Any chance against duke??

A couple other points...FT% AGAIN! 11/21 huh? That changes the entire complexion of the game. Hit those and it could go to the wire. Even Stoglin (usually a good ft shooter) was 2/7 or something...might be right he might be in the doghouse. Another thing...it's apparent that Len despite  7'1 cannot guard an experienced guy that's say 6'10 or so. Just can't do it. He made that one duke whatever his name is look like an all star, even though the guy's moves were actually pretty slow. He just doesn't seem to have the physical strength either to hold his position and he's clearly hesitant to strongly go to the hoop with another big guarding him. Probably still an anke issue combined with freshman limitations. Terps did seem to be more patient with the ball though, trying to actually run a play much of the night: I think that helped keep them in the game. Overall it seemed like a closer contest than what we've been giving them the past few years, but then again I'm not awestruck by them this year. VT next is no gimme kind of a desparate, dangerous team. 

Terps did seem to be more patient with the ball though, trying to actually run a play much of the night: I think that helped keep them in the game.

I agree that was the case for the first ten minutes of each half.  But as has been the case the entire season, once Duke made a couple of buckets in succession and started a run, the Terps immediately fell back to the "give the ball to Stoglin and get out of the way" routine which 9 times out of 10 results in a forced shot that doesn't go in.  This team is still green and immature.  They ARE making progress and learning; unfortunately, the only way these kids will continue to improve is by taking their lumps against good ACC competition.  As Mouly said, "next year, next year."

The Stoglin situation concerns me.  It will be a case of "1 step forward, two steps back" if he and Turgeon can't resolve their issues and Terrell decides to transfer out of Maryland next season.  Physically-talented player, but lacks concentration, focus and maturity much of the time.  I don't blame Turgeon for being frustrated with him one bit.

Good observations re: Len, terpo.  Thanks for the firsthand account of the game/atmosphere, Mouly. 


LET"S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, MARYLAND!!     BEAT THE HOKIES!!

No lay down in this team Mac. At least if there is I haven't seen it.

I picked up the end of the game and I too noticed Stoglin was obvious by his absence on the court with about 4 min left and only an 8 point lead. Figures something happened, but his stat line at that point was not horrible i didn't think so I wonder what happened. I though mark had come out and said that he had finally started to realize how to coach Stoglin but apparently not. I really hope this is not turning into another Gilchrist thing, but as he gets more of his own players in here, the Gary holdovers may want to think about transferring as Tirgeon does not strike me as aomeone to put up with the plan not being followed if he has options.

The last person I am going to fault in this game is Alex Len.  He obviously needs more skill catching the ball, but even the ESPN broadcasters stated that the long pass to Len would not have been an easy catch and make due to his race toward the basket and proximity to the baseline.  Let us remember that Alex Len is a freshman who was brought up as a traditional European ball player and has only played in a few games for the Terrapins.  He was also guarding two of the most talented tall forwards in the conference in the Plumlee brothers.  The Plumlees made those same hook shots over other Terrapin defenders.  Len will get stronger as he matures and will become more comfortable playing American basketball in Turgeon's system.  He has already shown signs of being a great scorer and rebounder and can step out for the long ball if he is open.  Grading him on his performance against one of the great teams in the conference at this point in his career is premature at best.  I think he will be much improved by the start of next season.

Don't get me wrong memphis I think he will improve greatly as well, just now at 18 it ain't gonna happen. I've stated before, at the college age there is an immense difference in physical/mental strength over just a 2 year span with kids this age. 

Not to mention he can't even understand what most people are saying on our team or the other team. That is an entire dynamic or sense that he has to overcome. Not to mention being in college itself. passin college classes in the US, which is at a much higher standard that "university" training in his country, and doing it while not speaking the primary language is very hard. This is an 18 year old kid that didn't go away to college from NJ. his family and eveything he has ever known is halfway around the world. in any other situation he probably would have been redshirted to give him a chance to acclimate before expecting him to do all that and compete in the ACC.

he has the skill as he showed in the few nonconference games he go to play in, but that is not enough of a preseason to expect any freshman, let alone a non-english speaking one, to do any more than what he is doing. Like I said, the big disappointement is that his freshman year is basically wasted when we coul have gotten full good years out if him in other circumstances.

Much like the rest of the team, i will reserve judgement until the beginning of next year to see what this experiencer has done for them, and if we are barely beating lower echelon conference teams during the first few months of the year or still getting blown out by Iona. I think Alex and the rest of the team will be fine by then.

I know I'm a little late on this one...............but been the first time on these boards since the Duke game.

I was lucky enough to go to the game, 15 rows off the court.  The atmosphere was freakin AWESOME!! 

Terps played pretty strong, but unfortunately, they only played 30 minutes of a 40 minute game.

Next year, I want floor seats - lol