Maryland Men’s Basketball

[Darrell Green Fan]

Yeah, this team is so much better than last years team. But they still struggle with consistency. This is probably the most talented team since the 2019-2020 team, but I’m still waiting to see it all come together.

For the first 15 minutes they played like an elite team. I love the mid range jumpers they tend to be good at, but they got away from that. I've been saying all season they had a number of guys who can go for 10 in a half. But those same players can go 3 games with 7 total points. I have no idea what happend to Gapare. Earlier in the season he was maybe my favorite player.

 

[Slotball]

For the first 15 minutes they played like an elite team. I love the mid range jumpers they tend to be good at, but they got away from that. I've been saying all season they had a number of guys who can go for 10 in a half. But those same players can go 3 games with 7 total points. I have no idea what happend to Gapare. Earlier in the season he was maybe my favorite player.

I think with Gapare it’s the problem of not being a smart basketball player. He has good size, can shoot, and plus athleticism. He just makes too many mistakes, especially in defense, and also seems to not read situations well on offense, and is often not in the right position.

He does have a lot of talent though, and should be a good coaching challenge for Willard, to see if he can make him a better player this offseason.

As far as this team “coming together,” I think we are seeing that right now. With kids getting paid in college now, we are going to see turnover every year. It’ll be the coaches who can get their new talent to gel that will be successful. It will be as much on the personalities, as it will be on the coach, oil and water just won’t mix. It’s a new era in college sports, at least until there’s some regulation of NIL money, and the successful ones will be those that pick the right guys, and get them to play together quickest. Especially in basketball, rosters will change dramatically every year.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I think with Gapare it’s the problem of not being a smart basketball player. He has good size, can shoot, and plus athleticism. He just makes too many mistakes, especially in defense, and also seems to not read situations well on offense, and is often not in the right position.

He does have a lot of talent though, and should be a good coaching challenge for Willard, to see if he can make him a better player this offseason.

As far as this team “coming together,” I think we are seeing that right now. With kids getting paid in college now, we are going to see turnover every year. It’ll be the coaches who can get their new talent to gel that will be successful. It will be as much on the personalities, as it will be on the coach, oil and water just won’t mix. It’s a new era in college sports, at least until there’s some regulation of NIL money, and the successful ones will be those that pick the right guys, and get them to play together quickest. Especially in basketball, rosters will change dramatically every year.

I was worried they would lose their edge with 8 days off as they were playing well. But they came out firing and were really good to start the game. I have no idea why they went away from Reece down low.

 

[Slotball]

Got a solid win against a really physical Rutgers, with Gapare out sick, Juju with one of his disappearing act games, and very poor officiating. Also, Geronimo gave Maryland some terrific minutes on both ends, but then had to leave the game, after taking an elbow that knocked out a tooth.

Lot of NBA scouts at the game, with Bailey and Harper both expected to go early in this year’s draft, but it was Derik Queen who shined. Double-double by halftime, and ended up with 29 and 15, with 5 assists too. Miguel hit some big 3s, and Rice chipped in 19. Good defense, and Bailey having to sit a good chunk of the second half led to a win that should have been easier than it was. I’m sure there will be a lot of free throw shooting practice next couple days.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Good bounce back win today. Queen was great and really took over down the stretch. I’d still like to see them work for easier baskets when they have a big lead. It seems like they get hot and take a lead and then keep jacking up the first shot they see. Sometimes. It’s not even a good shot. When the game got close, they started working for easier and open shots. I just wish they would keep that mindset when they are up double digits. It would keep these games from getting closer than they should be. They could cruise to victory.

 

[Slotball]

Good bounce back win today. Queen was great and really took over down the stretch. I’d still like to see them work for easier baskets when they have a big lead. It seems like they get hot and take a lead and then keep jacking up the first shot they see. Sometimes. It’s not even a good shot. When the game got close, they started working for easier and open shots. I just wish they would keep that mindset when they are up double digits. It would keep these games from getting closer than they should be. They could cruise to victory.

Yeah, good observation…looks like something they worked on in practice this week after the OSU loss.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Maryland teams have historically not put their foot on the throat when they get up big. They seem to always let the other team hang around and get back in the game. They had such an edge in size, even with JuJu sitting most of the game they (without looking ) clearly dominated the boards. Best Queen game of his career so far, he is even better than I anticipated because freshmen bigs usually take a year to develop.

Just a good solid win I saw after the Super Bowl to relieve my depression.

 

[Slotball]

I know this may be a big ask, but Juju, can you please remove your head from your ass?

 

[Slotball]

Nebraska being crazy physical , trying to get the Maryland bigs (especially) off their game. Need to go to more of the high-low game, IMO.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I've never seen the fake clock countdown by the students actually work. I had to LOL at Rodney Rice and remind myself that these are still after all dumb kids sometimes.

Queen is even better than I expected him to be.

Post game show said Maryland may have the best starting 5 in the country.

I'm OK with all of this.

.

 

[Slotball]

Another really good Quad 1 win on the road last night. Queen is stepping up, and becoming a force. Juju had a Juju game…contributed at some big times, and did a few things that make you want to bang your head against a wall. Backcourt just continues to deliver on a nightly basis. If this team can stay out of foul trouble, they can play with anybody. Hoping they can put together a run to grab a top 4 seed for the B1G tournament.

Gapare sat again last night…must have gotten a really bad case of flu. Hopefully he is fit for Sunday, as he provides good minutes in the front court. DHS has become head scratchingly bad this season. He needs to get his head together, so he can give the front court more valuable minutes.

 

[CrimsonHide1970]

And maybe it was about football as much as anything else, not sure... but I do miss singing

'Virginia was Virginia, when Maryland was a pup...
Virginia will be Virginia when Maryland grows up.
And if you Maryland Terrapins don't like my Cavalier sass,
you can pucker up your Maryland lips and kiss my Cavalier ass...'

Wahoowa, Boone.

 

[Slotball]

Wahoowa, Boone.

Virginia is for losers 💔

 

[Slotball]

I've never seen the fake clock countdown by the students actually work. I had to LOL at Rodney Rice and remind myself that these are still after all dumb kids sometimes.

Queen is even better than I expected him to be.

Post game show said Maryland may have the best starting 5 in the country.

I'm OK with all of this.

.

Another fun fact: Derik Queen leads all freshman in games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds this season. He has done it 5 times. Cooper Flagg has one less.

 

[abdcskins]

I've never seen the fake clock countdown by the students actually work. I had to LOL at Rodney Rice and remind myself that these are still after all dumb kids sometimes.

Queen is even better than I expected him to be.

Post game show said Maryland may have the best starting 5 in the country.

I'm OK with all of this.

.

I watched the postgame too, I am a big fan of Andy Katz. You can tell he likes Maryland. I would agree they have one of the best starting 5 in the country. The lack of bench production is what worries me.

DHS does need to get it together. He is not a very good ball-handler. He plays pretty good defense and rebounds strong. His best offensive game is moving without the ball and getting backdoor passes to score.

Queen is doing his thing. He has really good body control for a big man and a nice little fadeaway. He crashes the boards very well offensively. Overally a very good player, I hope he stays for a second season.

 

[Slotball]

Wow! These guys look like they’re starting to put it together as a team. Didn’t get to watch like I wanted to, as was visiting family this evening, but we had the game on. I did get to see the first half for the most part. Was a tad concerned, but told the wife that I couldn’t see Iowa keeping up this pace, and making shots like that in the second half. Guess I was right.

Queen with another dominant performance in the second half, and that backcourt…just WOW! Definitely one of the best starting 5’s in the country. They’ve won 7 of last 8, and chalked up 20 wins early this season. USC Thursday night, and hopefully they’ll keep this train chugging on. Need to, as all the other teams in the top 6 won, bar Purdue. Nice to see Gapare back, and getting a couple minutes tonight. Going to need everybody down the stretch, and in the tournaments.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I don't see DHS ever getting it together. He belongs at a much lower level next season. Just like with 1st round draft picks sometimes high recruits miss.

What a 2nd half performance last night. I was rooting so hard for them to get to 100. People take notice around the country when you score 100 points. I am pretty excited. I was just hoping they didn't suck, now it appears they are actually pretty good.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Another strong showing last night. They do get in these lulls where I think they just relax when they get up big. It’s only bit them once, but heading into March, they still need to clean that up. Otherwise, as a team, you can’t ask for much more. When one guy is having an off night, another one or two step up. That makes it very difficult for opposing defenses as they have to guard all 5 guys and can’t just focus on stopping the star.

 

[Slotball]

Oregon with a big comeback win today at Wisconsin sets up a big two week finish for the Big 10, and Maryland. Terps are now tied for 3rd with Wisconsin and Purdue. They each have played the others once this season, with Wisconsin beating Purdue, Maryland beating Wisconsin, and Purdue beating Maryland. These last 4 games are going to be huge.

Terps have Michigan St., who are playing really good ball right now, at Xfinity next. They then go on the road to Penn State, and Michigan. They finish at College Park against Northwestern. If they can win 3 of those 4, I think that assures them of a top 4 seed, and double bye, for the B1G tournament. If they do that, and finish 24-7, they may get a 4 seed in the Big Dance, provided they win a game, at least, in the B1G tournament.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Another strong showing last night. They do get in these lulls where I think they just relax when they get up big. It’s only bit them once, but heading into March, they still need to clean that up. Otherwise, as a team, you can’t ask for much more. When one guy is having an off night, another one or two step up. That makes it very difficult for opposing defenses as they have to guard all 5 guys and can’t just focus on stopping the star.

I once described this team as Wack-A-Mole. They don't have that one guy who steps up with big games on a regular basis, although Queen is getting close. Most of the year 2-3 players will pop up and have a really good game, the next time out they go back in the hole and it's another 2-3 players, with some obvioius overlap.

This is good and bad. Most every really good team has that guy the team looks to to go win the game. They don't have that one guy but maybe with so many options that's a better situation as the defense has to cover everyone and can't focus on one guy.