YEAH TERPS! What a game! This reminded me of the Michigan State win from earlier this year. Diving after loose balls, everything going in the basket. Everything was clicking.
This was a pretty evenly contest game until a HUGE swing at around the 10:30 mark of the second half. With the Terps nursing a two-point lead, Vasquez finds a wide-open Eric Hayes in the corner for a three. Cal didn’t convert on its possession, Hayes tracked down a rebound, and Dino Gregory (who played a great game) sent a touch pass to Landon Milbourne for another three. In the span of about 25 seconds, the lead went from two to eight. In total, it was a 9-0 run over 1:54.
In the last 10 minutes, Cal just couldn’t get anything consistent going. Interesting that they didn’t foul in the closing minutes. They just knew it was Maryland’s day. The Terps were unquestionably the better team today.
Play of the game came at the seven minute mark after Bowie missed a free throw and a scrum ensued. Bowie picked it up and, using the eyes in the back of his head, found Vasquez alone under the basket for an And-1. That was when everyone — both teams, both coaches, everyone — seemed to realize that it was all coming up Maryland. Vasquez was clearly the MVP, with a 27-6-2. Jesus. He has grown a ton over the last month or so.
The whole Terps team is peaking. Right now. What can they do against Memphis? Memphis looks to be tough right now as well, although they struggled a little against Cal Northridge in the first round.
First half recap of Terps win is below and here, if you’re interested.
Memphis up next on Saturday. We’ll be out of town, though, and won’t be blogging right after. Sorry, Mom.
GO TERPS!
(photo credit: Reinhold Matay — Associated Press)
Great effort by Dino Gregory as well. His follow-dunk was a lot of effort, his charge was great, and he was out there showing a lot of effort.
Hopefully we get more of that as the tourney progresses and next year.
Would have liked to see more Hayes offense, but just enough to keep things rolling.
Odd feeling to the game, I felt like we were playing like the favorites and barely hanging onto the lead (instead of being the 10 to their 7).
More zone against Memphis???
Oh yeah, I’d really love the Terps to beat Memphis. I’m a life long Terps fan (2nd generation, grew up in College Park), but got my undergrad from Bucknell. Sure would love some alma mater revenge (masters from MD).