Pittsburgh (17-2, 5-1) heads to the Comcast Center to face the Terps (11-8, 3-3). The Panthers beat MD 79-59 in Pittsburgh January 6th.
With MD losing at NCST (with the Wolfpack playing without Warren, and MD losing their half-time lead); people are again (with reason) down about the Terps.
Maryland was not able to build off their quality 2nd half vs. Notre Dame, and there remains some question about what you are going to see from the Terps on a given night.
You know you are going to see limited post play, trouble against zone defenses, and poor 1/2 court sets. You don't know if you will see MD be able to get their transition game working. Don't know if they will be able to force their way to the line. (Most of the time they do not, there have been moments/games where they have had success getting to the charity stripe... just not consistent.) Don't know if you will see MD able to consistently get penetration in the lane. Don't know if you will see shots falling from outside. Don't know how often they will press/trap, and what success they will have forcing turnovers.
When MD lost at Pittsburgh, it was a 6 point game at the half. Pittsburgh had pushed that lead to 6 over the last 3 minutes of the half. With 6 and 1/2 minutes gone in the 2nd half, the Terps were down 11 and never got closer.
- The teams were even on the boards, both having 36.
- Pittsburgh made 53% of their attempts, including 6 of 10 from 3.
- MD had a liveable 13 turnovers, but Pittsburgh had just 7.
- Wells, and Layman were a combined 3 of 13 from the floor, scoring 8 total points.
- Smotrycz took 13 shots, including 11 from 3.
- Pittsburgh got to the line for 25 attempts.
- Durand Johnson (from Baltimore) had 17 points vs. MD. He has since torn his ACL.
At NCST, even after Warren was ruled out; I thought the Terps would win a close game by pulling away late. Up 9 at the half, and 11 early in the 2nd, there was no excuse for that loss. Even when you acknowledge that winning on the road, and conference games are always difficult.
Since road, and conference games are always difficult - I don't think anyone should be shocked if MD wins Saturday. The Panthers will have the memory of beating MD fresh in their heads. The MD players will have the memory of being beat by Pitt fresh in their heads. If Comcast is rocking, an upset is possible. I will say if the upset happens, that will be somewhat irritating. Irritating because beating a quality team means less if you don't also win games (Boston University, NCST) you don't have business losing.
Of course, just like MD could pull the upset, this could also be another beating from Pittsburgh. The Panthers have the profile of a team that does not beat themselves. They are going to play defense. They are going to be active on the boards. Their zone and physicality is a nightmare for MD.
The Terps don't have the personnel to run a structured offense. MD's offense has to start from effort on the defensive end, forcing turnovers, and getting out in transition. After every made Pittsburgh basket, MD should be looking to get right back on the heels of the Panthers. It will be interesting to see what adjustments Coach Turgeon makes in this rematch.
