No. 10 seed Maryland men’s basketball has the means to earn a Sweet 16 spot with a win over No. 2 seed Alabama
(Photograph Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
At that place truly isn't a better time for Maryland to play its best basketball. But for round two, the Terps will have to hit a new gear and play even better if they're looking to stay in Indianapolis another week. Of course, a lilliputian bit more of that March magic wouldn't hurt either.
Information technology's no undercover that the odds are against the Terps as they head into the round of 32, but with the tumultuous regular season that Maryland left in its rear view, it's articulate odds, predictions and the like never really mattered.
"Null has ever been easy or given to us," Darryl Morsell said. "So in guild to win, we had to be the tougher one. But moving forward, nosotros noticed that's who we are, and we got to continue to be tough."
Once again, it'll be Maryland's toughness and "want-to" that will largely decide its fate Monday night. Considering, equally it turns out, Alabama isn't equally imposing as its No. two ranking may imply. The Cherry Tide's loftier octane, mod brand of basketball hasn't looked the office as of tardily.
Normally, Alabama pushes the court and annihilates its opposition with drive and kicking threes. The style of play allowed the Tide to lead the nation in both iii pointers attempted and made. And it's also responsible for much of the authority the program has enjoyed under the leadership of caput bus Nate Oats.
Simply when the threes don't fall, Alabama looks far less menacing. Just enquire Iona, the Crimson Tide'south starting time round opponent and nearly their last of the season. The Gaels, much like the Terps, hang their chapeau on the defense force and used it to stymie Alabama for around 35 minutes.
The Cerise Tide snuck off with the win thank you to Iona'south self-inflicted mistakes (15 turnovers) and a tardily xi-0 run. But the Gaels halted the Tide with a stretched halfcourt defense that ultimately forced xiv turnovers and a more sluggish Alabama law-breaking.
The 31% mark from three that the Tide posted in their last matchup was exactly equal to the teams average from range over its final 9 games. The Terps should be looking to replicate the impressive piece of work of the Gaels but maintain the offensive cleanliness they've enjoyed for the latter half of the flavour.
Iona had the pattern, and Maryland has the pieces to complete the try with a win.
Expect a sound defensive one-half court scheme coupled with a deliberate half courtroom crime to avert turnovers. Though caput coach Mark Turgeon harped on using defense to mitigate Alabama's attack, he noted it'south success would be predicated by the crime's ability to deliver — namely guys like Aaron Wiggins and Eric Ayala.
Maryland tin make things even tougher for the Tide if they can crash the glass.
"They transport four guys [to the boards] like they haven't eaten in a week," Turgeon said. "They come up crashing difficult."
For the first time in a long time, the Terps are set up to face up a reasonably sized roster. Alabama thrives with its four-baby-sit lineup, much similar Maryland, and reserves its traditional bigs for more unique circumstances. The Terps just have to discover the delicate balance between a strong defence force and an advisable positioning effort early.
"Information technology's finally the offset time we facing a team that's…comparable to us," Morsell said. "They play small brawl. We got a lot of like sized guys, and so we'll exist able to match upwards with them pretty well."
Equally Big 10 teams drop out of the tournament like flies, Maryland can potentially last longer than the rest of its conference counterparts. The fundamental will be returning to the alone word on the white board Saturday nighttime and coupling it with some continuity from Saturday nights concerted performance.
"They're a special team," Turgeon said. "It's gonna take an unbelievable effort defensively for us but we've been preparing for teams like Alabama all yr."
Source: http://wmucsports.net/no-10-seed-maryland-mens-basketball-has-the-means-to-earn-a-sweet-16-spot/
0 Response to "No. 10 seed Maryland men’s basketball has the means to earn a Sweet 16 spot with a win over No. 2 seed Alabama"
Post a Comment