Before I throw out my two cents on the Maryland/Duke game last night, let me express my opinion on the Terp fans who rushed the court at the end of the game. Non-Maryland fans will certainly criticize Terp fans for rushing the court in a game where they didn’t even beat a #1 ranked team. Also, Maryland didn’t need this win in order to get into the NCAA tournament. I know all the haters out there could care less that Maryland won the game, they just want to comment on how bush league our fans acted. National sports talk radio is buzzing because they think we should act like we have won a big game and “been there” before. I agree 100%; however, Terp fans HATE DUKE. Can you really blame us for wanting to celebrate after beating a team that we hate with such a passion on Senior night? And, if you have ever go or have been to an ACC tournament, it is understood that Maryland has the most obnoxious and classless fans. A small campus riot and post game court rush isn’t anything new for the image of Terp fans. But please, let’s focus on this sidebar and overlook the quality of basketball that Maryland played last night.
I know….the ACC is terrible, Duke isn’t that great, and all of the Terp wins this season are tainted etc. etc. etc. If you didn’t graduate from Maryland you still think the team is mediocre, and one win at home on Senior night isn’t going to change your perception. Even if Maryland beats Virginia to garner its 13th conference win, naysayers will just say the Terps took advantage of a weakened ACC.
I didn’t get to watch the first 30 minutes of the game because I was at the Alice in Chains concert, and haven’t had time to watch the game on DVR. My analysis is pointless anyhow because anything I say will be construed as “I am biased homer who can’t assess Maryland objectively.”
After starting the game 1-9 from the field and digging a 14 point deficit, Duke played like the #4 team in the country for the remaining 30 minutes (only 8 turnovers for the whole game). Even Coach K admitted the Dukies played well, so Maryland didn’t win because Duke laid an egg. Once again Maryland played a team that brought the heat into the Comcast Center and the Terps were able to weather the storm. The final 5 minutes of the game provided a dramatic theatre as each team made a number of clutch shots. I will admit that Vasquez made some difficult running one-handers down the stretch (which seem lucky to non-MD fans), but Terp fans know that these are his trademark. I was proud the Terps were able to execute in the half court offense and finish their sets under extreme pressure on national television. Success breeds confidence and you can see the change in this Maryland team from where they were two months ago.
Once again Greivis (20 points) and Jordan (15 points) supplied consistent contributions on offense, but the Terps also got double digit scoring from Hayes & Mosley, along with 9 big points by Adrian Bowie. An emerging theme over the last 10 games has been the secondary scoring for Maryland. There are a number of players who have stepped up recently and given scoring support to Greivis and Jordan. This balance gives me increased hope for Terp success in postseason play.
I initially thought the Terps would choke and lose in Charlottesville on Saturday, but I have changed my mind and think Maryland will find a way to win by 1. Maryland has an opportunity to share the ACC regular season title and hang a banner from the rafters in Comcast. I don’t think they came this far blow it against VA. I know this isn’t a Final 4 team and am very realistic about the Terps chances in the NCAA tournament. But, it has been an improbable journey that most Terp fans couldn’t have expected in their wildest dreams.
Gary Williams will win ACC Coach of the Year, Greivis will have a chance to win ACC Player of the Year, and Jordan will compete to win ACC Freshman of the Year. Oh, but I know….it is only because the ACC is terrible. Please keep diminishing this team’s accomplishments and put an asterisk next to every win. I am sure if North Carolina was 12-3 in the ACC this season, it would be because they were a great team. But because the Tarheels can’t win with 7 McDonald’s All-Americans, lets minimize the accomplishment of the whole conference. I love it.
Woodman – haters can kiss my ass.
Filed under: Basketball, College Hoops, Terps | Tagged: maryland terrapins basketball, greivis vasquez, acc hoops, jordan williams, Coach K, duke blue devils
Good win by the Terps. Don’t sound so bitter Woodman.
Hayes had a good first half, but had a rough second half…he couldn’t guard Smith. Bowie was shooting really well despite that crazy looking jumper. Gregory played tough against Zoubek. Greivis had a really good game, but that facial hair is inexcusable.
I’m pretty neutral on the whole storming the court issue.
Was the crowd chanting F*ck John Sheyer at points in that game or was I hearing things?
They chanted “F- Duke” during the timeouts, which prompted the commentators to force conversation to try and cover it up.
Like I said…our fans have no class and sportsmanship. Funny how some things never change. All of the tobacco road fans have such respect for each other and would never act like Maryland fans. I’m not bitter, but am nervous about praising this team for fear of getting hammered.
Pat, how about the T.O to Baltimore rumors? Maybe it will happen after all. Heard that Arizona wants a 3rd rounder for Boldin. What if the Ravens grabbed both?
Boldin for a 3rd rounder is a no brainer. T.O. would have to come very cheap. The Ravens are one of the “final eight” teams, so they are limited when it comes to signing unrestricted free agents.
Rushing the court had as much to do with celebrating with our seniors after some previously abysmal seasons and the resulting bad press as it had to do with beating Duke. It wasn’t that long ago that people had been clamoring for Gary’s head. The “act like you’ve been there” rubbish makes sense to an old timer like me but probably doesn’t register with teenage undergrads who were just little tykes in ’02 and have never actually “been there.”
The riots on the other hand are beyond embarrassing.
I pray to the lord above we don’t lay a dinosaur egg at UVA.
Great points all around.
I don’t have a problem with a bunch of excited undergrads rushing the floor, but I hate the rioting. How did setting couches on fire and flipping cars become the acceptable way to celebrate big wins?
How about when my fratenity was involved in the biggest riot/brawl in Campus history! The Tri-Delts were all screaming as we brawled on their lawn. Long live unruly Terp fans!!!!!
I have a HUGE problem with fans rushing the court. You’re a ranked team beating another ranked team at home…you’ve won a national title…Yet this is a big deal?
Gimme a break…act like you’ve been there before. That’s why this team hasn’t won sh*t since guys like Blake and Dixon left.
Fans rush the court far too often these days. It’s an absolute joke. Have fun watching the Terps get bumped by the Sweet 16…Vasquez can only carry them so far.
Tim,
They can lose in the 1st round of the ACC & NCAA tournament and I won’t be that upset. This season has already given me a great ride!!! Quit being a stick in the mud. Go Terps!! Lets riot at the titty bar right next to Greensboro Coliseum at the ACC tournament when we get rubbed out on Friday!!!
Keep in mind Timmo that Maryland made the NIT in Greivis’s first two years. This team and the current students at College Park haven’t experienced anything like this season. Let em get rowdy.
Rushing the court is for much lower level teams beating big name teams and for championships.