The Terps, 12-6, 2-2, face a daunting task against #6 Duke (16-3, 4-1) tomorrow night at Comcast. Emotions are always high against the Blue Devils, and will be raised further with the court being named after Gary Williams (there are pictures to be found already at several sites online).
Duke is coming off a 3 point loss to FSU.
The Blue Devils have also lost to Temple, and to Ohio State.
Among their wins are Michigan State, Tennessee, Michigan, Kansas, Washington, and UVA.
Duke enters the game:
10th overall in PPG: 80.5
133rd overall in Rebounds: 35.6
134th overall in Assists: 13.4
13th overall in FG%: .492
The Terps are:
168th in PPG: 68.7
93rd in Rebounds: 36.5
308th overall in Assists: 10.8
178th overall in FG%: .434
Duke has 8 players averaging 12.4+ minutes per game, and 10 players averaging over 8.5. Five different Blue Devils are scoring in double-figures, with Freshman Austin Rivers leading Duke at 14.4 ppg. Rivers is shooting 44% from the field, 40% from 3, but only 69% from the line.
Duke as a whole, is shooting a surprisingly low 69% from the FT line.
Mason Plumlee (who is joined by brothers Miles, and Marshall) is averaging 9.3 boards per game, and is shooting 61% from the floor.
In Duke's 3 losses, Ryan Kelly has scored 0 points against Ohio State, 5 points against Temple, and 10 points against FSU. For the year, he averages 12.4 ppg.
Had MD split with FSU and Temple, they would be in decent shape overall tournament resume wise. With those two losses, the pressure increases for a 'marquee' victory over Duke or UNC in the 4 games against those teams. Obviously a win in any of those games is unlikely, but the odds are better at home.
For the Terps to compete, MD has to be able to do the following:
1) Get to the foul line, and covert.
2) Win on the boards.
3) Avoid excess turnovers, and lost possessions.
We know that Len injured his ankle against Temple, but Turgeon expects him to be able to play tomorrow. After 12 points and 11 boards against NCST, Len has provided very little scoring (8 total points) in the following four games. Even if he is not scoring tomorrow, he has to provide help on the boards like he did against Georgia Tech (9 rebounds).
MD vs. Duke 1/25
Started by
BSLChrisStoner
, Jan 24 2012 09:42 AM
4 replies to this topic
#1
BSLChrisStoner
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#2
SportsGuy
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Posted 24 January 2012 - 11:12 AM
If the perimeter players for MD knock down shots and exploit the awful Duke perimeter defense, MD has a good chance to win.
Stoglin should have a big game.
Stoglin should have a big game.
#3
Mackus
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Posted 24 January 2012 - 12:50 PM
I haven't watched very much of Duke to know what to expect from them, but my guess is that Maryland plays hard, and pretty well, but falls short. Keeps it withing 5-9 points for most of the game, but the lead stretches out to about 12-15 over the final minutes.
I'm very excited for the game, though. This will be my first MD/Duke game I get to go to since the game where Dave Neal knocked out Nolan Smith. Also excited for the court dedication. Getting that energy up should help MD start the game strong.
I agree that Stoglin will do his thing like usual, and if Mosley, Howard, Parker, or Faust can step up and knock down some perimeter shots rather than continually throwing up bricks like they have most of the season, things may get interesting. I expect Len to play and be a factor on the glass, but not score very much. Duke seems like they clean things up well inside, so I don't expect a lot of 2nd chance opportunities for Padgett and Pankey.
I'm very excited for the game, though. This will be my first MD/Duke game I get to go to since the game where Dave Neal knocked out Nolan Smith. Also excited for the court dedication. Getting that energy up should help MD start the game strong.
I agree that Stoglin will do his thing like usual, and if Mosley, Howard, Parker, or Faust can step up and knock down some perimeter shots rather than continually throwing up bricks like they have most of the season, things may get interesting. I expect Len to play and be a factor on the glass, but not score very much. Duke seems like they clean things up well inside, so I don't expect a lot of 2nd chance opportunities for Padgett and Pankey.
#5
Mackus
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Posted 26 January 2012 - 10:09 AM
Great atmosphere last night. Student section was fantastic. The court naming ceremony was short but nice. Lot of former Terps in attendance, with the big draw being Juan Dixon. Gymkana at halftime, gotta love that.
The Terps played very hard as usual, but again are simply outclassed in terms of talent. Padgett and Pankey couldn't guard Plumlee down low. When Weiss was on Plumlee, he did a little bit better, but then Padgett couldn't run around with Kelly, who really burned the Terps all game. Len being a non-factor in the first half and then a liability due to being incapable of catching anything thrown to him, or if he did manage to corral it he threw up errant jump shots, was a major blow to the Terps. I think if he had avoided foul trouble and had a normal offensive game, it would've been a very different game. He looked like he could slow Plumlee, and adding 8 points or so during our cold stretch would've been huge.
MD also gave up far too many free baskets. Howard got beat 2 or 3 times like he was standing still. Unacceptable. Faust had a nice first half, even though he missed a wide open layup after making a great move down the middle to the rim. But in the biggest moment of the game, he came up way short. He missed a wide open three from the corner with about 4 minutes left that would've cut the lead to something manageable, Pankey stepped up and got the rebound, and swung it around to the other side. The next shot missed, but Faust aggressively got in uncovered for the rebound and easy tip-in/dunk opportunity but he missed it badly. That possession really cut short any attempt the Terps had at getting back in the game. The two jumpers he did make, were both really lucky on some fortunate bounces off the rim from along the sideline. Still disappointed overall with how he's playing, we need more from someone so talented.
The Terps played very hard as usual, but again are simply outclassed in terms of talent. Padgett and Pankey couldn't guard Plumlee down low. When Weiss was on Plumlee, he did a little bit better, but then Padgett couldn't run around with Kelly, who really burned the Terps all game. Len being a non-factor in the first half and then a liability due to being incapable of catching anything thrown to him, or if he did manage to corral it he threw up errant jump shots, was a major blow to the Terps. I think if he had avoided foul trouble and had a normal offensive game, it would've been a very different game. He looked like he could slow Plumlee, and adding 8 points or so during our cold stretch would've been huge.
MD also gave up far too many free baskets. Howard got beat 2 or 3 times like he was standing still. Unacceptable. Faust had a nice first half, even though he missed a wide open layup after making a great move down the middle to the rim. But in the biggest moment of the game, he came up way short. He missed a wide open three from the corner with about 4 minutes left that would've cut the lead to something manageable, Pankey stepped up and got the rebound, and swung it around to the other side. The next shot missed, but Faust aggressively got in uncovered for the rebound and easy tip-in/dunk opportunity but he missed it badly. That possession really cut short any attempt the Terps had at getting back in the game. The two jumpers he did make, were both really lucky on some fortunate bounces off the rim from along the sideline. Still disappointed overall with how he's playing, we need more from someone so talented.
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