Game #1 - Maryland

[billybud]

Maryland was never in the game really, when they lost to Clemson by 16...Clemson hit 5 three pointers in the opening 9 minutes and led by double digits most of the game.

The Terps let the Tigers have open long shots.

Terps shot 33% from three while Clemson shot 45%...but it was TO's that kept Maryland back...six more than the Tigers.

 

[McLovin]

Here are some key stats for the game plan.

Maryland is dead last among teams in the field in offensive rebound percentage (21%).
We are dead last in transition effective field goal percentage (61%)
Maryland shoots the 3 at a 43% rate (8th in the field)
Our non-transition eFG percentage is 42% (2nd in the field)

We win this game if we get defensive rebounds & keep Maryland out of transition. I expect a slow paced game played below the O/U of 130. This is not a game we want to go up tempo. We want an ugly slugfest. We will win by taking away their strength (3 point shooting in the half court) and by exposing their weakness (rebounding).

Edit: We also need to pound the ball inside and use our height. Play inside out basketball and hit a couple of 3s early to get our shooters going. Against Creighton we failed to get our shooters going and this caused us to be cold from deep the entire game. Got to hit a few early 3s, partially to get them to respect the shot and open up lanes, but mostly to keep our offense from becoming stagnant late in the game.

 

[Brochacho]

We won our 2014 7/10 matchup due to our freshman center. Think that will be the key again this year with Sanogo.

 

[Waquoit]

I have a nagging feeling that Maryland fans would be as bad as Sparty if they won more.

 

[Icehawk]

Looking forward to Saturday night!

 

[Palatine]

They beat Illinois back in January. That is impressive.

If they beat Illinois we can beat Illinois.

 

[billybud]

When Maryland:

Shoots FG % of 50% or better...6-0
............FG % of 45% or better...12-2
............FG % below 45%....4-10

OPP FG % of 45% or better....0-8
OPP FG% below 45%.............16-7

3 PT % greater than 35%....11-3
3 PT % less than 35%...........5-9

OPP 3 PT % greater than 35%......4-7
OPP 3 PT % less than 35%...........12-5

 

[billybud]

When Clemson beat Maryland..

The Tigers held the Terps to a FG % of 40%
...a 3 PT % of 33%

 

[CONN78SEJ]

They've got a 6'5" defender who was B1G conference defensive player of the year, Darryl Morsell. He's going to make things difficult for Bouk. Definitely need Cole and the bigs in this first matchup.

All I care about is who will ref this game. If we get favorable refs this game, Morsell has at least three fouls at halftime. If we get the refs we had in the BET, this game will be close.