COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WUSA) -- The Maryland Terrapins' NCAA tournament chances are very slim. But Wednesday they had a chance to begin a run that could make them an outside-looking-in bubble team. The Miami Hurricanes have had good success under former George Mason head coach Jim Larranaga and many see them getting the nod into the Big Dance. And that's most likely why Terps came out licking their chops in defeating the Canes 75-70.
Coach Mark Turgeon must of put his team on notice because for once they played all 40 minutes of a game. Maryland's last two games before the ACC tournament are against teams that will make the NCAA tournament. If Turgeon's team really wants to make noise as a bubble team, they need to beat Virginia at home and, with a ton of prayer, topple UNC on the road. Last night's win gave Terp nation instilled hope in a program that was dwindling just two weeks ago.
GRADE THE GAME
Offense: B+
Wednesday was probably the best team effort all season offensively. Terrell Stoglin (20 points) struggled to get hot to begin the game, so of course Turgeon turned to his other hot scorer -- James Padgett? Well, maybe he's known as a scorer but Padgett led the Terps in points at the half with nine and finished the game 16, tying his season-high. He provided scoring from the post, something Maryland fans haven't seen all season.
Sean Mosley finally realized it is his senior year and that he needs to be more proactive in the offense. The guard had 15 points on the night but no bucket was more important than the three pointer he stroked to bring his team within two points with 1:37 remaining on the clock. That shot ignited the fans at the Comcast Center and gave the Terps the momentum they needed to finish off an opponent, another rarity from Turgeon's first season.
The Terps shot 45 percent from the field and 86 percent from the free throw line, a very efficient combination. This is a team averaging 66 percent from the line. This Miami win was a rare yet delightful performance for this squad.
Defense: A
I'm a guy that solely gets chosen in pickup games to play defense, so Maryland's hustle put a smile on my face. Just examining the numbers helps you understand how well they played in the paint and around the perimeter. Miami only shot 40 percent from the field, they were out rebounded 35-29, and they only managed five assists. The lack of assists emphasizes how difficult the Terps made it for the Canes to move the ball around and work for their shots. Miami could not even out-dish Mosley, who had six assists himself.
The most impressive stretch of defense occurred with 9:07 left to play. That's when Miami's Durand Scott hit a jumper. That would be Miami's last field goal until Shane Larkins split a double team and made a layup with 17 seconds to play. Allow me to do the math for you. The Canes couldn't buy a basket for eight minutes and 50 seconds. The Terps didn't just play defense; they became a cohesive brick wall, forcing the Hurricanes to earn their points on the line.
Freshman Nick Faust made the defensive play of the night when he stole the ball from Scott, the Canes best player, sealing the game. Scott was forced to grab Faust immediately which also fouled out the Miami junior guard.
Coaching: A
Maryland just got their tails whipped at Virginia (71-44) four days prior in the most lopsided loss of the season. But the Terps came out responding to their Mark Turgeon's message and won a game that has the potential to begin a run that would send these overachieving Turtles further than anyone thought was possible. Anyone outside College Park that is.
During the Virginia game, I felt coach Turgeon waited too long to call timeouts and allowed his team to fall even further behind in the game. Against Miami, Turgeon never let the Hurricanes go on long scoring runs. Miami never lead by more than 10 points.
One of Turgeon's best decisions all night was to keep dishing the ball to Padgett. When Maryland's offense looked rushed and disoriented, coach put the ball in Padgett's hands, slowing the pace of the half-court offense. In the paint, he was able to force fouls and convert one-on-one opportunities in to good baskets. He clearly was a mismatch for the Miami defense and Turgeon did not allow his guards to take possessions away from him.
Player of the Game: James Padgett
Season high in points, added six boards, and was a force to recon with in the paint throughout the night. Up and coming Nick Faust gets a honorable mention. Faust did not score much but had eight points to go with eight rebounds. He played big for a guard, but Padgett had the best all around game.
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