Neal Helps Lead Terps Basketball Past American
Dave Neal made sure American University wouldn’t come waltzing into Comcast Center and walk away with a second consecutive win over the Terps as he lead Maryland to the 67-51 win. Neal started the game off early with two threes and an a nice little hook shot, and finished with 14. Pressure defense was again a huge factor in allowing Maryland to take control of this game early. A 10 – 0 start was about all MD would need as American never cut the lead to less than 6 I believe.
Landon Milbourne also contributed 14 and Greivis Vasquez chipped in 13 and 5 assist. My overall feeling with out really analyzing any stats, was pressure defense and getting out to early starts is a huge key for this team. You look at the games they have won, and they were able to score right away. The two losses were kind of slow starts, and you got the feeling they were over before they began.
Cliff Tucker seems to be getting back into the rotation as he was the first guard off the bench. I just kind of get the feeling he may start to eat in to Sean Mosley’s minutes. I don’t know if he is just pressing, or it is taking him a little time getting used to the college game, but Mosley just doesn’t show me how he was the second leading HS scorer in the history of the state. You can tell why Gary loves to play him, after getting that block on the fast break, that lead to Vasquez’s nifty fake behind the back pass lay-up.
That being said, he is struggling on the offensive end, and just doesn’t seem comfortable. I think it will come, but the last few games Tucker seems to be more aggressive and assertive.
The win put their record to 8-2 for the season with the next game scheduled for the 27th against 1-9 Bryant University. I can’t fathom an outcome with MD losing, but stranger things have happened. I am not sure yet if this team is better than last years yet, but they seem to be playing with a more consistent effort and are putting away the teams they should run off the court, not allowing them to stick around and gain confidence. Until then, I hope you have all your Christmas shopping done, and get everything on your wish list.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
The block to Vasquez fake behind the back pass was definitely the 15 second highlight of the year for me. That was pretty cool on both ends.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
The block was great. I like effort Mosely puts out there. He might not shoot that well some days but he tries. Neal is playing great. Maybe he should smack his head more often. I like how Tucker was playing last night too. He needs to get out of that dog house.