Duke at Maryland

2/12/05

By Chris B.

Well could there be any more hype for a game between a team ranked #8 in the country and the other team being unranked?  When it is Maryland and Duke it is justified.  ESPN took it upon themselves to crank up the hype machine for this one.  It started on Friday morning with a visit from Cold Pizza from ESPN2.  Then the college game day crew checked in during the evening Sport Center shows.  Saturday morning brought College Game Day out in full force.  Students were all fired up and raring to go by 9 am.  Then one last time before the tip Game Day was back inside the Comcast Center to take us to the tip. 

First Half

The beginning of the game belonged to two point guards.  Duke’s Daniel Ewing was scorching the nets starting the game 6-7 and scoring 14 of Duke’s first 24 points.  Not to be outdone, Maryland point guard John Gilchrist took it upon himself to make sure Maryland would not fall behind early (see: NCST, Clemson, Miami).  Gilchrist also started 6-7 from the field to give the Terps the early lead.  The atmosphere was electric and the crowd was great at the game.  A key to game was Travis Garrison managed to avoid fouling early and got to play more than 30 minutes in this game.  As the half wore the game was going back and forth with no team taking a lead larger than 5 which was the margin at the half.  MD had a  48-43 lead and here were the big stats of the half.  MD outscored Dook  28-12 in the paint, and 9-2 on points off turnovers.  MD had only one turnover in the half.

Second Half

The second half started out with a J.J. Redick three, that worried me at least, but have no fear, Wilbo was there to stick in a bank shot seconds later to ensure Dook wouldn’t take over the game quickly in the second half.  At the 9:43 mark, Daniel Ewing gave Dook it’s biggest lead of 9, but was called for a tech while bumping into Ekene Ibekwe and his cracked rib!  Insert J’s new love of his life (sorry for your loss Mary).  That’s right Mike Jones knocked down one of the two ft’s from the tech to start a MJ and MD run.  MJ then got fouled and made both FT’s.  Next time down the court he hit a bank shot from the right side of the lane, and then the shot that nearly sent us through the floor and into the basement was a transition 3 pointer, that was started by a missed Redick jumper, MJ connected again for an 8-0 MD run in just under 2 minutes to cut the lead to one.  McCray connected on two ft’s with 6:33 left to give the game it’s 5^th tie of the game.  A NCM lay-up gave the Terps the lead again.  Dockery hit an open three with 1:36 left to give Dook a 4 point lead.  Gilchrist cut the lead to 2 with a lay-up.  Then the play that gave a good indication of our chances to win, was a tip by Ibekwe on a missed  bank shot by Garrison.  However, on this play Ibekwe was fouled by Shelden (insert one of many nicknames here) Williams.  This was his fifth foul, and you could see the steam coming out of Coach K’s ears!  Demarcus Nelson tied the game with 33 seconds left and gave MD the final shot.  Well after nearly losing the possession, Gilchrist managed to regain the ball, took a long two, that missed, but NCM rebounded it in the lane and put up a desperation turnaround shot at the buzzer that fell of the rim as time ended. 

Overtime

I must admit I felt very confident going into overtime with S. Williams on the bench.  Shavlick Randolph had not made any contributions and was also on the bench, and Dook had no inside presence.  Ewing quickly took a seat on the bench next to Williams, and things were really looking good despite, the sloppy MD play early in OT.  Mike Jones made two free throws (exit Lee Melchionni) to increase the lead to three after Ibekwe had made one earlier in the OT.  J.J. hit two FT’s to cut the lead to one, but a big offensive rebound and put back by Garrison put the lead back to three.  MD converted most of their FT’s down the stretch, and Dook was lost with the team they had on the floor.  The celebration began as MD was able to run out the clock for Maryland’s third straight victory over the hated Dukies.  It never gets old!

Report Card: 
 

Travis Garrison:  A

The Good:  May have been the best game of his career.  38 mins, 17 points, 11 bd, 4 blocks, and get this, only 3 fouls

The Bad: tough to say much ,bad 8-15 maybe? 

Nik Caner Medley:  B-

The Good:  41 mins, 11 points 9 boards

The Bad:  5-18 FG’s
 

Ekene Ibekwe:  A

The Good:  Played only 17 minutes, but he was much needed.  11 points including the big put back and foul on Shelden Williams

The Bad: We will let him slide since he played with a cracked rib. 
 

John Gilchrest:  A+

The Good:  A great effort all around, 41 mins, 19 points, 9 assists, 10 boards, 3 TO’s

The Bad:  One assist shy of the triple double.
 

Chris McCray:  A-

The Good: 42 mins, stifling D on J.J. and 16 points 5 boards and 5 assists.  10-10 FT’s

The Bad:  3-8 shooting
 

DJ Strawberry:  OUT

The Good:  Did not get more hurt.

The Bad: Had to wheel him out in a wheelchair after his surgery.  Get better DJ!   
 

Sterling Ledbetter:  B

The Good:  Showed some poise. 6 minutes two points, 1 assist, 0 TO.

The Bad:  Only 6 mins
 

James Gist:  C

The Good  Got 12 minutes

The Bad: 0-4.  
 

Mike Jones:  A

The Good:  Personal 8-0 run to bring the Terps back into the game.  15 points in 18 minutes.

The Bad:  Play the man Gary! 
 

Will Bowers:  B

The Good: Got the nod again against S. Williams. 5 points on 2-3 shooting.

The Bad:  only got 10 minutes due to foul trouble.
 

Gini Chukura: INC