Terps Victory Wasn't Pretty, but it was Sweet

That sound you heard tonight as the clock ticked down to zero was a huge sigh of relief from the ladies after finally putting last year's second round collapse behind them and knowing it is time to win a title. For the last two games it seemed as if the weight of the world was on their shoulders and that they didn't want to choke again. Instead of playing loose and free as we did early in the season, we played tight. In both games, we went on a huge run figuring that our opponent would give up the fight and quit. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and we let both Coppin State and Nebraska back in the game. Over the course of the next four games, we can't let that happen.

For 15 minutes, I thought this would be blow out city and then we got complacent and routinely let Nebraska back in the game. Our rebounding sucked in the first half and I wish I was a fly on the wall in the locker room. In the second half we outrebounded them by 15 and gave them only four offensive rebounds. We also saw the Marissa Coleman we have been waiting for all year, the one who takes over games. For five minutes, she put the team on her back and made sure we weren't losing. We need more of that. Crystal also didn't miss in the final 10 minutes of the game and grabbed every rebound she could.

My issues at this point
1. Maybe it is me or Kristi looks exhausted. She's back to last year Kristi where she forces her shot to get in rhythm instead of passing the ball around and getting a good look. She's leaning on her shots and even missing lay ups.
2. We need to make free throws down the stretch.
3. I want to see more out of Harper, she was a main reason we won in 06.
4. Marah is close to appearing on my milk carton.
5. We need our hands up on defense. I told you Turner was a three-point shooter and we routinely never put a hand in her face.
6. Time to clamp down on defense.


Now it's time for some sleep and then off to Spokane.

Before I go, I saw something on TerrapinTimes that Jackie Nared, daughter of former Terp Greg Nared was here this weekend on an official visit - looks like we aren't done recruiting yet. Click here to read more about her.