Last night Maryland overwhelmed Chaminade in the first round of the Maui Invitational. They didn’t play especially well, though. It is somewhat discomfiting that Vasquez had yet another sluggish game, finishing with six points on 2-7 shooting. On the season, he’s now shooting a crisp 30 percent from the floor. I know he’s getting it done in other areas (leading the team in assists, for example), and I know it’s a long season and “he’s just biding his time” and yadda yadda. But the Vasquez Terrapins haven’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt in Cupcake Land, that’s all I’m saying. You know what I’m saying? That’s all I’m saying.

In any event, the Terps won based on the internationally acclaimed strategy of being bigger and stronger than their opponents. Good news for the Terps, bad news for the Silverswords. I love that nickname by the way. Although it doesn’t really scream “Hawaii” to me. The University of Hawaii is the Rainbow Warriors…now see, that’s Hawaiian. Chaminade should be the Pineapples, or the Mahi Mahis, or the Volcano Danglers. That would be great.

So tonight at 7 p.m., the Terps face the Bearcats of Cincinnati, who grinded (ground?) out a win against Vanderbilt last night. Naturally, everyone is keying on the matchup with five-star shooting guard, former Maryland recruiting target, possible criminal, and possible weirdo Lance Stephenson, who finished last night’s game with eight points and five rebounds. The tougher test, however, could be from 6′9″ power forward Yancy Gates, who got a 16 and 10 last night. Could be an interesting barometer for the young bigs.