Official Maryland Terps Thread 3.0

[80sballboy]

Maryland has lost three games all year and you guys are saying they are one-and-done in the NCAA's. All three games were on the road and the only one they should not have lost to was Michigan, because LeVert was hurt. Michigan State played as it was the most important game in their lives and Maryland sort of coasted. I do agree that they have problems, but this is a talented team. If Stone starts and I see why he doesn't (defense and rebounding), they have maybe the most talented five in the nation. That allows Layman to just defend and you can live with him scoring in single digits. Carter loves to chuck up 3s, as does Sulaimon. They are pretty soft overall but I think they'll get it together. If not, Iowa will destroy them on Thursday. That's a really good team with not a lot of stars though I think Jok and Jarrod Uthoff could be NBA players. Uthoff is not much bigger than Layman, but he's a tremendous college player.

[Ruzious]

It's like - if the team doesn't go undefeated, they're a disappointment - and they are undefeated at home. The over-reactions are silly, to be nice. These are college kids - several of them in their first year here - and it never should have been expected to be a good defensive team. This team is on its way to an outstanding season - the best regular season the team has had in years - with a chance to do well in the post-season. We're still in January - we want them to be at their hottest in March.

[Higga]

This is just a strange year in college hoops. No real standout teams. Duke could end up missing the tournament(they looked terrible last night vs. my boy Larranaga and the U).

Maryland could lose in the 2nd round. They could also win the whole thing. But you could say that about just about every top ranked team.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Huge win!

[P'Oed]

Absolutely huge. Needed a signature win. The offense is still beyond horrible most of the time though. What's with the pussyfooting for 25 seconds around the perimeter before someone does something? Seems to be a Turgeon staple.

On a side note: anyone see an Antawn Jamison-lite in Robert Carter Jr.? Sort of has that same feel to his game. IMO the best all around player on the team at this point.

[Ruzious]

Absolutely huge. Needed a signature win. The offense is still beyond horrible most of the time though. What's with the pussyfooting for 25 seconds around the perimeter before someone does something? Seems to be a Turgeon staple.

On a side note: anyone see an Antawn Jamison-lite in Robert Carter Jr.? Sort of has that same feel to his game. IMO the best all around player on the team at this point.

Yeah, he was definitely the best player last night and arguably has been all season. That last foul call on him was a joke. Too bad the jump shot wasn't working. Speaking of jump shots not working, Layman... wow, when he gets cold, I've never seen someone with such good form become such a bad shooter. How many wide open shots did he miss last night? Otoh, he had his best defensive performance as a Terp, so I can't blame the effort. Maybe he should see a sports psychologist about his shooting. I'll need to see one if he keeps missing.

It was a weird game - Layman was useless offensively, Trimble was in a funk all game, Stone was bleh and sat because of his defense, nobody could shoot jumpers in the 2nd half... but we beat the 3rd ranked team in the nation and a team that was undefeated in the conference.

Btw, is there anyone who thinks Dan Dakich isn't chalk-board scratching horrible at his job? I thought what he said about Sulaimon went over the line of professionalism.

[Higga]

If Maryland can get their offensive issues figured out, they have the talent to be the best team in the country. The athletes they have let them play shutdown D.

Big win last night though. Probably cements a minimum top 3 seed in the NCAAs barrring something crazy happening the final month. Still got a shot at the conference regular season title too.

[P'Oed]

Absolutely huge. Needed a signature win. The offense is still beyond horrible most of the time though. What's with the pussyfooting for 25 seconds around the perimeter before someone does something? Seems to be a Turgeon staple.

On a side note: anyone see an Antawn Jamison-lite in Robert Carter Jr.? Sort of has that same feel to his game. IMO the best all around player on the team at this point.

Yeah, he was definitely the best player last night and arguably has been all season. That last foul call on him was a joke. Too bad the jump shot wasn't working. Speaking of jump shots not working, Layman... wow, when he gets cold, I've never seen someone with such good form become such a bad shooter. How many wide open shots did he miss last night? Otoh, he had his best defensive performance as a Terp, so I can't blame the effort. Maybe he should see a sports psychologist about his shooting. I'll need to see one if he keeps missing.

It was a weird game - Layman was useless offensively, Trimble was in a funk all game, Stone was bleh and sat because of his defense, nobody could shoot jumpers in the 2nd half... but we beat the 3rd ranked team in the nation and a team that was undefeated in the conference.

Btw, is there anyone who thinks Dan Dakich isn't chalk-board scratching horrible at his job? I thought what he said about Sulaimon went over the line of professionalism.

My jaw dropped the FIRST time he commented on Sheed's Duke dismissal. Then, when he repeatedly kept crowbarring it into the broadcast, I got really pissed off. Absolutely out of line. Whatever he did had nothing to do with the game against Iowa last night. No reason to do that as a play by play guy. God, ESPN sucks.

Jake Layman might be my most hated Terp of all time. So much unbelievable potential that never seems to be within reach. I do credit him for an excellent defensive performance last night but his shooting is beyond miserable.

Looking for Stone to have another breakout performance. Hopefully it comes sooner than later. Wouldn't put it past this team to pull off a win like this and then crap the bed at Ohio St this weekend.

[Ruzious]

If Maryland can get their offensive issues figured out, they have the talent to be the best team in the country. The athletes they have let them play shutdown D.

Big win last night though. Probably cements a minimum top 3 seed in the NCAAs barrring something crazy happening the final month. Still got a shot at the conference regular season title too.

The reason they've played Dodd and Ram are because of their defense. Stone should play more minutes, but his defense is an issue. And Trimble is not a talented defender. Layman has dramatically improved his defense - and that's probably through hard work and... good coaching. When both Stone and Nickens were benched after not getting back on defense last night, Turgeon sent the right message. MD's defense is good, and that's a testament to their coaching.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Absolutely huge. Needed a signature win. The offense is still beyond horrible most of the time though. What's with the pussyfooting for 25 seconds around the perimeter before someone does something? Seems to be a Turgeon staple.

On a side note: anyone see an Antawn Jamison-lite in Robert Carter Jr.? Sort of has that same feel to his game. IMO the best all around player on the team at this point.

Yeah, he was definitely the best player last night and arguably has been all season. That last foul call on him was a joke. Too bad the jump shot wasn't working. Speaking of jump shots not working, Layman... wow, when he gets cold, I've never seen someone with such good form become such a bad shooter. How many wide open shots did he miss last night? Otoh, he had his best defensive performance as a Terp, so I can't blame the effort. Maybe he should see a sports psychologist about his shooting. I'll need to see one if he keeps missing.

It was a weird game - Layman was useless offensively, Trimble was in a funk all game, Stone was bleh and sat because of his defense, nobody could shoot jumpers in the 2nd half... but we beat the 3rd ranked team in the nation and a team that was undefeated in the conference.

Btw, is there anyone who thinks Dan Dakich isn't chalk-board scratching horrible at his job? I thought what he said about Sulaimon went over the line of professionalism.

Jake's IMO got some Jan Vesely "Tin Man" in him. He's got all the physical tools needed to be great, but Layman IMO lacks some swagger, and as a result he lacks the relaxed memory muscle on the offensive end. Ruzious, it's like he could have ADD or something--a cognitive impairment that a sports psychologist indeed might be able to help him with.

Jake isn't the only guy pressing. Jared Nickens is afraid to miss threes and Rasheed Sulaimon is choking at the line...

But for all that negative stuff, they really brought great effort and intensity for the most part on defense. They also played very unselfishly, particularly Robert Carter. They beat Iowa with defense, energy, and unselfishness.

[80sballboy]

One-and-done Maryland makes a statement. Sure, it wasn't pretty but it was a win over a Top 25 team .

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

One-and-done Maryland makes a statement. Sure, it wasn't pretty but it was a win over a Top 25 team .

I stand by what I said. I HOPE I'm wrong.

If they play defense like they did against Iowa more often I will be proven wrong.

[P'Oed]

Could've been a huge letdown game today. 19-3 doesn't lie but I just can't help feeling like this team doesn't look all that great most of the time. I guess as long as they win while they're trying to figure it out it doesn't matter too much. Just hope they get there by the time conference tournament time comes around.

[80sballboy]

One-and-done Maryland makes a statement. Sure, it wasn't pretty but it was a win over a Top 25 team .

I stand by what I said. I HOPE I'm wrong.

If they play defense like they did against Iowa more often I will be proven wrong.

Well, they'll likely be no lower than a 3 seed and probably a 2 seed. Sure, they can lay an egg in the second round against 14 or 15, but they are just so big and talented, I doubt it. Their biggest problem is lack of focus and relying too much on the three ball, when they have Stone and Carter inside. I thought they might have a letdown against Ohio State and they did at the beginning, but turned it on when they needed to. Just because they don't blow teams away like North Carolina, doesn't mean they aren't a contender. However, I think Turgeon holds this team back by not pressing and today they played at a very slow tempo. Trimble, Sulaimon, Layman and Carter need to run. Same with Nickens, though he's been a disappointment this season.

[Wizardspride]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyVgQiZtOG0[/youtube]

[Ruzious]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyVgQiZtOG0[/youtube]

He'll be an excellent backup to Wiley next season - though maybe they go to a 3 guard offense to get some more 3 point shooting. He's going to have to get a lot stronger to play any small forward. Cowan will likely win the PG spot over Brantley. Who knows - maybe Trimble returns?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Absolutely huge. Needed a signature win. The offense is still beyond horrible most of the time though. What's with the pussyfooting for 25 seconds around the perimeter before someone does something? Seems to be a Turgeon staple.

On a side note: anyone see an Antawn Jamison-lite in Robert Carter Jr.? Sort of has that same feel to his game. IMO the best all around player on the team at this point.

Yeah, he was definitely the best player last night and arguably has been all season. That last foul call on him was a joke. Too bad the jump shot wasn't working. Speaking of jump shots not working, Layman... wow, when he gets cold, I've never seen someone with such good form become such a bad shooter. How many wide open shots did he miss last night? Otoh, he had his best defensive performance as a Terp, so I can't blame the effort. Maybe he should see a sports psychologist about his shooting. I'll need to see one if he keeps missing.

It was a weird game - Layman was useless offensively, Trimble was in a funk all game, Stone was bleh and sat because of his defense, nobody could shoot jumpers in the 2nd half... but we beat the 3rd ranked team in the nation and a team that was undefeated in the conference.

Btw, is there anyone who thinks Dan Dakich isn't chalk-board scratching horrible at his job? I thought what he said about Sulaimon went over the line of professionalism.

My jaw dropped the FIRST time he commented on Sheed's Duke dismissal. Then, when he repeatedly kept crowbarring it into the broadcast, I got really pissed off. Absolutely out of line. Whatever he did had nothing to do with the game against Iowa last night. No reason to do that as a play by play guy. God, ESPN sucks.

Jake Layman might be my most hated Terp of all time. So much unbelievable potential that never seems to be within reach. I do credit him for an excellent defensive performance last night but his shooting is beyond miserable.

Looking for Stone to have another breakout performance. Hopefully it comes sooner than later. Wouldn't put it past this team to pull off a win like this and then crap the bed at Ohio St this weekend.

(Sorry to be responding late to Iowa game posts, Ruz and P'Oed)

Ruz: Dakich rhymes with jock Itch.

POed: I'm sorry "the Mothership" as Dan Patrick calls ESPN has gotten cheesy. I loved it back when CNN Sports was just as good or better than ESPN.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Could've been a huge letdown game today. 19-3 doesn't lie but I just can't help feeling like this team doesn't look all that great most of the time. I guess as long as they win while they're trying to figure it out it doesn't matter too much. Just hope they get there by the time conference tournament time comes around.

I LOVED this game! The thing I like the most in the incredible poise and swagger the Terps displayed even when it was down to 3 at the end.

My one complaint is the refs were like Bennie "Snake Eyes" Wilson:

WARNING: NSFW on language, from the movie Harlem Knights. Blind Bennie Wilson at the crap tables -- I think he reffed for OSU against the Terps. Mind boggling bad calls made it a very close game IMO.

Spoiler:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=538H6EYp_ZU[/youtube]

The real deal: I got some eye glass this weekend and FINALLY I could REALLY SEE good HDTV!!! I was driving around like Bennie Wilson on the streets of Oahu. THANK YOU, GOD; that my two moving vehicle accidents (several months apart) were both very very minor.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

One-and-done Maryland makes a statement. Sure, it wasn't pretty but it was a win over a Top 25 team .

I stand by what I said. I HOPE I'm wrong.

If they play defense like they did against Iowa more often I will be proven wrong.

Well, they'll likely be no lower than a 3 seed and probably a 2 seed. Sure, they can lay an egg in the second round against 14 or 15, but they are just so big and talented, I doubt it. Their biggest problem is lack of focus and relying too much on the three ball, when they have Stone and Carter inside. I thought they might have a letdown against Ohio State and they did at the beginning, but turned it on when they needed to. Just because they don't blow teams away like North Carolina, doesn't mean they aren't a contender. However, I think Turgeon holds this team back by not pressing and today they played at a very slow tempo. Trimble, Sulaimon, Layman and Carter need to run. Same with Nickens, though he's been a disappointment this season.

If NOT a 1 seed ... (HEY, I'm 55 today and old enough to change my mind. I know I said one and done just last game. )

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyVgQiZtOG0[/youtube]

He'll be an excellent backup to Wiley next season - though maybe they go to a 3 guard offense to get some more 3 point shooting. He's going to have to get a lot stronger to play any small forward. Cowan will likely win the PG spot over Brantley. Who knows - maybe Trimble returns?

I WISH they had Wiley right now, Ruz. Wiley would be making this good/great team even tougher.