In another hard fought game, Maryland moved it's winning streak against Virginia to 6 with a 86-80 victory. The game was the complete opposite of the game three weeks ago as Virginia decided that they would try to run with Maryland instead of slowing down the pace as they had down in Charlottesville. It worked for certain stretches as the pace seemed to encourage the Terps to push the ball and make foolish turnovers. As a result, we once again trailed in the second half. Then Marissa took over and converted two three-point plays during an 11-2 spurt to vault Maryland the lead. A lead that was never given back. We had several chances to put the game away, but give Virginia credit they fought until the end. The win gives us the tiebreaker over them should we be tied at the end of the season.
Virginia's strategy in the first half seemed to be to isolate Mohammed on Langhorne in the paint and let her go to work. After foul trouble put her and Wright on the bench, UVA's guards used their speed to exploit the 2-3 zone employed by Maryland. I understand the zone was useful with the four guard line up UVA used, but we struggled to cover the gaps and grab rebounds, which will always be the problem with zone defense. UVA had too many offensive rebounds for my liking and 80 points is too many to give up to a team that only scored 64 last time.
We saw Strickland struggle for the first time and as a result Kat saw more time. Kat seemed to be in a little awe as she forced two bad passes and her one shot didn't go in, but she needs this experience. I would have like to have seen Drey play, but Jade was bringing some energy and there was no reason to disrupt the flow. I do feel Drey needs minutes against Murphy and Swords on Thursday to prepare for next year.
A lot of the mistakes we made yesterday were mental, which could be as a result of being tired. There's no reason for us to shoot 57% and only win by 6. We need to play within our offense and stop trying to make SportsCenter plays each night.
Kristi looks to be only slumping at home, but she is making smarter decisions. We really need to stop playing down to opponents, I wonder if it will take a loss or just the Duke game to wake up and start crushing teams again.
Congrats to Harper who recorded block number 186 last night, one more for the school record by herself.
Next up is BC on Thursday, make it a date night with your significant other.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Terps Edge out Cavaliers Again
Posted by Joey Nations at 12:17 PM
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4 comments:
These close games will eventually catch up with us. I had thought that Duke would be our only challenge the rest of the season but it seems that they are all challenges right now. Coach Park has done such a poor job of managing this team that I don't know if they can get it back. There is no reason that Drey shouldn't of gotten enough experience in the earlier part of the season, when he was playing starters during blowouts, that she could be an asset now. He has wasted her entire freshman season. How do you think Strickland's confidence will be after sitting her for two games? Jade and Ashleigh should feel the same confidence that Brenda instilled in them and when they come off the bench, we should not skip a beat. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Drey didn't come back to Maryland. You all can sing Daron Park's praised all day long but I know what he has done to this team.
Why is it that a player not getting court time, means she will transfer? It boils down to how a player practices. Show maturity in prctice and you will get time on the court during games.
This was a home game for the Terps and Brenda was there and calling the shots. Coach Parks is the person walking the sidelines for Brenda. She makes the discisions. You can look at these games 2 ways. The Terps are playing down to other teams levels or other teams are playing above their level against the still # 4 ranked team with still only 2 loses. Maybe a little of both. You think you know what he's done to the team, but do you, really? This is the ACC and all the teams are tough, even the worst. Why so negitive?
You have your opinion and I have mine and if you call it negative, then that's your right. I'm sure you know first hand what is going on with the team, I'm sure the head coach confides in you quite often but as I said I have my opinion and if I'm not a fan of Coach Park then that's my right. I'm not going to get into a pissing match with you are anyone else over opinions. I love this team and I'm still hoping for great things, inspite of Park.
I agree with you dsmas Parks look lost to me an the sidelines. I dont believe that the players have any confidence in him. The bench still have not been used the right way and that still come back to haunt us. Newman and Perry was a big part of the NC year and noe they play looking over thre shoulder. Lyon can be used if a team is playing zone, because she is only a spot up shooter, by=ut not at the expense of Strickland's confidence. Mingo didnt even get a chance and that is the reason that players transfer. This is a good team very talented, but this coaching staff needs to make better decisions with the bench and make all of the players play defense.
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