Iowa @ #8 Maryland - 2/23/22

[bbsamjj]

So...MD and Iowa are the top two scoring offenses...in the country. So the game they put on today is exactly what one would have expected/hoped for.

MD is #282 in nation in scoring defense, but they are #8 in country in scoring margin, and #1 in scoring offense. And the scariest thing about them is their three best overall players (Miller, Owusu, Reese) are all sophomores or freshmen.

 

[sweetspot]

Not sure what you meant by “your” nor do I think that matters.
So yes, in one game, a hot offensive team without defense can beat a good defensive team as shown by your examples. However to win a title requires 6 Great offensive games and again by your example, Arkansas has 6 losses so they have not been consistent enough to win a title. Maryland for all its gaudy offensive numbers also had played the 29th SOS with 9 games in Quadrant 3 and 4 (yuck). They lost to Missouri State and Ohio State.
Now match them up in Sweet 16 to The title game of 4 straight teams most of which will have a better defense than themselves. Name another Big10 team with any form of defense? You really can’t is my point. Michigan, Indiana, NW are all in that 15-30 ranked type teams. Not like Stanford, SC, UConn, Arizona, UCLA offense and defense or even the Baylor defense would be a good match up.

Real contenders have both offense AND defense.
One sided teams do not win titles.

I don't disagree that Maryland needs more on the defensive end, but if you look at the Indiana and Rutgers defenses, they're both top 15 in efficiency (Indiana's actually higher than UCLA), and Maryland scored 84 and 91 points against them.

And again they did that without Reese -- who will probably help more on defense than offense when she's at 100%.

 

[FanFromMaine]

Agree lol

On the other hand...

 

[donalddoowop]

Maryland's offense was very good tonight with over 61 FG%. And stat check that their average FG is 49%. So it's not their usual performce. Maybe Iowa just had poor denfense.

Iowa did not defend Benzan. Most or all of her threes were wide open shots. She must have lit up the Ivy League.

 

[Dillon77]

Day After...and still, whoa. Here's a write-up, from an Iowa perspective:

Iowa women's basketball: No. 8 Maryland races past Hawkeyes in offensive clinic

Iowa narrowly avoided giving up the most points in school history, as No. 8 Maryland ran away with Tuesday's afternoon affair.

www.hawkcentral.com

A few things I learned, both from this article and elsewhere:

• That's the most points Iowa has ever given up to a D-1 opponent.
• Brenda Freese is an Iowa native (no idea).
• Iowa needs to get over being shell-shocked because Michigan comes to town on Wednesday.

and two observations:

• I've seen Diamond Miller play in person on multiple occasions and she's got a quick trigger step. What's interesting is that I thought the refs in the ND-Pitt game were overcalling that (Maddy Westbeld likes to "jump the starter's gun," at times).
• Will echo the comment that Coach Bluder has to bring in another big talent to join Clark, otherwise the young woman's arm is going to fall off. Or, more to the point of this game, she'll score 29 in the first half, the opponent will adjust and she'll score 5 in the second. McKenna Warnock is a Chloe Bibby-like contributor and Monika Czinano gets everything she can from her given talent, but CC needs a Gail Goodrich to her Jerry West.

 

[cancontent]

Could it have been that Clark & Benzan were just on fire 🔥 and attempts to shut them down left their teammates open.

Totally possible. Hoping to watch the replay later today to see how it played out.

I found the scores for quarters 2 - 4 interesting though with Iowa winning 2 out 3. I thought Maryland would dominate here based on their roster, with or without Bezan's scoring yesterday. Even with Clark scoring at the pace she does, I didn't think Iowa would be able to keep up.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

How in the world does Maryland keep losing so many great talents to transfer, but still come up with highly ranked teams? Why doesn't the transfer reputation not catch up with Frese? I don't get it.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

How in the world does Maryland keep losing so many great talents to transfer, but still come up with highly ranked teams? Why doesn't the transfer reputation not catch up with Frese? I don't get it.

Other teams have transfers. Baylor had a ton of transfers one year and nobody say anything. They're good. Texas lost the #2 and #3 recruit one year and they are OK. Transfers happens to everyone. Maybe it's coaching that's bailing Maryland out.. Brenda is actually .......... good at it.

 

[HuskyMJ]

How in the world does Maryland keep losing so many great talents to transfer, but still come up with highly ranked teams? Why doesn't the transfer reputation not catch up with Frese? I don't get it.

Why would it? Transfers are the new normal, they happen everywhere and the transfer numbers increase each year nationally. If a player wants to be closer to home, or play in a different scheme or style, or want more minutes, why would that affect how people see the coach? And I assume every team that has transfers also has players who stay at their school because they love it. Its different when there is accusation of improper behavior or treatment like you see at some schools.

Take Destiny Slocum, she left Maryland for Oregon State. She left Oregon State for Arkansas. She actually originally committed to Washington before changing her choice to Maryland. So do we blame Washington coach for not keeping her committed, Maryland coach since she left, Oregon State coach since she left? Arkansas coach probably can't lose her because she'll graduate and go pro. But what if she went to Arkansas freshman year, maybe she would have been drawn to Washington after a year or two.

 

[bballnut90]

I have to watch the replay however it seems that had Iowa not let things get out of hand in the first quarter this could have been a different game. The scoring for quarters 2 - 4 were fairly even with Iowa outscoring Maryland in 2 of them.

That's a poor way of looking at it though since the mentality of a team is very different when you have a huge lead and are cruising compared to if youre in a tight game.

For example, one could say that Georgetown (1-13) could've been competitive if they didn't let things get out of hand the first half since they basically played #1 UCONN dead even in the 2nd.

 

[Sched234]

That's a poor way of looking at it though since the mentality of a team is very different when you have a huge lead and are cruising compared to if youre in a tight game.

For example, one could say that Georgetown (1-13) could've been competitive if they didn't let things get out of hand the first half since they basically played #1 UCONN dead even in the 2nd.

Totally agree. And “letting things get out of hand” isn’t as simple as it sounds. Maryland outscored Iowa by 20 in Q1.

 

[Shades]

 

[Sched234]

I don't disagree that Maryland needs more on the defensive end, but if you look at the Indiana and Rutgers defenses, they're both top 15 in efficiency (Indiana's actually higher than UCLA), and Maryland scored 84 and 91 points against them.

And again they did that without Reese -- who will probably help more on defense than offense when she's at 100%.

Two excellent points that I was thinking of as well. I don't have the advanced stats on hand, but Maryland’s pace of play is ridiculously fast. If you’re looking at scoring defense in terms of PPG, of course they look bad.

Reese is absurdly athletic and is probably MD’s best shot-blocker. If she can find that in her post-injury, Maryland has legitimate national title aspirations.

I don’t understand how y’all (speaking broadly to the Boneyard) think UConn, NC State, and South Carolina are national championship contenders but Maryland is not. Notre Dame got close to back-to-back titles with equivalent defense and probably less offense than the Terps have now.

 

[bbsamjj]

Other teams have transfers. Baylor had a ton of transfers one year and nobody say anything. They're good. Texas lost the #2 and #3 recruit one year and they are OK. Transfers happens to everyone. Maybe it's coaching that's bailing Maryland out.. Brenda is actually .......... good at it.

TerpsFan would know better than me, but I can think of a few reasons why players want to go to MD:

1. They are consistently a top 20 team, often better, and almost always in the hunt for a B10 championship.
2. Their style of play is fun and encourages high scoring, high energy.
3. Brenda has her detractors, but she seems like a coach many would want to play for.
4. A pretty school/campus, with good academics
5. Plenty of MD players in WNBA recruits can look to, including Toliver and Alyssa Thomas.

As to why players keep transferring out, I think it's becoming a part of the game, but also, I feel like Frese has at times brought in too many great players at once, leaving to some to wish for more PT.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Take Destiny Slocum, she left Maryland for Oregon State. She left Oregon State for Arkansas. She actually originally committed to Washington before changing her choice to Maryland. So do we blame Washington coach for not keeping her committed, Maryland coach since she left, Oregon State coach since she left? Arkansas coach probably can't lose her because she'll graduate and go pro. But what if she went to Arkansas freshman year, maybe she would have been drawn to Washington after a year or two.

Neighbors was the Washington coach when she originally committed there, so he eventually did get her, it was just a very circuitous route.

 

[HuskyMJ]

Neighbors was the Washington coach when she originally committed there, so he eventually did get her, it was just a very circuitous route.

Yes, but wasn't Neighbors already at Arkansas when she left Maryland? So even that option she punted on once. Point is, these players make decisions when they are still kids, and maybe as they get older, what they want changes. Short of some allegation of poor behavior from the coach, like this Detroit Mercy women's basketball's top 3 scorers enter transfer portal amid coach controversy, I don't think you can just blame the coach. Its a two way street, just like assistant and head coaches can leave for new jobs and no one bats an eye, players can do the same.

 

[cancontent]

That's a poor way of looking at it though since the mentality of a team is very different when you have a huge lead and are cruising compared to if youre in a tight game.

For example, one could say that Georgetown (1-13) could've been competitive if they didn't let things get out of hand the first half since they basically played #1 UCONN dead even in the 2nd.

That's fair, but at the same time could we not argue that Maryland's mentality should not have changed even though they had a large lead? It's bitten many teams in the end this season.

Totally agree. And “letting things get out of hand” isn’t as simple as it sounds. Maryland outscored Iowa by 20 in Q1.

"Letting things get out of hand" may not be the best phrasing but that's how I saw it. Iowa has had a habit of letting teams build double digit leads only to come back and win the game.

 

[sweetspot]

I don’t understand how y’all (speaking broadly to the Boneyard) think UConn, NC State, and South Carolina are national championship contenders but Maryland is not. Notre Dame got close to back-to-back titles with equivalent defense and probably less offense than the Terps have now.

I think that's being kind to the Maryland defense. Per the Massey ratings:

2018 Notre Dame: 2nd on offense, 43rd on defense
2019 Notre Dame: 1st on offense, 30th on defense
2021 Maryland: 1st on offense, 98th defense

UM was 14th on defense last year and Miller and Reese have elite potential there, but they've got a looong way to go. The full court pressure isn't a great fit with Bibby and Benzan.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Yes, but wasn't Neighbors already at Arkansas when she left Maryland? So even that option she punted on once. Point is, these players make decisions when they are still kids, and maybe as they get older, what they want changes. Short of some allegation of poor behavior from the coach, like this Detroit Mercy women's basketball's top 3 scorers enter transfer portal amid coach controversy, I don't think you can just blame the coach. Its a two way street, just like assistant and head coaches can leave for new jobs and no one bats an eye, players can do the same.

Yes, her Fr. season at Maryland was Neighbors' last at Washington. I'm not really reading anything into it, just kind of an oddity that her 3rd school she ended up with the same coach she initially committed to.

 

[Sched234]

I think that's being kind to the Maryland defense. Per the Massey ratings:

2018 Notre Dame: 2nd on offense, 43rd on defense
2019 Notre Dame: 1st on offense, 30th on defense
2021 Maryland: 1st on offense, 98th defense

UM was 14th on defense last year and Miller and Reese have elite potential there, but they've got a looong way to go. The full court pressure isn't a great fit with Bibby and Benzan.

Wow—didn’t realize the disparity was that severe. Thanks for sharing the advanced stats. After hearing MMG complain about her defense for seasons on end, I had it in my mind that ND was a sub-100-level defense. Not the case it seems.

Surprised to see the Terps’ defense so much worse this year. I guess Charles and Austin contributed more there than I realized. Mikesell certainly didn’t.

Ratings aren’t everything, but this does make me wonder if Maryland can stop the other title contenders.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Surprised to see the Terps’ defense so much worse this year. I guess Charles and Austin contributed more there than I realized. Mikesell certainly didn’t.

Ratings aren’t everything, but this does make me wonder if Maryland can stop the other title contenders.

Also Blair Watson was a great defensive player. She was second in DPOY in the Big 10. Stephanie Jones also was really good on that side of the ball. Benzan and Bibby are not good individual defenders. Also Reese has been out just about the whole year. The lack of depth don't help them on the defensive end either. In the Indiana and MSU games, they had big leads and lost them in the 4th quarter because they were pooped. With Reese returning and the arrival of Alaysia Styles, the depth is a little better now.

 

[darkstar1]

I mean, she did just score a cool 29 points in a half.
Benzan is unreal for MD at the moment. 8-9 from three.

But it was against Maryland.

 

[WBBSUperFan]

Why would it? Transfers are the new normal, they happen everywhere and the transfer numbers increase each year nationally. If a player wants to be closer to home, or play in a different scheme or style, or want more minutes, why would that affect how people see the coach? And I assume every team that has transfers also has players who stay at their school because they love it. Its different when there is accusation of improper behavior or treatment like you see at some schools.

Take Destiny Slocum, she left Maryland for Oregon State. She left Oregon State for Arkansas. She actually originally committed to Washington before changing her choice to Maryland. So do we blame Washington coach for not keeping her committed, Maryland coach since she left, Oregon State coach since she left? Arkansas coach probably can't lose her because she'll graduate and go pro. But what if she went to Arkansas freshman year, maybe she would have been drawn to Washington after a year or two.

She committed to Washington when Neighbors was still the coach at Washington. She didn't like the fit at Maryland and when she left she considered going to Arkansas to play for Neighbors then, but he told her no because he hadn't yet established the program enough for her talent level.

 

[WBBSUperFan]

Yes, but wasn't Neighbors already at Arkansas when she left Maryland? So even that option she punted on once. Point is, these players make decisions when they are still kids, and maybe as they get older, what they want changes. Short of some allegation of poor behavior from the coach, like this Detroit Mercy women's basketball's top 3 scorers enter transfer portal amid coach controversy, I don't think you can just blame the coach. Its a two way street, just like assistant and head coaches can leave for new jobs and no one bats an eye, players can do the same.

Neighbors told her not to come to Arkansas when she left Maryland because he hadn't yet established the caliber of a program she should be playing in. He and her both talked about it during and interview earlier in the season.

 

[Dillon77]

Neighbors was the Washington coach when she originally committed there, so he eventually did get her, it was just a very circuitous route.

What goes round, comes round? 🙀

 

[bballnut90]

That's fair, but at the same time could we not argue that Maryland's mentality should not have changed even though they had a large lead? It's bitten many teams in the end this season.

To me that seems like a minute thing to harp on considering Iowa never truly threatened Maryland. Good offensive teams go on runs, and Maryland responded well when Iowa did. The closest the margin got was 14. Maryland called a 30 second timeout and 2 minutes after Maryland pushed the lead back to 23. I understand being critical of Maryland for giving up 92 points, but I dont understand criticizing them for not extending their lead beyond 20 going against a team that should make the NCAAs. Just my opinion.

 

[nwhoopfan]

She committed to Washington when Neighbors was still the coach at Washington. She didn't like the fit at Maryland and when she left she considered going to Arkansas to play for Neighbors then, but he told her no because he hadn't yet established the program enough for her talent level.

Huh? He had no problems taking Dungee and Ramirez as transfers right away.

 

[cancontent]

To me that seems like a minute thing to harp on considering Iowa never truly threatened Maryland. Good offensive teams go on runs, and Maryland responded well when Iowa did. The closest the margin got was 14. Maryland called a 30 second timeout and 2 minutes after Maryland pushed the lead back to 23. I understand being critical of Maryland for giving up 92 points, but I dont understand criticizing them for not extending their lead beyond 20 going against a team that should make the NCAAs. Just my opinion.

My response was not in reference to the actual point differential. It was in response to the comment that teams ease up when they have a large lead. In my circles, I've heard the adage about not letting up even when you have a large lead.

Where some believe it's okay to ease up, others don't. There also have been several games this season where large leads have evaporated, so how is it harping when it's a fact? We have different perspectives is how I see it.

And Iowa, granted not in this case, isn't a team that can be allowed to stick around from some of the games I've seen this season. It worked out here, but had the first quarter gone differently who knows?

 

[nwhoopfan]

My response was not in reference to the actual point differential. It was in response to the comment that teams ease up when they have a large lead. In my circles, I've heard the adage about not letting up even when you have a large lead.

Where some believe it's okay to ease up, others don't. There also have been several games this season where large leads have evaporated, so how is it harping when it's a fact? We have different perspectives is how I see it.

And Iowa, granted not in this case, isn't a team that can be allowed to stick around from some of the games I've seen this season. It worked out here, but had the first quarter gone differently who knows?

I'm a paranoid sports fan. No lead is ever big enough until the game is over for me. Still haunted by a few men's Tourney games where my team blew a big lead and lost.

Iowa has been coming back from early deficits all year, right? Sometimes large deficits.

 

[cancontent]

I'm a paranoid sports fan. No lead is ever big enough until the game is over for me. Still haunted by a few men's Tourney games where my team blew a big lead and lost.

Iowa has been coming back from early deficits all year, right? Sometimes large deficits.

Yes they have. I'm in agreement about never trusting the score until a game is completely done.

Their annual in-state rivalry sticks out where they had a huge run in the 4th and beat Iowa State on a buzzer beater. I know there are a couple other come from behind wins, but which teams escapes me right now. They also came close to beating Michigan State this year after falling behind by 15+ points.