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Clemson at Maryland 2005
Clemson Game Recap By Bob W. Overall: I am literally sick in my stomach. All
Maryland had to do to make a success out of this nightmarish 2004-2005 season
was to beat the lowly Clemson Tigers in College Park. They were not able to do
it. The Terps now have to beat either UNC in College Park, or Va Tech in
Blacksburg. I don’t think we can do either right now. Maryland is playing with
no heart, no intensity, no identity, and no chance. Where are the games where
they come out of the gate and beat teams from the get go? We have not had one
easy game where you could just sit back and watch, where you didn’t have to
pace, or worry since Mount St. Mary’s. I really miss those days. Even had our
boys come back and won last night (ok stop laughing) it would still have been a
disastrous evening. We can not come out flat in games and then try to battle
back. This won’t work in the ACC, and it won’t work in the Tournament, but of
course we won’t know anything about the 2005 Big Dance. I am officially
labeling the 2004-2005 basketball team as the biggest disappointment in Maryland
history. Oh and our students suck too. I always
said I would never be the type of person who says “back in my day…”, “Well in
Cole….”. I hated alumni who would say that stuff when we were in College, but
right now I can’t help myself. It was a library last night. Even the
announcers beforehand commented on how low key the crowd was before the game
even started. Our students only care about Duke and it drives me crazy. I
don’t know what is causing the problem whether it be the ticket policy or just
the type of students the University now attracts, but it needs to be fixed. I
say go back to the system where tickets become available on such a date, you
have 48 hours to pick them up, what isn’t claimed gets sold to alumns. The
current system is not working. I would much rather have a 40 year old guy and
his son in the stands than someone who gets their ticket has it scanned and then
goes home. Now on to the game (gulp). First Half: Well as you all know and have seen
countless times before Maryland came out flat and Clemson pounced on them. The
Tigers came down the floor and made a basket. The Terps answered with a
Garrison lay up and that was if for keeping up. Sam Perry hit his second shot
which was followed by a Garrison miss. Clemson again went down the floor and
hit a jumper. Perry then stole the ball from Nik Caner Medley which led to a 8-2
lead and a “Here we go again” feeling for the Terrapin faithful. Gary thought
yanking the starters would light a fire under them, but he was wrong. The back
ups allowed the score to fall to 16-4 and back came the starters. It didn’t
really matter. By the 12:16 mark Clemson was up 22-8 and Maryland for all
intensive purposes was dead. The Terps were able to cut it to 10 points at the
10:00 minute mark, but only traded baskets the rest of the half to take a 10
deficit into halftime. Clemson shot 55% in the first half and drilled 5-7 from
behind the arc. Second Half: After Gary deservedly ripped into them
at half time the Terps did come out with a little spark. A 3 by NCM at the
17:06 mark cut the lead to 53-47 and the Comcast Center started coming to life.
Ollie Purnell sensing this wisely called a timeout. I don’t know what they
talked about in the huddle but it seemed to inspire Cheyenne Moore who came out
and drilled a heart breaking 3 six seconds later. The three sparked another
Clemson run and before Maryland could pat themselves on the back for cutting the
lead down to 6, they were back down by 11. A three point play by McCray tried
to get the Terps back close and it did propel them back to within 4. The Terps
and Tigers then exchanged baskets for a few minutes and I for one foolishly
started to believe we had a chance. Another NCM 3 cut the lead to 3, but as was
the case all night, the Tigers had an answer. A Ford lay up (Why there wasn’t a
Fix Or Repair Daily sign in our stands I don’t know,
bet there would have been if he played for Duke) followed by a Garrison foul and
a Garrison Turnover put Clemson up by 9. Maryland could not get it any closer
until the 7:30 mark when Mike Jones made a layup to cut the lead to 7. Again
Clemson answered, McCray hit a jumper and Clemson answered. NCM lays one in,
Clemson answers with a 3. Maryland burns it’s last TO, I guess to set up Travis
Garrison’s 3 point attempt, which was no good, unlike Cliff Hammonds jumper at
the other end. By this point Maryland was down 12 with 4:25 left. An old
fashion 3 point play by Garrison cut the lead back to 9 and got the crowd back
into it somewhat. Clemson sat them back down with a 3 from Hammonds, which got
answered by Gilchrist but the time for trading buckets ended about 5 minutes
ago. Maryland could not prevent Clemson from scoring. A jumper by McCray at
the 2:20 mark cut the lead to 83-88, but again Clemson answered. Garrison’s 2
FT’s again cut it to 85-91, but that was as close as Maryland would come.
Another bad start, followed by a rally that was much too little too late. The
only thing between the Terps and a spot in the NCAA Tournament was the Clemson
Tigers in College Park. Maryland could not get the job done and as a result,
may not get an invitation for the first time in 12 years. Not that Maryland
deserves one at this point. Report Card Travis Garrison: C+ The Good: Shot 4-5 from the foul line, 7 boards and 16 points. Also had 2 blocks. The Bad: Fouled out, and had 3
TO’s. Nik Caner Medley: B The Good: 3-5 from behind the arc, 9-15 overall. Had 7 boards, 23 points. The Bad: Just didn’t seem to
get going until it was too late. Ekene Ibekwe: D- The Good: 3-4 from the foul line (that is the only thing keeping him from an F). The Bad: 2-7 from the field. 4
boards, 5 fouls and 7 points. John Gilchrest: B- The Good: 3-7 from behind the arc, 10 rebounds, 12 points, 5 assists to 1 TO. The Bad: 4-16 from the field.
Chris McCray: B The Good: 9-16 and perfect from the foul line. 21 points The Bad: 3 TO’s. DJ Strawberry: INC The Good: Nothing Good about his absence. The Bad: We are really missing
his hustle on the defensive end of the court. Think about it, with his Defense
we probably could have won at least one more game, thus making the tourney.
Sterling Ledbetter: C The Good: 4-4 from the line and 1-1 from behind the arc. 7 points. The Bad: 1-4 from the floor, 3
TO’s. James Gist: F The Good: Made a FT and grabbed 2 boards The Bad: 0-2 from the field,
1-4 from the FT line, 2 boards in 17 minutes, 1 pt. Mike Jones: D The Good: 2-2 from the line. The Bad: 2-8 from the field,
0-5 from behind the arc. Will Bowers: F The Good: 2 blocks The Bad: Got 5 minutes and did
nothing with them. No shots attempted and 3 fouls. I am stripping him of his
“Wilbo” nickname until he can play well enough to have a nickname. Mike Grinnon: INC The Good: Played 2 minutes The Bad: Not really enough time
to earn a grade. Gini Chukura: INC Only 1 minute of play. |