What a day for the Terps and for me. First I watch the Terps defeat Virginia on the road, then I race back to College Park to see the second half of the men's win over Duke. It was quite a day but it was well worth it. The women played fantastic for 30 minutes and as a result won their fourth straight over the Cavaliers. The win clinches the team's second straight winning season in the ACC and still puts them on track for that first round-bye. We trail FSU by a game (they still have UNC and us this week) and are a game up (with the tiebreaker) on NC State. I believe a win on Thursday and an NC State loss this week (they have Carolina on Friday) clinches that first round bye. For the first time in a long time, five players scored in double figures as the offense was clicking for most of the game.
Recap|Box Score
Positives
The first 30 minutes. The team showed intensity, passion and defense. I saw the old Maryland team out there during that stretch. People were diving all over the floor and Virginia look dumbfounded. We just need to extend that intesnity for another 10 minutes.
Langhorne. For the second straight game, she attacked the basket and it resulted in 19 points. She also decided to start rebounding again and it lead to a season-high 15 rebounds. Her free throw shooting needs some work, but I am sure she will work on that.
Coleman. She played like the Final Four All-Tournament performer. Double-double at halftime. Grabbing loose balls, fighting for rebounds and making her jumper in the lane. Looks like she is coming around.
Jade Perry. Hopefully the slump is over. 13 points using a variety of jumpers and moves in the paint. Let's hope she matches the effort in Tallahassee this week.
Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood. Forced to run the offense with Toliver in foul trouble and did it essentially flawlessly. The team continued to run smoothly and she continued to use her dribble-drive ability.
Rebounding. 3 players in double-figures.
Negatives
The last 10 minutes. Maybe the team wanted to get back for the Duke game or maybe they didn't want their friends on UVA to get crushed at home. Whatever the reason, it was unacceptable. Not everyone gets a chance to watch the game so when they see the score, they think we struggled wth UVA. We all know that's not true, but letting a 28-point lead get down to 9 is ridiculous.
Free throw shooting. I know Crystal and Harper are going to miss some free throws, but I don't expect Toliver, Sa'de and Jade to miss any. 60.7% is not going to help us win big games.
Toliver's defense. She lets her feet get set to quick and thus the person she is guarding blows past her. i also noticed that she is forcing people towards the baseliine, except sometimes the help isn't there and the player has an open lay up. she needs to funnel people towards the middle.
Articles
Charlottesville Daily Progress
Washington Post
Diamondback
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Staunton News Leader
Up Next
This week will make or break the season. First we have Florida State in Tallahassee with a chance to take over the third spot in the standings. Then the rematch against #1 and undefeated Duke Blue Devils on Sunday at home.
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