a bad call. Yes, MD has turned the ball over and hasn't been able to hit a shot, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other factors that contribute to a loss.

i thought the call was questionable at best and i'm a die hard umd fan, all im saying is that it seems our fans have been too easy to pass blame on the refs for our bad play rather than suck it up....me included

[Lucky Jim]

If it's a bad call, i'm going to call it a bad call. Yes, MD has turned the ball over and hasn't been able to hit a shot, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other factors that contribute to a loss.

Oh, c'mon. The refs aren't even the beginning of a factor in this game so far.

[DuffMan]

I think a fun drinking game would be ever time Vitale says the word Duke you have to take a drink. Shoot we'd all be rip-roaring drunk after about 5 minutes:D

[Skeptical]

In no way am i saying that the predominant reason that MD is losing is because of the refs. I'm saying that those two out of bounds calls were bad. Clearly when MD is 0/3 from 3-point land and duke is 7-14, there's your difference.

[EddieO's21]

In no way am i saying that the predominant reason that MD is losing is because of the refs. I'm saying that those two out of bounds calls were bad. Clearly when MD is 0/3 from 3-point land and duke is 7-14, there's your difference.

i think even more than that is points off TO's...nothing worse than that

[Fairfax Bird]

Duke is better than I have given them credit for. They are great shooters. Maryland is playing poorly. That said, it is a crime that Maryland has more fouls than Duke. Duke plays so smart and physical that for every foul called against them they get away with two. Really good coaching.

[Skeptical]

Ummm. That's a 21 point difference. How is that not the number one issue in this game?

[Lucky Jim]

Duke is better than I have given them credit for. They are great shooters. Maryland is playing poorly. That said, it is a crime that Maryland has more fouls than Duke. Duke plays so smart and physical that for every foul called against them they get away with two. Really good coaching.

I just don't see that. Our big problem right now is that neither Hayes nor Vasquez is doing an adequate job dealing with the on-the-ball pressure when Duke picks them up high.

We can't get our offense started. And we can't get decent passing angles to the low-blocks.

[square634]

I think a fun drinking game would be ever time Vitale says the word Duke you have to take a drink. Shoot we'd all be rip-roaring drunk after about 5 minutes:D

That's too easy. I mean, Duke is one of the teams in the game. You should use other words like "passion", "intensity", "Cameron crazies", etc.

[inmn]

There is such a disparity of talent between benches. Md's absolutely killed them, especially on D. Bowie's two minutes against Paulus were so bad I don't think he will get off the bench for a while-Neal too forgetting to guard Singler on the perimeter. Bowie is touted as a good defensive player-maybe in transition but in a half court set he is just terrible, lateral movement and/or awareness is lacking. Anyone still think Hayes is as good as Paulus????

[bbasal]

I think a fun drinking game would be ever time Vitale says the word Duke you have to take a drink. Shoot we'd all be rip-roaring drunk after about 5 minutes:D

if you were able to watch the first half without drinking i give you alot of credit! i need the beers to keep me sane. i really dont see us getting back in this. duke is very good and their defense is much improved from the game at comcast.

[EddieO's21]

Ummm. That's a 21 point difference. How is that not the number one issue in this game?

to me points off turnovers is also a momentum builder which leads to those open 3s and easy buckets. It just seems that MD does not win when they have a bagillion TO's, but they have won when they have been out shot from long distance...although, 21 is a lot

[Lucky Jim]

There is such a disparity of talent between benches. Md's absolutely killed them, especially on D. Bowie's two minutes against Paulus were so bad I don't think he will get off the bench for a while-Neal too forgetting to guard Singler on the perimeter. Bowie is touted as a good defensive player-maybe in transition but in a half court set he is just terrible, lateral movement and/or awareness is lacking. Anyone still think Hayes is as good as Paulus????

I think Bowie's defense will be fine. But learning to get through screens and not get caught helping against Duke's spread is difficult. He's a freshman. I actually like what I see from him, generally. I think Tucker has been good, for the most part, too. Our bench play would be fine if we were getting any production from Hayes, Gist or Milbourne.


Neal can't guard Singler. But we're going to have to try to steal some minutes there. No choice.

We may yet end up getting blown out. But we're only down 11 right now, and we've seen virtually nothing from Gist, Hayes or Milbourne. We've shot poorly. We've turned the ball over. And Duke has been lights-out from behind the line.

We're lucky to be where we are. And we need to capitalize in the opening minutes of the second half.

[Skeptical]

MD needs to take care of the ball bottom line. And they need to get out on those three's. I'm tired of hearing ****ie V proclaim Singler the next coming. Maybe he can talk about J.J. Re**** again. That has relevance to this game.

[Fairfax Bird]

I just don't see that. Our big problem right now is that neither Hayes nor Vasquez is doing an adequate job dealing with the on-the-ball pressure when Duke picks them up high.

We can't get our offense started. And we can't get decent passing angles to the low-blocks.

I'll say it again ... Duke is thorougly outplaying Maryland. However, at Cameron Indoor they play extremely aggressive and physical and get away with a lot of fouls. Been doing it for years and it is brilliant strategy by Coach K. He knows that the officials won't call them all, so he teaches them to hand-check, to try to strip, to play physical. I wish Maryland would play as physical defensively.

[inmn]

I think Bowie's defense will be fine. But learning to get through screens and not get caught helping against Duke's spread is difficult. He's a freshman. I actually like what I see from him, generally. I think Tucker has been good.

Neal can't guard Singler. But we're going to have to try to steal some minutes there. No choice.

He is beat constantly off the dribble-it's either awareness or lateral movement. I understand the screen but the other two lapses were telling.....
Can't have a 6'2" guard that can't guard on the perimeter. Unlesss it's a blowout GW won't bring him off the bench in the second half.

[Lucky Jim]

He is beat constantly off the dribble-it's either awareness or lateral movement. I understand the screen but the other two lapses were telling.....
Can't have a 6'2" guard that can't guard on the perimeter. Unlesss it's a blowout GW won't bring him off the bench in the second half.

I don't mean fine this game. I mean "fine" in the greater context of his career at Md. I think he'll be a good defender for them in time.

That said, moronic beginning to the second half. They're going to inspire me to turn the game off.

[BaltBird 24]

Yeah, same ol story. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. And not defending the three. Where is the Maryland team of late?

[Skeptical]

How was that not a foul!?

[Lucky Jim]

How was that not a foul!?

Terrible call. No doubt.

[Skeptical]

About time for MD's first three pointer.

[EddieO's21]

ok well within single digits...keep it going

[Lucky Jim]

The no look was idiotic. On the other hand, I can understand why he'd think he couldn't draw a foul. ;)

[glenn__davis]

Tough night for Millbourne to have a really poor shooting game.

[Skeptical]

Yeah that was a really bad pass. An even worse call, but refs don't affect games.

[EddieO's21]

Neal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Skeptical]

And just like that...

Nice shot Hayes.

[EddieO's21]

open 3...shocker

[Skeptical]

I'm going to guess that Singler is Neal's responsibility. That is TERRIBLE.

[Lucky Jim]

Yeah that was a really bad pass. An even worse call, but refs don't affect games.

It may have been a foul. Contact was after Vasquez got rid of the ball, though.

Why the h3ll can't Gist finish?

[DuffMan]

You know Duke making those 3's is going to happen, but that lazy pass by Gist at midcourt that resulted in a fastbreak dunk was lame. He's a senior he can't be that careless with the ball.

[Skeptical]

That is never the shot you want to be taking in a four on two where the other member of your team is Neal.

[DuffMan]

Why does Vasquez do that!?!? He makes a great runner, then comes back down forces a fast break without numbers and throws up that junk!!

[JohnD]

Worst friggin performance I've seen in a while. For crying out loud.

[EddieO's21]

wow 5 points...starting to move baby

[Skeptical]

Why does vasquez do that? He's a sophomore surrounded by mediocre players who haven't been able to hit shots. Gist really needs to show his seniority right now. Although i'm not sure Vasquez will pass the ball.

[DuffMan]

Gist is still struggling, but Osby is stepping up.

[DuffMan]

Damn, Tucker gets the steal but steps out of bounds.

[EddieO's21]

if we win this game with gist playing this bad it will be a shock

[Skeptical]

Tale of two halves. Let's hope this ends the way we would all like it to end.

[Skeptical]

There's something about that baseline that just fools refs. Consistently. Maybe it's Neal's fault. I've blamed the rest of the troubles in this game on him.

[DuffMan]

There's something about that baseline that just fools refs. Consistently. Maybe it's Neal's fault. I've blamed the rest of the troubles in this game on him.

He should've went straight to the basket there, no need to hesitate.

[Skeptical]

Hopefully that will get Gist going.

[Fairfax Bird]

Now Maryland is getting away with the physical play and more fouls. Strange.

[glenn__davis]

Man, we've been a good defensive team all year, but we just can't stop their penetration.

Lead at 4 now, need to get Vazquez back in there.

[Skeptical]

I love Gary Williams.

[Skeptical]

Well, this puppy is over. Hayes really disappeared in this game.

[Lucky Jim]

Ballgame. Ballgame. Ballgame.

[Fairfax Bird]

Duke is really good. I still think 6 tourney games will not be easy for them to win without any inside presence and a reliance on threes. The second half when they missed a lot of them they look rather pedestrian. However, damn, they are good.

[Lucky Jim]

Duke is really good. I still think 6 tourney games will not be easy for them to win without any inside presence and a reliance on threes. The second half when they missed a lot of them they look rather pedestrian. However, damn, they are good.

Is winning six games easy for anyone? They're obviously not a complete team. But they pose incredible match-up problems for a lot of teams.

It's really a testament to Coach K that he's turned a team without a frontline into such a good team.

[The Rick]

Duke is really good. I still think 6 tourney games will not be easy for them to win without any inside presence and a reliance on threes. The second half when they missed a lot of them they look rather pedestrian. However, damn, they are good.

This will be their biggest struggle offensively, however one of their biggest strengths defensively. They are just downright filthy on defense. They close the gaps quicker than any team I've seen in a while. They were just all over the guards and Gist tonight.

[glenn__davis]

Very nice game for Duke.

[weemnj]

Is winning six games easy for anyone? They're obviously not a complete team. But they pose incredible match-up problems for a lot of teams.

It's really a testament to Coach K that he's turned a team without a frontline into such a good team.

Yeah----8 Mickey D's.......and hitting 3's.....amazing coaching.

[Lucky Jim]

Yeah----8 Mickey D's.......and hitting 3's.....amazing coaching.

Whatever. The Duke-hating gets old. I mean, I've been through it to, and I know how annoying they can be. But, honestly, this team is a buzzsaw.

And any coach who builds a team that's this difficult to play when they have so many obvious holes...it's impressive. And I guarantee that Gary would say the same thing.

So, yeah - hate away. It doesn't take the sting out of a loss, though. And it just makes us look cheap.

[inmn]

I think his point is that the more talented team won, and they did.

[glenn__davis]

BTW, Patrick was actually not horrible tonight with the Duke stuff, I didn't think.

This win would've been nice, but it wasn't realistic. Gotta move on and refocus with home games against Free Shoes U and VT.

[weemnj]

Whatever. The Duke-hating gets old. I mean, I've been through it to, and I know how annoying they can be. But, honestly, this team is a buzzsaw.

And any coach who builds a team that's this difficult to play when they have so many obvious holes...it's impressive. And I guarantee that Gary would say the same thing.

So, yeah - hate away. It doesn't take the sting out of a loss, though. And it just makes us look cheap.

Not hating here (well trying anyway)....and hats off to them. They are d mn good but you are crediting the coach for having a team of 8 Mickey D's that hit an above average of 3's---who'da thunk that would happen?

[Lucky Jim]

Not hating here (well trying anyway)....and hats off to them. They are d mn good but you are crediting the coach for having a team of 8 Mickey D's that hit an above average of 3's---who'da thunk that would happen?

I'm not crediting them with anything other than doing a great job on Gist and Osby when they don't have anybody who should be able to defend them - and doing this by playing great help defense. Playing great help defense while not letting Maryland's shooters get open looks.

They convert turnovers. They FORCE turnovers. Their margin for error, because they don't have a front line, is tiny. And yet, game after game they do all of the things they need to win.

That's good coaching.

They're a better - or at least more talented - team than Maryland right now. There's no doubt about that. But they also pose huge match-up problems for Maryland that exacerbate the talent disparity. Maryland simply can't stretch the way Duke demands and still play effective defense because it pulls the help-side shotblockers away from the basket and exposes the guards and wings to drives.

[weemnj]

I'm not crediting them with anything other than doing a great job on Gist and Osby when they don't have anybody who should be able to defend them - and doing this by playing great help defense. Playing great help defense while not letting Maryland's shooters get open looks.

They convert turnovers. They FORCE turnovers. Their margin for error, because they don't have a front line, is tiny. And yet, game after game they do all of the things they need to win.

That's good coaching.

They're a better - or at least more talented - team than Maryland right now. There's no doubt about that. But they also pose huge match-up problems for Maryland that exacerbate the talent disparity. Maryland simply can't stretch the way Duke demands and still play effective defense because it pulls the help-side shotblockers away from the basket and exposes the guards and wings to drives.

Agreed......but if we had 3 pt shooters----ah well....But you are spot on.

[inmn]

I'm not crediting them with anything other than doing a great job on Gist and Osby when they don't have anybody who should be able to defend them - and doing this by playing great help defense. Playing great help defense while not letting Maryland's shooters get open looks.

They convert turnovers. They FORCE turnovers. Their margin for error, because they don't have a front line, is tiny. And yet, game after game they do all of the things they need to win.

That's good coaching.

They're a better - or at least more talented - team than Maryland right now. There's no doubt about that. But they also pose huge match-up problems for Maryland that exacerbate the talent disparity. Maryland simply can't stretch the way Duke demands and still play effective defense because it pulls the help-side shotblockers away from the basket and exposes the guards and wings to drives.

Great post. Two well coached teams-one just has more talent although things will be a little more even next year. I do feel Duke's achilles heel (as always) will be a big strong physical team. If they are the top area seed they won't have to play outside NC until the final four.

[weemnj]

Their achilles heel is getting cold from 3..Like they did for too short of a time in the second half tonite----but that will be their eventual downfall.
To start a real discussion...who is better -Duke or Carolina with their point guard?----My vote is Carolina because PG one and two are out with injury.

[EddieO's21]

Look I'll put this simply

Duke is the better team right now...plain and simple, they were balanced, attacked, and hit the shots when they needed to

MD could not hit their shots, Gist was taken out of his game early and Milbourne was awful...

No ref took this away from MD, Duke just outplayed them, this coming from a UMD fan...

I think however MD will be fine, they have a favorable schedule and they are playing well. They showed some durability in the second half that i was really impressed with

[Sports Guy]

Funny game...Nelson and Henderson(who only shot the ball 3 times) watched Paulus and Singler and never got into any kind of rhythm...Nelson was out of control all night long.

Osby and especially Gist were basically shut down.

Duke really only played 6 players tonight because those 6 were playing well.

Smith, who played well in Maryland, barely got on the court tonight.

Oh well...It wasn't pretty but we got the sweep and still undefeated in conference!

[Tony-OH]

Maryland just doesn't have the depth to keep up with the Dukes of the world. From the games I've seen, after Osby and Gist, the Terps are pretty worthless in the front court. I'm actually more concerned about next year than this year because I haven't seen any of the young big men show me anything to get me excited about their futures.

[weemnj]

Maryland just doesn't have the depth to keep up with the Dukes of the world. From the games I've seen, after Osby and Gist, the Terps are pretty worthless in the front court. I'm actually more concerned about next year than this year because I haven't seen any of the young big men show me anything to get me excited about their futures.

WAIT TILL YOU SEE GILCHRIST---pardon the shout.

[Fairfax Bird]

Is winning six games easy for anyone? They're obviously not a complete team. But they pose incredible match-up problems for a lot of teams.

It's really a testament to Coach K that he's turned a team without a frontline into such a good team.

My point is that without an inside presence they will HAVE to shoot really well for six straight games, that is not easy. Their best team on the floor is Paulus, Nelson, Henderson, Scheyer, The Big Albino Frosh (Singler?) ... When you get into those last three games teams will be able to exploit that.

Is Zoubek hurt? If he isn't he is terrible. Lance Thomas ... ugggh.

[DuffMan]

Maryland just doesn't have the depth to keep up with the Dukes of the world. From the games I've seen, after Osby and Gist, the Terps are pretty worthless in the front court. I'm actually more concerned about next year than this year because I haven't seen any of the young big men show me anything to get me excited about their futures.

That is definitely a major concern. Not to mention Gary isn't giving the young big men many minutes to help give them the experience they need.

[inmn]

That is definitely a major concern. Not to mention Gary isn't giving the young big men many minutes to help give them the experience they need.

They just aren't good enough to play, too many marginal recruits in one class.
Gilchrist and Bowman will start from day one; hopefully Dupree is salvagable,
Walker has a big upside, Burney and Gregory never should have been offered.
Bowie will be the fifth man in a four man rotation next year, they really need his minutes off the bench but he was such a sisaster last night I wouldn't be surprised if GW sat him for a few games. This will be a totally different team next year, and much more talented.

[Mackus]

Weird game last night.

Maryland somehow shuts down Nelson and Henderson for the most part, but Singler and Paulus go nuts. Plus, Gist and Hayes have absolutely terrible games.

Duke played phenomenal defense, which along with us not guarding them on a single 3-pt shot was the difference in the game.

[Sports Guy]

Sssssssswwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeepppppppppppppppppppppppp p

[beaner]

For now... I believe we will play again... flashes of the 2004 season.

There may be another team who has something to say about that.

[Sports Guy]

There may be another team who has something to say about that.

Well, MD may end up the 4th seed in the ACC tourney(it will be them or Clemson)...So, if MD is the 4th seed and both them and Duke win early, they will play in the semis, while UNC finally loses to Clemson in the semis. :D

[beaner]

Well, MD may end up the 4th seed in the ACC tourney(it will be them or Clemson)...So, if MD is the 4th seed and both them and Duke win early, they will play in the semis, while UNC finally loses to Clemson in the semis. :D

It's interesting, everyone seems to be forgetting about Carolina right now. It's understandable, Duke's been great all year, Maryland has been playing as well as anyone, and despite being 3-1 without the best point guard in the country AND his backup, we are sort of falling off the radar a little bit. I did notice * Vitale called Carolina the "Creme de la Creme" off the ACC when Lawson comes back. I liked that comment.

However, since Carolina has lost to Maryland and Duke this year, I'll just give credit where it's due and hang in the background......



for now.

[BustaJ2632]

Sssssssswwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeepppppppppppppppppppppppp p

What do you care? Not like we're you're rival:p

Like Mac said...very weird game last night. Obviously I always want to beat Duke but I knew going in that yesterday's game was really just gravy if we had won. We're still in fine shape as long as we continue to take care of business in the conference. The game at Wake worries me more than any other, frankly. I don't see this year's team falling to Miami after what happened last year. And Clemson is at least at home.

With Duke shooting lights out and Maryland essentially only getting contributions from two of their starters, I'm happy they were able to fight back the way they did. Not going to win too many games when Gist plays like that though.

[Sports Guy]

It's interesting, everyone seems to be forgetting about Carolina right now. It's understandable, Duke's been great all year, Maryland has been playing as well as anyone, and despite being 3-1 without the best point guard in the country AND his backup, we are sort of falling off the radar a little bit. I did notice * Vitale called Carolina the "Creme de la Creme" off the ACC when Lawson comes back. I liked that comment.

However, since Carolina has lost to Maryland and Duke this year, I'll just give credit where it's due and hang in the background......



for now.UNC is a very good team...Lawson/TH/Ellington are probably the best combo of big man/PG/shooter in the country...Problem is, outside of those 3, i am not all that impressed with them...I think Danny Green is a solid bench guy and Ginyard does some things every once in a while but they aren't as deep as people make them out to be IMO and they don't play consistent defense.

So, for me, the question is this...Can their big 3 lead them to a title? I certainly think it is possible but when you are relying on 3 players night in and night out, you can easily get burned.

[Sports Guy]

What do you care? Not like we're you're rival:p Not the main rival but you are A rival...And unlike UNC, you beat us every once in a while. :D(that was for you beaner)

However, I care because i am surrounded by MD fans and if you guys manage to beat Duke, you love to rub it in...So, I like to return the favor.

[beaner]

Not the main rival but you are A rival...And unlike UNC, you beat us every once in a while. :D(that was for you beaner)

However, I care because i am surrounded by MD fans and if you guys manage to beat Duke, you love to rub it in...So, I like to return the favor.


Duke vs Maryland lifetime: 103-60
Duke vs. North Carolina lifetime: 97-127

[Jagwar]

Duke vs Maryland lifetime: 103-60
Duke vs. North Carolina lifetime: 97-127

I would be interested to know how those records look after Joe Smith arrived in College Park, and again after Juan Dixon.

[beaner]

I would be interested to know how those records look after Joe Smith arrived in College Park, and again after Juan Dixon.

Fair enough, since Joe Smith arrived at Maryland, the 1993-94 season counting this season, Duke is 23-13 vs. Maryland.

In that same time, Duke is 18-16 vs Carolina.

[Frobby]

Duke grad here.

This is the best team Coach K has had since at least the year that Luol Deng played for Duke. In fact, this team may be better than that. But I agree the lack of size is likely to catch up to them sometime in the tournament.

As to the Terps, this is not one of their best teams, but Gary has them playing well now. If they can stay on an even keel they can still make the NCAA's. I don't see them winning more than a game or, at the very most, two games in the NCAAs.

[Flosman]

Hats off to the Dukies. The better team won the game. I thought the officiating did not help the Terps, not that it was bad really, the refs just let a lot of contact go inside and on the post entry. It would have helped if MD could have got Dukes big men in a little foul touble. MD did not shot well and Duke played very good D. I was a little dissappointed that the Terps did not adjust to take away the open kick out 3. All in all though Duke just out played us. I don't think Duke wins it all this year because they depend on the outside shot too much. Duke is very capable of losing to any big atheletic team. All it takes is a cold shooting night and they are done. Now in their defense they have alot of shooters so it is harder for everyone to get cold together.

I still think the Terps are a pretty darn good team and would not be surprise if this was thier last regular season loss.