Game 10: Ohio State

For only the second time this year we get two days off between games. Today marks game 10 of 14 in the first month of the season. only 10 more days and five more games until the squad gets a well needed rest.

Today's opponent is Ohio State, the fourth ranked team we have played this year. They are 5-1 with their lone loss coming against Auburn in their last game. The Buckeyes are a defensive-minded team (as are most Big Ten teams) and haven't given up more than 68 points all year (and that was to BU). Auburn was the toughest opponent they have played to date.

OSU is led by National Player of the Year candidate #22 Marscilla Packer. She's a 5-9 guard averaging 17.7 points per game. She likes to shoot the three with 41 of her 72 shots taking place from behind the arc. Once inside the arc she has made 18 of 31 shots. She must be closely guarded. Second of the team in scoring and the leading rebounder is former Maryland recruit Jantel Lavender, who takes the place of departed All-American Jessica Davenport. She is 6-4 and averaging 16.7 and 9.3. She is also a freshman and has yet to go up against the likes of Langhorne and Harper. She is not a great free throw shooter. Helping her out in the post is Star Allen, a 5-11 forward who attacks the boards. We need to use our height to keep her off the boards. She is rotating with 6-2 forward Tamarah Riley. At the guards and lesser scoring options are Ashlee Trebilcock and Shaveile Little. Trebilcock is more of the outside shooter, while Little is more of a distributor.

We need to speed the game up and take care of the ball. Also, attack Lavender in the paint and force Jim Foster to play someone he is not comfortable in the paint. Whoever guards Packer must get tabs on her at all times.

Here's hoping the extra rest will keep us fresh the whole game and allow us to rest the starters late in the game to get ready for the showdown with Rutgers.

Tired Terps Roll Past Pittsburgh, 90-77

The score was a lot closer than the game should have been, but you could see the ladies were tired last night. Once again they came out early and put up a huge lead and Pitt was a little shell-shocked (no pun intended). Fatigue set in and Pitt rallied to make it a "game" (we can't let the fans leave early, can we?) before Maryland went on one last run to seal the victory.

Harper kicked off milestone week by scoring 21 points to go over the 1,000 point mark, thus becoming the the third current Terp to break that barrier and second this year. Next up is Langhorne breaking the rebounding mark and KT passing 1,000 points.

As for the game itself, I thought we played well in spurts but at times you could tell we were tired. Plus we were so worried about the dribble penetration that we left their shooters wide open. Still need to work on the turnover issue, but I liked the aggressiveness we showed. We also look a little ragged on press break, but the more teams press us the better we will get at it.

Player of the Game: Crystal. First real game action all season and all she does is put up 15 and 13 on 6-of-8 shooting. Glad to see her back.

Things to work on: Resting.

Next up: Ohio State on Friday. The Buckeyes are the last non-conference team to defeat us at home. That's 24 straight wins since 2005.

In other news: Maryland received a verbal commitment from 5-6 Delaware PG Dara Taylor

Game 9: Pittsburgh

Guess what Terps' fans? It's GameDay again! Don't you just love the schedule Coach Walz left for us? I think the announcer said it best when he compared our schedule to playing pick up - our ladies win the game, rest for a little bit and then say "Who's got Next?"

Next in this case is Pittsburgh, who comes in with a 3-1 record and not having played for a week. The Panthers are receiving votes in this week's poll and would still be ranked if not for stumbling against Penn State. They are averaging 80.5 points per game, shooting 45.1% and grabbing 47 rebounds per contest. They are led by fast guard Shavonte Zellous who loves to have the ball in her hands. She will attack the rim over and over and try to draw contact. She has yet to take a 3 all season. Marcedes Walker is their big person in the middle and she has more of a Jade build than a Harper build. She also doesn't shoot 3s and seems to be foul prone. Mallorie Winn is the team's main distributer and also 3-point shooter having taken nearly half of the team's long-distance shots. They play with 4 guards and a post.

My gut tells me that they will try to use their speed to disrupt us and then feed the ball down to Walker. We must contain Zellous and not let her get to the rim easily. Also, we can't sag down and leave them open for three. Again, control the ball and make the smart passes. Lastly, I would like to see Kat get in the game at the point before some of the media time outs so that KT can get some rest. She can't play 40 minutes every game.

Play for 30 minutes like we did the last 6 minutes yesterday and Pitt goes home with loss #2.

Toliver Featured In USA Today

Dick Patrick writes a glowing piece about Kristi in today's USA Today. Coach Frese makes a great point when she says she is surprised when she misses. I am too.

Terps Rally From 16-point Deficit To Defeat UCLA, 79-75

Well, that had to be the worst we have played all season. UCLA got the UCSB message that pressing and hounding KT is the way to keep Maryland's scoring down. UCLA was in our head for most of the second half and it resulted in sloppy play and trailing by 16 with 6:47 to play. Then UCLA went into a shell and Maryland scored 19 of the next 21 points to take a 1 pt lead with 2:03 to go. To repeat in a span of 4:45 Maryland scored 19 points and played stifling defense. So my main question is why did it take a 16-point deficit for us to play defense and run a decent offense?

Yes, we were tired and yes, UCLA was all over us, but I thought we had gotten past the foolish turnovers when the press goes on? I was impressed with the way we responded as last year we would have given up, but we can't have this type of effort against pressing teams.

It was good to see Crystal back out there, but her hands were not there tonight and she seems to be struggling with controlling the ball. She lost several rebounds that the last few years she would have never let get away.

Jade needs to reappear as does Mingo. When the posts are in foul trouble we have to count on them.

The guards need to attack the rim if the defense is going to play that tight. At one points Rogers was on Coleman. Coleman should demand the ball and attack the slower defender.

Player of the Game: Marah Strickland. 9 points, 2 rebounds and 0 turnovers. 6 of those points came down the stretch (two at the FT line with the game on the line)and she grabbed a key rebound when we will pulled within 1.

Things to Work on

Breaking the press

Attacking the paint - Rogers and Pluimer finished with 2 fouls apiece. Rogers didn't pick up a foul in the second half.

Playing physical. We tend to shy away from contact instead of using it to our advantage to draw fouls.

Next up: Pittsburgh on Tuesday night at home.

Game 8: UCLA

Well, we are back to our old schedule of a game every 48 hours and today at 5 we play on the court that John Wooden made famous at Pauley Pavilion. The game can be watched locally on Comcast SportsNet Plus. Click here to find out what channel it is on. For those without cable the game is on Fox Sports.

UCLA enters the game with a record of 3-0 with wins over Cal State Northridge, Rice and Cal Poly. They are averaging 89.0 points per game, while allowing 74.3. The Bruins are grabbing 50 rebounds per game and also turning the ball over 19 times per contest. It also seems like they don't enjoy shooting 3-pointers as Pluimer and Campbell are their only threats and the team has only taken 24 all season.

We just need to play our game and attack their post players as they tend to have more height than we do. Take care of the ball and play defense. I believe UCLA wants a track meet, we just need make several stops and put this game away early.

Some Notes about UCLA
- The highlighted C on their jersey doesn't mean they are all captains it is to show off the 100 National Championships they have won as an athletic department.
- UCLA features junior Chinyere Ibekwe - the sister of former Terp Ekene Ibekwe.

Terps Survive Scare from UCSB, 75-71

Last night's game showed the importance of Crystal and what happens when Toliver is hounded for 40 minutes. UCSB employed a press that many teams will now put on as well as we didn't handle it well. Jade is a good player in a stand alone offense but in a fast moving game she can't get going as was shown last night and may explain why she didn't play against Ole Miss last year in the tournament. Crystal opens things up for the team and gives us another scoring threat downlow.

Luckily for us, Marissa decided that she would attack the rim and went to the line 20 times. At any other school that would be a record, but Shay had to go out and shoot 27 free throws in her first collegiate game.

Other than that, the team looked like last year's version as we had a double-digit lead and we unable to put the game away. It took UCSB 3:49 into the second half to tie the game and then they later took the lead. We have to play better than that in the face of adversity.

Player of the Game: Marissa - career-high 30 points and 8 rebounds.

Things to work on for next game: Breaking the press, guarding the three-point shooters and hitting our own three-point shots.

Game 7: UC Santa Barbara

After their first long trip of the season, the Terps are back in action again today against UC Santa Barbara at the Thunderdome. The game is not on TV, but you can purchase it to watch it on the web for I believe $10. Otherwise you can listen to it on the radio and watch GameTracker.

Last year, Maryland stomped UCSB 105-44 at Comcast and UCSB finished second in the Big West for the first time in 12 years. This year UCSB is 2-2 with wins over USC and Loyola (Marymount). Their 79 points in their last game was the most all season. They are led by their 6-4 senior center Jenna Green, who is averaging 13 and 7.5. They have another 6-4 center, but they are being outrebounded 37 to 41. They are shooting .369 on the season and .281 from three.

Again we need to just grab the ball and go, so that the team can burn off that thanksgiving feast. The goal should be to get Emery Rookie of the Week honors with another stellar performance.

Then it's rest and get ready for a trip to LA for the Bruins.

Maryland Bench Nearly Outscores Greyhounds in Blowout

For the second time this season, Maryland's first half point total was enough to win the game. Against Delaware they scored 46, while the Blue Hens tallied 43 for the game and tonight versus Loyola, the Terps had 51 at the break and the Greyhounds finished with 50.

The story wasn't the starters though as for the first time since the Miami game last year, the leading scorers for Maryland were bench players. It's also the first time since Feb. 13, 2006 that two freshmen have led the team in scoring as Emery Wallace had 18 points and Drey Mingo had 16 points this evening.

Overall, I think we played a great game. We blew Loyola out early and gave some confidence to the bench players who haven't played in the last few games. Kat had 8 assists and made her first two 3-pointers. I think we need to work on our press as Loyola passed right over it each time we employed it. That's my only complaint though. I did like how it seems we have added new wrinkles to our existing plays.

Player of the Game: Emery Wallace - first real action in two years and she scores 18 points, shooting 3-for-3 from behind the arc. Who knows if this leads to more playing time for her, but maybe it will give her the confidence she needs when she does play. Now she just needs to work on her chest bumps.

Next Up: A cross-country flight to California for games against UC Santa Barbara and UCLA.

Game #6: Loyola

Make it 4 games in nine days and another home contest, this time against Loyola. I am hoping this game isn't as much of a struggle in the first half as the last two were. Tonight should give us a great chance to see more of Emery, Christie and Kat. Last year, we doubled up Loyola 110-55 and also gave the Greyhounds their first sellout. I think Coach Walz wife also gave birth to child number two that evening.

Loyola is 2-1 with wins over Villanova and Drexel. They average 57 ppg and haven't scored more than 50 in their last two outings. I will be disappointed if we give up more than 50 to them. They aren't a great three-point shooting team nor do they shoot well from the field. Their best player is Vika Sholokhova who is a 6-3 center and averaging a double-double.

We need to just run the ball down the court and play uptempo as ironically the greyhounds will not be able to keep up.

After tonight, a two-day rest before playing UCSB in California.

Kristi Toliver Named ACC POW

In the no-brainer move of the week, Kristi has been selected ACC Player of the Week. This makes the Terps 2-for-2 in ACC POW this year.

In other news, here are some links to articles regarding yesterday's win:

Baltimore Sun

Washington Times

Examiner

USA Today

Philly Inquirer

The Diamondback

Also, UT is offering students a chance to to win a year of free tuition just by attending games. Our marketing department is more concerned with getting students to show up at all 27 sports to care about the #3 team in the country.

Terps Use Second Half Run to Cage Tigers and win WNIT, 75-62

Four years ago in Colorado, an LSU team led by Seimone Augustus defeated a young Maryland squad by 13 points. Nearly four years later, Maryland exacted revenge with a 13 point win, 75-62. that's a 26 point swing in four years. One reason for that swing could be Kristi Toliver who went off for 23 and should be a lock for ACC POW. For the second-straight game, Maryland couldn't handle the defense of their opponent and made some foolish turnovers early on, while not forcing many themselves. Like in the ND game, the turnovers didn't affect the offense as Maryland led by as many as 10. In the second half, LSU looked like they were trying to take control, but a 13-1 run dashed those hopes.

I have been really impressed with Maryland's defense thus far in the young season. We have done our best to contain some of the post players in the country. I would like us to react better to the three-point shooters as Quianna Chaney was firing away with open looks.

Strickland seems to getting more comfortable as she was taking contested three-pointers.

Player of the Game: Jade Perry. She gave up as many as 8 inches to Fowles yet recorded a double-double and forced Big Syl to take several tough shots. If she can develop a more consistent outside shot, she may have a chance in the league.

Next up: Loyola on Tuesday at home. See you there.

Game #5: LSU (WNIT Championship)

For the fifth time in 9 days we play a game. For the third time in a week we play a ranked team. for the second time in a week we play a top 6 team. So much for a cupcake schedule this year. LSU may be a tougher game than Oklahoma. I would venture to guess that LSU is a combination of ND and Oklahoma - looming post presence and stifling defense. A win here proves to all the doubters we are back and may garner us some first-place votes in Monday and Tuesday's polls.

LSU plays with three guards, a forward and a center (a rather big center in Sylvia Fowles). They have made the last four Final Fours. Their goal is to slow the game down and make it a defensive struggle. Their PG White is small, but quick and due to an ankle injury may not be at 100% percent. Hightower (who comes off the bench) and Chaney are their three-point shooters and we must jump out on them. LeBlanc helps Fowles in the paint on rebounds.

The key to this game is handling the pressure and the traps. When we get in the offensive set, we must pound the ball inside to Harper and Jade and have them go at Sylvia, I don't care if we get a charge, draw contact on her and get her in foul trouble. She leaves the game, it opens it up for us.

Terps Shoot Their Way Past Irish, 75-59

Three streaks ended tonight: Kristi's double-double, Kristi's last bucket of the half and Notre Dame's WNIT winning streak. Two ranked opponents up, two ranked opponents down. Sunday we try to make it 3-for-3.

Kristi was on fire from long range, but also had help from Marah and Marissa as the team hit a school-record 12 three-pointers. The team played fluid on offense and handled ND's defense early on. I like how we responded each time ND made a run and then came out in the second half ready to slam the door on ND's upset thoughts. Harper continues to play with a purpose with Langhorne sidelined. I wish we would have put more pressure on ND to force them into more mistakes.

The officiating needs to be addressed. How many times does a player have to be slapped before a foul is called?

Game #4: Notre Dame (WNIT)

Finally two days off in between games. Maybe the extra day will heal Crystal's foot and we will be a somewhat full squad again (not that we have needed her yet). For the second time in four games we face a ranked opponent, but the hype is less for this game and it's not even on National TV.

Notre Dame enters the game 2-0 and won the preseason WNIT in 2004 so they are on a 6-game WNIT winning streak. This is the first time we have played them in 20 years. ND is also part of the "1 and done" crowd as far as other fans are concerned (Purdue, Baylor and Maryland as also on that list) thanks to their 2001 National Championship Run.

They have been known to be stellar on defense and like to play more of a 2-3 zone than man-to-man. They are outrebounding opponents by 5 per game, but when looking at their stats, it shows that Jade grabbed more rebounds in the last game than all but one of their players have in two games and only four players have more rebounds than Kat's output in the last game. A lot of their scoring comes from guard play so this will be a big test for Kristi, Marah and Marissa. Judging from the stats ND likes to take the ball to the hoop as of their 144 shots only 29 have come from outside the arc. (compared to us through two games where we shot 28 three-pointers out of 117 shots).

One familiar name on the Irish roster may be Devereaux Peters, who was a recruit last year but after Mingo signed on opted to go to ND instead.

One person who wishes he could watch the game is former coach Jeff Walz as it's his first chance to scout a future opponent.

If we control the glass and take care of the ball we should be able to run ND out of the gym and get ready for LSU or Michigan State on Sunday.

Be there tomorrow night to see which Toliver streak continues: last bucket of the half AND/OR Double-double.

Terps Double Up Blue Hens in Rout

Finally, a complete effort from the ladies in black who were without Crystal again (getting worried as she was wearing a boot tonight instead of sneakers like the first game). The team looked sluggish in the start without Langhorne, but then buckled down and went on a huge run. Jade continues to step up without Langhorne in the lineup which is great to see. We definitely played with more energy last night and I especially liked how we came out at halftime and put the game away for good.

The big question is: can Kristi's streak continue on Friday?


Player of the Game: Ashleigh Newman. The first couple of games looked like Ashleigh was just going to ride out her senior year and enjoy it, but last night, she looked like the Newman of old, hitting three-pointer after three-pointer from the corners. Looks like she felt the pressure from Kat. Would have been the leading scorer if not for the last few free throws by Kristi.

Looking at the checklist
1. Marissa, Kristi and Crystal combined for at least 50 points - NA -
2. Crystal at least 20-30 touches per game on the offensive end - NA
3. Crystal takes at least 10-15 shots per game - NA
4. Fewer than 15 turnovers per game - minus - too many sloppy passes in the first half against a team that doesn't press that much.
5. Shoot 70% from the free throw line - plus - Harper made all of hers, but Jade had a rare miss
6. Outrebound opponents - plus plus - Kat and Jade almost outrebounded them
7. Kristi to have more shots made than turnovers - plus - 5 to 3
8. Laura to take 5-10 shots per game. - plus - 5 shots
9. 5-10 steals per game - plus - 6
10. Fewer than 5 missed lay ups per game. - minus - I counted 8 of them two of which came on the alley oop play.
11. At least 10 drives to the basket by the guards. - minus - I don't recall more than 10. we need to start breaking teams down off the dribble more.
12. Getting opposing team in foul trouble. - plus - their posts were in foul trouble right away
Final Tally: 6 out of 9

Things to Work:
- Taking care of the ball.

Game #3: Delaware (WNIT)

48 hours later and another game, this time against a much easier opponent in Delaware, who is coming off a 54-47 win over Delaware State on Friday. The only thing I know about Delaware is that Chrissy Fisher played their the last few years. Also, Delaware's leading scorer broke her hand in the game on Friday and will not play tonight meaning someone will have to take over the scoring load. They are coming off an NCAA appearance, but lost two of their top scorers from a year ago.

Judging by their stats, they are a guard-oriented team as the leading scorers in the first game were guards. They start a 6-4 center, but their 6-1 forward grabbed 10 rebounds in game one.

You know the checklist by now, but I also think we need to force the tempo. We should press whoever takes at the point for DeHaven. Also, let's put this game away early so that the starters can rest and we can see more of Kat Lyons and Drey Mingo on the court.

Winner plays either Notre Dame or Western Kentucky on Friday.

Coleman Named ACC Player of the Week (and other links)

After a dominating performance against OU, Marissa Coleman was named ACC Player of the Week



Is it me or does it look like Marissa is above the rim and can dunk?

- Voepel writes a great article about the Terps' Return To Form

- Langhorne and Coleman were selected preseason All-Americans by ESPN

- Coleman was picked best at her position, while Langhorne was an honorable mention on ESPN.com

Maryland Sends a Message, Crushes Oklahoma

Oklahoma outscored Maryland 23-7 in the opening and closing 4 minutes of the game, unfortunately for the Sooners the game is 40 minutes and the Terps tallied 69 points to OU's 43 during that span en route to a 76-66 win over the sixth ranked team in the country. Our defensive intensity was great and despite Lang's 1-for-7 shooting and 4 rebound performance, everyone else stepped up which again gave me hope that I can start making plans for Tampa in April.

I think Kristi has made it her mission to make me eat my words after the USA performance. Back-to-back 10+ assist games, maybe Diana was right. Coleman took over like she should everygame and Harper was back in Final 4 form, but....

Player of the Game: Marah Strickland. 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting including 4 three-pointers, all of which came at critical moments. The frosh likes to shine in the big moments it seems.

Looking at the checklist
1. Marissa, Kristi and Crystal combined for at least 50 points - minus - 38
2. Crystal at least 20-30 touches per game on the offensive end - plus - her passes out of the post were great and she forced OU to change their game plan
3. Crystal takes at least 10-15 shots per game - minus - she seemed tentative tonight and with everyone else pick up the slack, it wasn't a hinderence.
4. Fewer than 15 turnovers per game - minus - the press killed us and we tried to get a little too fancy again
5. Shoot 70% from the free throw line - minus
6. Outrebound opponents - plus
7. Kristi to have more shots made than turnovers - minus - 6 to 7
8. Laura to take 5-10 shots per game. - plus - 9 shots
9. 5-10 steals per game - plus - 10
10. Fewer than 5 missed lay ups per game. - minus - lang missed a bunch as did harp, but I don't recall any easy lay ups blown
11. At least 10 drives to the basket by the guards. - minus - I don't recall more than 10
12. Getting opposing team in foul trouble. - plus - both Parises had 3 and 4 fouls
Final Tally: 5 out of 12 (sometimes great players cover up mistakes)


Things to work on for the next game
- handling the press.
- getting Crystal back in the flow
- putting the game away early so that the team can rest a bit.

Game 2 - Oklahoma (State Farm Tip Off)

46 hours after the season started and we are already onto game two of the season. This game should be a little tougher than the first as it is against #6 Oklahoma down in North Carolina. Need I remind you of the last time we played at Carmichael?
Let's just hope Ashleigh doesn't need to chuck in another long distance three to send it to overtime.

This is the first game for Oklahoma after winning their two exhibitions easily. The Sooners scored 110 points in each of those games with Courtney Paris scoring 19 and 25 in both. It seems the starters for OU don't do much for OU as the reserves have scored 127 points in two games. Last year, OU was a slow down the pace team and feed the ball inside to Paris. I have no idea what kind of impact the freshman have on their team.

In order to win today aside from the original check points we must:
- speed the game up. Grab the rebound and go with the ball force the Sooners to run.
- pressure them. Ole Miss used that to their advantage.
- Attack Paris. If the ball isn't fed into the post on every play today before Courtney gets in foul trouble, I will be annoyed. She is the strength of that team and if you take her out it makes the game more manageable. KT, Marissa, Marah, must drive the lane and create contact.

Terps Cage Tigers, 76-52

It wasn't really the opening game I was expecting as we came out flat early (maybe due to the lack of Crystal) and seemed to not really want to take it at Princeton. Part of that could be to not show Oklahoma anything or maybe nerves again. You can tell defense was stressed again the offseason and it's ironic that it hurts the team offensively. I liked the way we played on defense, but sometimes we were blown by on the dribble and couldn't get around the screens on the threes.

Player of the Game: Jade Perry - She missed the first game of her career at the end of last season and I think she wanted to prove to Brenda that she shouldn't do that again. 12 points and 11 rebounds is a great way to start her senior year.

Looking at the checklist
1. Marissa, Kristi and Crystal combined for at least 50 points - N/A - Marissa and Kristi combined for 30
2. Crystal at least 20-30 touches per game on the offensive end - N/A
3. Crystal takes at least 10-15 shots per game - N/A
4. Fewer than 15 turnovers per game - minus - sloppy TO's including a few showtime TO's. don't need three passes in the lane on a fast break.
5. Shoot 70% from the free throw line - plus
6. Outrebound opponents - plus
7. Kristi to have more shots made than turnovers - plus - 7 to 4
8. Laura to take 5-10 shots per game. - plus - 8 shots
9. 5-10 steals per game - plus - 8
10. Fewer than 5 missed lay ups per game. - plus - I think I counted four, two on the fast break
11. At least 10 drives to the basket by the guards. - minus - I don't recall more than 10
12. Getting opposing team in foul trouble. - minus - Cowher had 1 foul all night and she is their best player.
Final Tally: 6 out of 9

Things to work on the next game:
- 3-pt shooting. If we are going to stick the perimeter, must shoot better.
- Harper at the line. 0-2 doesn't cut it and be more aggressive
- Harper getting in foul trouble doesn't help if we are down a post player
- attack the paint more.

Game #1: Princeton (WNIT)

And now it begins for real. Unlike last year, where we started the season on a six-game winning streak, this year we start fresh at 0 with Princeton hoping to be our first victim. To be honest, I have never seen Princeton play basketball and with a new coach I doubt there would be anything to go off of. I know Bill Cowher's daughter plays for them and I am hoping "The Chin" makes an appearance at the game.

For games this year I am going to keep a "checklist" on things we need to do well in order win. Feel free to add some if I missed any

1. Marissa, Kristi and Crystal combined for at least 50 points
2. Crystal at least 20-30 touches per game on the offensive end
3. Crystal takes at least 10-15 shots per game
4. Fewer than 15 turnovers per game
5. Shoot 70% from the free throw line
6. Outrebound opponents
7. Kristi to have more shots made than turnovers
8. Laura to take 5-10 shots per game.
9. 5-10 steals per game
10. Fewer than 5 missed lay ups per game.
11. At least 10 drives to the basket by the guards.
12. Getting opposing team in foul trouble.

Obviously the more we accomplish the better chance at winning, but I think at least 9 check marks should result in victory every night.

The game is on WMUC and ACC Select for those that can't be at the Comcast Center. By the way, was it me or was there no promotion for the women's game last night at the men's snoozefest?

Wednesday's Weblinks

Charlie Creme breaks down each of the 64 teams he expects to see in March

The Diamondback writes the team has high hopes for the upcoming season

the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gives us 5 Things for 2007-08

Tuesday's Tidbits

A few people said I was a little harsh on the team after Wednesday's loss, but according to the poll on the left 47% of you expect a championship this year and 23 turnovers is not great no matter the talent. The 23 TOs are the most thus far against the USA Team. There were three positives since that game. No one has scored more than 74 against the USA Team, we are the only squad to outrebound them and the only squad to have a lead that late against them.

The AP poll is out and we are ranked fourth. You can see who voted for who, by clicking here

Mel Greenberg blogged about his trip to College Park for the USA Game.

ESPN.com has started their season preview. First up, the experts weigh in. Beth Mowins previews the conferences. Graham Hays writes about Maryland being ready to move on. Lastly, Kara Lawson blogs about the season.

Terps Fall to US National Team, 90-73

For the first time in a while, the Terps lost an exhibition game. Granted this was against the Senior National Team. It was amazing to see them have an advantage at every position and the team looked a little shocked at the beginning. Midway through the first half, they seemed to settle down and actually led at one point. The second half was a different story as Maryland looked tired and the US Team started making their shots. Although we only scored 73 points, that is on par with what most of these group of players had been giving up in the FIBA World Championships. To get a true feel for the team, we have to see how UConn and UT do against the US Team in the next few days.

What I liked:

Our aggressive style on defense. We did the best we could to interupt passing lanes and cause turnovers and deflections. The team seemed more committed to defense last night than last year, but we have to see how long that continues.

Rebounding. The US Team had height at every position, yet we still outrebounded them by 6.

Mingo and Lyons. Mingo seemed to settle in after a few minutes and Lyons was not afraid to shoot the ball, making the first three of the game.

What I didn't like

Turnovers. I know Taurasi called Toliver the best PG in the country, but I didn't see it last night. Too many forced passes and attempts to do too much. She needs to let the game come to her. 9 TO's is a bit much, especially after a summer at PG camp.

Free Throw Shooting. Too many missed especially if we are going to attack the basket.

No new wrinkles in the play book. Obviously, we slowed it down because the US Team got back quicker than us, but we seem to still be running the basic, pick at the top of the key play and then try to get a shot off. I would love to see more clear outs or plays that get us into the paint. We can be more than a jump shooting team.

What worries me

Depth. With Langhorne, Barrett, Rodgers and Wiley-Gatewood in street clothes (Lang should be fine for Princeton) we were down to 10 players and Wallace looks like she has a prosthetic leg with all the braces and tape jobs. We the ladies needed a break, the back up guards Newman and Marrone looked lost in the offense.

Conditioning. First game of the year and we were out of gas by the time the second half rolled around. You could see it in the players eyes that they were spent.

Second half problems still exist. A trend from last year reared its head again - being outscored in the second half. We always tend to play great in the first half and then come out of the gate in half two and before we know it the game is tied or blown open.

What I want to see vs. Princeton

Better control of the ball.

More attacking of the basket.

two solid halves

Marah Strickland coming out of her shell.

Whether you agree or disagree, discuss it on the message board.