Maryland Men’s Basketball

[Slotball]

Ground out a good, tough win this afternoon, at a place they hadn’t won in 7 years. Juju doing Juju things again, and Rice had an off day, but Queen, Gillespie, and Miguel had their backs. Queen is making himself a lot of money this second half of the season, and I don’t see any way he doesn’t go into the draft this year, unfortunately. Penn St played hard, needing a win to get into the tournament, so this was a good win. Two off shooting games in a row is a concern, hopefully they’ll get it back for Michigan Wed. night. Gonna need it.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I know MD has not been great at basketball the last several years, but I was shocked to hear that stat about not winning at Penn St the last 7 years. That’s just crazy.

Also, I’m glad to see them bounce back after that heartbreaker against Michigan’s St. The way a lot of the first half went, I thought it was going to be one of those losses that lingers and effects the next few games. But they found what they needed and did what they had to do to win the game. Good job to grind out a win.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I was well aware of this history at Penn State. I hate Penn State so this was a big one for me. What makes sports so great is you just don't know what's going to happen. There was no reason to expect Rice to hit that shot, I wanted to strangle him for 2 hours, but damned if he didn't. Very happy for him and relieved that we got a win because road wins are tough anywhere you play them.

 

[Slotball]

I was well aware of this history at Penn State. I hate Penn State so this was a big one for me. What makes sports so great is you just don't know what's going to happen. There was no reason to expect Rice to hit that shot, I wanted to strangle him for 2 hours, but damned if he didn't. Very happy for him and relieved that we got a win because road wins are tough anywhere you play them.

Got a huge one coming up Wednesday night at Crisler Center. Beating a very good Michigan team on the road would be quite an accomplishment!

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Got a huge one coming up Wednesday night at Crisler Center. Beating a very good Michigan team on the road would be quite an accomplishment!

I look at it as a great oportunity with little to lose. Unless they win it I don't give a rat's ass about the Big Ten Tournament. A loss to Michigan won't do much to hurt their seedings in the tournament that matters and a win could be big for them.

 

[Slotball]

If you didn’t see it, Lady Terps got a big win last night on Senior Night. They beat #12 Ohio St. in OT on a running 3 pointer at the buzzer. Also did it with one of their top players (Poffenbarger) out. She rolled her ankle pretty badly last week.

Win puts the ladies in the 4 seed for the B1G tourney, and a double bye. They don’t have the horses to compete with the top teams in the B1G (USC and UCLA), or nationally (Texas, ND, UConn, S. Carolina), but on their night, they can give anyone a run. Hoping Poff is back soon!

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

If you didn’t see it, Lady Terps got a big win last night on Senior Night. They beat #12 Ohio St. in OT on a running 3 pointer at the buzzer. Also did it with one of their top players (Poffenbarger) out. She rolled her ankle pretty badly last week.

Win puts the ladies in the 4 seed for the B1G tourney, and a double bye. They don’t have the horses to compete with the top teams in the B1G (USC and UCLA), or nationally (Texas, ND, UConn, S. Carolina), but on their night, they can give anyone a run. Hoping Poff is back soon!

I look at the Lady Terps like I do MD Lacrosse. I only pay attention if they get to the Final Four, which happens regularly. But I did watch a rare regular season lacrosse game, the rematch with Notre Dame and it was an unbelievable game.

 

[Slotball]

I look at the Lady Terps like I do MD Lacrosse. I only pay attention if they get to the Final Four, which happens regularly. But I did watch a rare regular season lacrosse game, the rematch with Notre Dame and it was an unbelievable game.

Well, I don’t think the Lady Terps have the guns this year to make a Final Four run, but ya never know!

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Well, I don’t think the Lady Terps have the guns this year to make a Final Four run, but ya never know!

I found rooting for the Terps Lacrosse in that rematch with Notre Dame, like rooting for the lady Terps and to some extent the Washington Nationals when they got to the World Series (I'm a Red Sox fan) was an interesting experience. I mean they are teams I root for playing in huge games, so there is the upside to watching them potentially win a big game or championship. But since I'm not so invested if they lose it's no big deal to me.

 

[abdcskins]

Jordan Geronimo with the dunk of the year. Rebounds, tip balls, blocks - he brings lots of energy off the bench. Gillespie has been struggling with his shot the last few games. Luckily Miguel is shooting out of his mind.

 

[abdcskins]

Huge win! Reese is so good defensively.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I’ve suspected that Michigan sucked, and I confirmed tonight that was true. MD played poorly in stretches and it still never felt to me like Michigan was a threat. I still think this team makes too many mental mistakes, and that’s where I wish the coaching was better. It seems like Willard at times expects his guys to know what to do. You have to coach them and teach them what to do. I guess in today’s game, you don’t really get that chance though. But a conference road win is always big and regardless of my opinion of Michigan, a top 20 road win is huge.

 

[abdcskins]

Their shot selection at times is bad, that is where I see them struggling. At the end of the day it is up to the players to execute. I think Willard is really good at preparing his teams and having an effective gameplan. His rotations are usually on point too, he gets as much off the bench as necessary.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I’ve suspected that Michigan sucked, and I confirmed tonight that was true. MD played poorly in stretches and it still never felt to me like Michigan was a threat. I still think this team makes too many mental mistakes, and that’s where I wish the coaching was better. It seems like Willard at times expects his guys to know what to do. You have to coach them and teach them what to do. I guess in today’s game, you don’t really get that chance though. But a conference road win is always big and regardless of my opinion of Michigan, a top 20 road win is huge.

I am not impressed with any BIG teams, I look for early exits in March again. Michigan can't shoot a 3 and was afraid to even try, they turn the ball over way too much. It's so important to be the team that gets the double digit lead, when the other team has to play uphill all evening you are at a big advantage. Because they can't hit 3's I was pretty confident the Terps would hold on.

But it was another good test for the Terps, a tough road game is the environment I want them playing in as they prepare for March Madness. This Maryland team is just so strange, they have 5 guys who can step up and score 12 points in a half. But then the same players who did this tends to go 2-10 in the next game, but someone else always picks it up. I called them a Wack-A-Mole team, 2 players pop up and have a good game, then they go back in the hole and 2 others pop up and shoot well. The exception is Queen who continues to exceed my expectations. Freshman bigs usually take a year or so to develop, not this guy.

I am really enjoying this season, like the Commanders I never expected them to be this good. Same with the Caps for that matter, just never expected all of this last summer.

 

[Slotball]

I am not impressed with any BIG teams, I look for early exits in March again. Michigan can't shoot a 3 and was afraid to even try, they turn the ball over way too much. It's so important to be the team that gets the double digit lead, when the other team has to play uphill all evening you are at a big advantage. Because they can't hit 3's I was pretty confident the Terps would hold on.

But it was another good test for the Terps, a tough road game is the environment I want them playing in as they prepare for March Madness. This Maryland team is just so strange, they have 5 guys who can step up and score 12 points in a half. But then the same players who did this tends to go 2-10 in the next game, but someone else always picks it up. I called them a Wack-A-Mole team, 2 players pop up and have a good game, then they go back in the hole and 2 others pop up and shoot well. The exception is Queen who continues to exceed my expectations. Freshman bigs usually take a year or so to develop, not this guy.

I am really enjoying this season, like the Commanders I never expected them to be this good. Same with the Caps for that matter, just never expected all of this last summer.

B1G has actually been quite good in the tournament the past couple years, and I expect more of the same this year. Only conference that may be stronger is the SEC. MSU is very strong, and could beat anybody in the nation, if they’re shooting well. Maryland, Wisconsin, and Purdue can play with anybody on their day. Michigan is a matchup nightmare for many teams because of their size, and if their backcourt plays well, they’ll be a tough out. UCLA is talented, but young…still a good team. Illinois is another who could jump up and bite someone, and the other I schools (Indiana, Iowa) can put up a fight. Northwestern too.

Terps gritted out another road win when they weren’t on their best last night, against a good team. Willard really earned his stripes this year, after the problems of last season. Hopefully it will lead to recruits wanting to come play for this program.

This team could make a decent tournament run, because they can get scoring across all their starting 5. Geronimo getting healthy at the right time now, and giving them quality bench minutes. Queen has been a monster this second half of the season, and team defense has been excellent.

Biggest disappointment for me has been Reese. Fourth year senior, been starting every year. Good size and athleticism, but seems to disappear in games far too often. He has scored 14 points total in the past 3 games, unacceptable. If Maryland IS to make a tournament run Reese will have to up his game, and help Queen.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

B1G has actually been quite good in the tournament the past couple years, and I expect more of the same this year. Only conference that may be stronger is the SEC. MSU is very strong, and could beat anybody in the nation, if they’re shooting well. Maryland, Wisconsin, and Purdue can play with anybody on their day. Michigan is a matchup nightmare for many teams because of their size, and if their backcourt plays well, they’ll be a tough out. UCLA is talented, but young…still a good team. Illinois is another who could jump up and bite someone, and the other I schools (Indiana, Iowa) can put up a fight. Northwestern too.

Terps gritted out another road win when they weren’t on their best last night, against a good team. Willard really earned his stripes this year, after the problems of last season. Hopefully it will lead to recruits wanting to come play for this program.

This team could make a decent tournament run, because they can get scoring across all their starting 5. Geronimo getting healthy at the right time now, and giving them quality bench minutes. Queen has been a monster this second half of the season, and team defense has been excellent.

Biggest disappointment for me has been Reese. Fourth year senior, been starting every year. Good size and athleticism, but seems to disappear in games far too often. He has scored 14 points total in the past 3 games, unacceptable. If Maryland IS to make a tournament run Reese will have to up his game, and help Queen.

The BIG did get a team to the Finals last year and 2 in the Elite Eight. But in 2023 every team was out by the second round, in '22 they only got 2 to the Sweet Sixteen where both were dismissed. The league has been a tough regular season schedule for Maryland but the BIG really failed in the Big Dance IMO when you consider how many league teams get in every year.

This season we have played with the top teams in the league, we are right there, but does any Maryland fan really feel this team is good enough to compete for a title or even a Final Four? Michigan can't shoot 3's and turns the ball over, this is not a formula for success in March. Is Michigan State really a title contender? I sure haven't seen that from them or any other BIG team for that matter. Just don't see any of them in the same catagory as Duke, Houston etc.

 

[Slotball]

But in 2023 every team was out by the second round,

Michigan State and UCLA were in the Sweet 16.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Michigan State and UCLA were in the Sweet 16.

I missed MSU and thought UCLA had not entered the league yet. But when you are supposed to be one of the best leagues in the country and send 8 teams to the tournament and the best you can get is 2 Sweet Sixteens, well that kind of means you aren't one of the best conferences in the country. And this year the teams at the top aren't even as good as that group.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

A win today secures a double bye in the conference tournament. Purdue lost last night and I had no idea what the tie breakers would be. But now it’s a certainty of a top 4 seed in the conference tournament with a win. I hope they come out determined to win and don’t let NW hang around. We saw that in Evanston and it ended in a loss

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

As I said I don't really care about the Big Ten Championship unless they win. You burn a lot of energy in games that don't really matter. But it also is good big game experience so I do hope they advance and getting a double bye will cut down on the games played. Just win today, that's what I'd do.