In its final tuneup before the Big Ten schedule begins, Maryland basketball cruised past another overmatched opponent from a lower level of college basketball. The Terps tied a program record with their fifth win by 30 points or more.
247sports.com
Maryland basketball shows more promising signs in another blowout win
In its final tuneup before the Big Ten schedule begins, Maryland basketball cruised past another overmatched opponent from a lower level of college basketball. The Terps tied a program record with their fifth win by 30 points or more.
In its final tuneup before the Big Ten schedule begins, Maryland basketball cruised past another overmatched opponent from a lower level of college basketball. The Terps tied a program record with their fifth win by 30 points or more, handling Alcorn State, 96-58.
Mid-half run seals the deal early ... There was a tiny smattering of fans in the stands, no surprise given students have been gone for Thanksgiving break, it's an NFL Sunday and the opponent was an 0-8 team from a school most only know as the alma mater of former NFL star Steve McNair. This game was scheduled to get a sweat in during the break, bridging the gap between the holiday and the Big Ten opener against Ohio State this week. So with no energy in the building, it wasn't surprising to see a flat start by the Terps, who saw Alcorn State (0-9) go on a 12-1 run to take the lead.
But Maryland abruptly turned it on. DeShawn Harris-Smith knocked down a free throw and then was the beneficiary of the latest sweet pass by Derik Queen, who found him cutting to the basket for a layup. Rodney Rice (12 points, five assists) missed a couple of threes but was undeterred, driving to the basket for a fastbreak layup to give Maryland a 20-18 lead. Queen showed off his face-up game, knocking down a 15-footer from atop the key. Rice drilled a three, Queen blocked a shot and Rice whipped the ball to Jay Young for a run-out layup. With that, the Terps had retaken control of the game, making seven of nine shots during their run.
.
.
continued
.
.
Miguel started his Maryland career slowly, shooting less than 50 percent in each of the first four games and sometimes taking questionable shots. But he appears to be getting more comfortable with his new teammates. He shot 5-for-10 and has been above 50 percent while scoring at least 13 points in three of the past four games. Never bashful about hunting his shot, he showed unselfishness in the second half by passing on an open breakaway layup and lobbing the ball to Gapare for a dunk.
Login to view embedded media
Julian Reese started the season a bit slowly, perhaps because he was getting used to playing alongside another big man in Queen. He continued to look increasingly comfortable and assertive today, though, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds on 2-for-4 shooting. The senior center posted his 25th career double-double with more than 13 minutes left and made 10 of 12 from the free throw line, a welcome sight given his struggles there. He made his first three free throws and after a miss was negated by an Alcorn State lane violation, made his fourth. Then he swatted a shot and set a screen for Rice, freeing him to knock down an open jumper. Later in the half, he remained perfect at the line, making his fifth and sixth free throws.
In the past six games, Reese is averaging 14.8 points on 67 percent shooting.
Tafara Gapare's recent emergence has added even more balance and firepower. Coming off that breakout 19-point game against Bucknell, the reserve forward posted nine points, eight rebounds and seven blocks, again showing off his bounciness near the rim. Gapare looks like an increasingly impactful player off the bench this year and potentially a key starter next season.
Maryland's passing is improving fast and it was seamless today. The Terps unselfishly whipped the ball around sharply all afternoon, recording 25 assists on 32 made baskets, an elite ratio. Queen (6-of-9 for 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks) again showed off his unusual passing ability, dropping several dimes.It's easy to see their chemistry growing. Rice posted five assists in the first half and is increasingly looking like a reliable secondary ballhandler, which some wouldn't have predicted based on his reputation as a shooter.
They entered the day ranked 11th nationally in both turnovers per game (11.7) and turnovers forced (17.1), a formula for winning lots of games.
They also had their best 3-point shooting day of the young season, going 11 for 23. That's been a weakness. Seven players made at least one. It won't be nearly this easy against Big Ten teams.
Late in the game, Harris-Smith (10 points) might've generated some much-needed confidence, driving for a layup on the break and then knocking down a three. Seconds later, Young hit from the same spot to extend their lead to 38 points.
Up next ... After a run of mostly overmatched opponents Maryland used to gain cohesiveness, the Terps will have an opportunity to gauge where they stand when Ohio State visits on Wednesday. The Buckeyes (5-2) are coming off a deflating loss against Pitt, during which they squandered late leads in regulation and overtime.
Just sayin': Maryland is 7-1 beating Manhattan, Mount St. Mary's, Florida A&M, Canisius, Villanova, Bucknell, and Alcorn State; while losing to #15 Marquette (the only ranked team that have played).
I saw a picture of their Infinity Center (below), are the yellow shirts all students or did they have some free give away t-shirt promotion?
