Terps win on Tobacco Road: 71-60 over North Carolina State
The final score doesn’t represent how close this game was. With less than 30 seconds left the Terps only held a four point lead. However they ran the shot clock down and Vasquez sank another one of his many “floaters” on the night. He finished with 33 points (3 of which came as he launched a 3 right before the final buzzer) and helped to put the Terps back at .500 in “Lig” play. The Terps shot 48.2% from the field and 47.6% from behind the arc last night. Their tough defense forced the Wolf pack into 16 turnovers. When NCST could get the ball across half court they had great success down low. Tracy Smith finished with a team high 19 points and added 9 rebounds. The Terps switched to a 3-2 zone mid way through the first half and also used it in parts of the second half to try to keep the 3 big men for NCST off of the scoreboard.
This was a must win for the Terps who face #13 Wake Forest on Tuesday at Comcast. The Terps probably need two more wins to assure themselves a spot in the big dance. A win against Wake would go a long way towards impressing the selection committee. A loss isn’t the end of the world. If the Terps can beat UVA and win a game in the ACC tournament, that will give them 20 for the season. 8-8 in the ACC and 20 wins should get them in. However it would probably be best if the Terps go ahead and run the table. Wake has struggled a bit lately and Comcast should be electric on Tuesday night. The team is playing much better these past two weeks and the bench has been a contributing factor. Tucker, Hayes, and Gregory have given quality minutes and some much needed scoring when Milbourne and Vasquez have gotten into foul trouble. The Terps hold their destiny in their own hands which at this time of year is what you want.
If you told me a month ago the Terps would be in this situation I would have said you’re crazy. But, Coach Williams really has this team of underdogs believing in themselves. Williams has done one of his finest coaching jobs this season. He has had more talent in years past but this team works as hard as any I have ever seen. Gary and the guys have an “up yours” mentality and it’s working. Keep it up boys! Go Terps.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 am
P.S.- The shot by Vasquez at the end was stupid. The NCST players were walking off the court. The clock was at 3 seconds and Vasquez jacks up a 3 that goes through the net just as the buzzer sounds. I think he did it because he and some fans were really getting into it at the end. He did not endear himself to the Wolf Pack fans last night.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
No mention of Tuckers dagger with the shot clock running down. In my mind that was the shot of the night.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Sorry, you write the recap. For me the shot of the night was when Vasquez took the ill advised 3 from way beyond the arc with just a few minutes left. If he misses, NCST probably goes down the court and makes a bucket of their own. If he makes, the Terps are in a great position to win the game. He made it and the Terps won.
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
The Vasquez step through on the double team was huge also. I guess when you score 33 points, you can point to a lot of different baskets as clutch.