Danielos38 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Maryland faces #13 Valparaiso at 4:40 pm on TNT in their first game of the tournament. This game will be no cake walk. Multiple projection sites have this as one of the biggest potential upsets in the first round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakebackOPACY Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Maryland feels like a team that will raise their game to the occasion. But having read up on Valpo, I think the Crusaders will play really well too. Valpo is very capable of getting absurdly hot from outside. They're efficient, they rebound, the have enough size and athleticism to hold their own, and they play stifling defense. My prediction is that it'll be a tight game at the half and Valpo may be ahead by a point or two. In the second half: The 3's will start to miss for Valpo Turgeon will know which is the best option amongst Ceko, Dodd, Smo Melo will get to the line a lot Dez will help keep Valpo close by trying to do too much, and then he'll help spread out a lead by having success despite perhaps trying to do too much. MD will hold a lead between say 6-10 points over the last 6-8 minutes of the game; Valpo might have one more run in them but MD will be up to the task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Maryland feels like a team that will raise their game to the occasion. But having read up on Valpo, I think the Crusaders will play really well too. Valpo is very capable of getting absurdly hot from outside. They're efficient, they rebound, the have enough size and athleticism to hold their own, and they play stifling defense.My prediction is that it'll be a tight game at the half and Valpo may be ahead by a point or two. In the second half: The 3's will start to miss for Valpo Turgeon will know which is the best option amongst Ceko, Dodd, Smo Melo will get to the line a lot Dez will help keep Valpo close by trying to do too much, and then he'll help spread out a lead by having success despite perhaps trying to do too much. MD will hold a lead between say 6-10 points over the last 6-8 minutes of the game; Valpo might have one more run in them but MD will be up to the task. That would be awfully nice and less stressful than usual...haha. I heard on the radio Valpo is big on the inside and can shoot the 3 very well (over 40% for the team, I think I heard). Wells and Layman exterior defense should help with cutting down some of the perimeter shooting, but I do worry about our inside presence. I think Ceko could be a big factor in this game. For the love of all things, please no one throw a no look pass to Dodd or while on Dodd is on the run, he just can't handle the catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finisher Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 So obvious concerns are we play to level of competition and are inferior away from home. That said, I think we're too talented and the focus will be too sharp today to allow Valpo to pull the upset unless they just shoot out of their minds. Really, really want this win because it would cap a strong season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Iowa State and Baylor lost because their best players completely choked down the stretch. Georges Niang of Iowa State is one of the best players in the country but was taking horrible shots or turning the ball over on every single possession late in the game. Dez and Melo aren't going to choke. When the game is on the line, those guys completely take over. Dez turns into the best player on the court and Melo gets to the line and knocks down his free throws. I think we will see something similar today. Maryland wins 71-63. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Here we go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I'm sorry but Dodd is awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Do they never practice playing against a zone the offense always seems to go silent against a zone. And Trimble shooting a 45 foot shots not going to help either. I do have to say that Smo looks good early and seems to be the only one moving on offense. Happy to cheer for him to keep doing productive things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Do they never practice playing against a zone the offense always seems to go silent against a zone. And Trimble shooting a 45 foot shots not going to help either. I do have to say that Smo looks good early and seems to be the only one moving on offense. Happy to cheer for him to keep doing productive things. I like what I've seen from Smo over the last 3-4 games. It's disappointing that we weren't able to stretch out a bigger lead when Valpo was struggling shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 I like what I've seen from Smo over the last 3-4 games.It's disappointing that we weren't able to stretch out a bigger lead when Valpo was struggling shooting. I agree but not sure Maryland would know what to do with a large lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Ridiculous call on Dez for his second foul. That was clearly a charge. Does Dodd even have thumbs? Every time he touches the ball, it just falls right out of his hands. Nickens has been big so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 This game is going to kill me I just know it! I forgotten what this feels like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazysilver03 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 This game is going to kill me I just know it! I forgotten what this feels like. Agreed. I would like Maryland to get their shiZ together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtVanDelay Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 This commentator is in love with Smotrycz lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Nickens May end up with 20 points if Valpo keeps up the zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.