13 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

Following their victory over Bucknell on Thanksgiving Eve, Maryland will host Alcorn State in College Park this weekend in their final tune-up game before conference play begins on Wednesday night. The Braves will play South Alabama on Friday morning, but currently hold a record of 0-7 in Landon Bussie's fourth year as head coach. None of their players are averaging more than 9 points per game, and they're shooting just 34% from the field as a team.

 

Maryland is 2-0 all-time against Alcorn State, winning last year's matchup by 40 points.

 

KenPom Rankings

• Maryland: #34 (#43 ORtg, #27 DRtg; #190 AdjT)
• Alcorn State: #356 (#347 ORtg, #350 DRtg; #345 AdjT)

[BSLMikeLowe]

Good lord this is a Turgeon-era non conference schedule.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Good lord this is a Turgeon-era non conference schedule.

Honestly, I can't even remember Turgeon having this many 300+ ranked KenPom opponents (believe it's seven this year). It's historically weak, even for Maryland. Willard's response to the criticism has been "well, sometimes KenPom is full of shit", but it's a legitimate question after tougher non-conference schedules seemed to be a mandate from Damon Evans during his first two years. Not sure what changed.

 

Next year might be tougher with the trip to Maui and Marquette on the schedule. Maybe Georgetown will be better, but they've looked like crap under Cooley so far. And who knows what Virginia will look like.

 

EDIT: The Maui trip won't be until 2026, so who knows what next year's schedule looks like.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Yeah there’s no defending the level of competition. Regardless of what anyone thinks of KenPom, any set of eyes can tell these opponents are bad. Add to that that Villanova and Syracuse are programs whose brand is clearly outplaying their teams right now. They competed with a good Marquette team, but other than that I have no idea at this point if they are any good or not.

[You Play to Win the Game]

That Villanova game could end up looking like a good one. That looked like a pretty good team that got off to a rough start.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Alcorn State lost their game against South Alabama in overtime yesterday, and will come into College Park with an 0-8 record.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland enters this game as 31.5-point favorites. ESPN gives them a 99.0% chance to win.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Starting Five: Gillespie, Rice, Miguel, Reese, Queen

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland with some very sloppy play early on. Alcorn State on a 9-0 run as they take the lead.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Terps respond with a 9-0 run of their own.

[BSLZackKiesel]

And just like that, it’s a 22-2 run for Maryland and they’re running away with this one.

[BSLZackKiesel]

48-31 Maryland at halftime.

They shot 55% from the field during the first half, including 50% from beyond the arc. Out-rebounded the Braves 23-14, and shot 83% from the free throw line.

Miguel leads all scorers with 11 points, Reese has snagged 9 rebounds and is 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Reese has secured a double-double, his third of the season.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland wins, 96-58.

They shot 57% from the field, including 48% from beyond the arc. Out-rebounded Alcorn State 44-31, and shot 88% from the free throw line. Queen led all scorers with 20 points, with Harris-Smith, Miguel, Reese, and Rice all joining him in double-figures.

Next game comes at home against Ohio State on Wednesday night.