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Maryland at Wake Forrest 1/11/05
By Chris B.
Well this one was a tough one to swallow. I was hyped up and paid the $14.95 with ESPN Full Court so I could catch the game since it wasn’t on in central PA, and the “sports bars” are actually football bars or they have ESPN. They couldn’t care about bball and with the track record of Penn State University (University of Pennsylvania State to Derrick Williams) who could blame them. It left me no choice but to watch it on the old pc. Our buddy Brian S. was lucky enough to secure a ticket from one of Jill’s Dr.’s and found a reasonable flight down so he saw the debacle live! Needless to say I for one thought there was no chance we were going to see a replay of the UNC game against Wake.
Maybe this should have been a sign of things to come, but Gilchrist did not get the start due to a “missed academic assignment”. Dj Strawberry got the nod in his place and things were going along ok. Then all of the sudden everyone seemed to forget that Justin Gray was a first team All ACC’er last year. (We must have forgotten as well because he didn’t figure into our 1st, 2nd or 3rd team based on our preseason picks). Anywho we couldn't rebound, Daneluis got a few rebounds made a few shots and all of the sudden things were slipping away a bit, and Justin Gray caught fire knocking down a few three’s. The lead was at least 20 points at one time and things were looking grim. Gilchrist (when he was out there) looked like he really didn’t care what was going on based on his body language. Sure he tried to lift the team, and had two nice assists as soon as he checked in. Didn’t matter, down 21 points at the half. Brian text messages me “here is your recap, we suck!”
The second half Gilchrist didn’t see the floor , and for most of the half looked like a zombie riding the pine. As we made a run with a team that consisted of Wil Bowers, Sterling Ledbetter, Mike Jones, Chris McCray, and Nik Caner-Medley, Gilchrist was the first one of the bench to congratulate them after we forced Wake to call a time out with the lead cut to 13. It was too little to late, but at least they didn’t pack it in like they did at UNC.
Report Card John Gilchrist- F The good: Maybe Gary can get through to him that there are 4 other guys on the court. The bad: Body language, maybe he doesn’t care that there are 4 other guys on the court. Travis Garrison- D The good: Not much, 8 points, 7 boards, could not defend the post against E. Williams and Daneluis. The bad: Most of the way he played.
Nik Caner-Medley- C+ The good: 21 points, kept fighting when we were down big time, if it wasn’t for Nik this could have been really ugly. The bad: 3-7 from the free throw line.
Ekene Ibekew- F The good: Didn't foul out or get hurt. The bad: Throws up garbage shots inside, and is starting to take his game away from the basket, no post moves.
Chris McCray- F The good: 4 assist on a night when the team only had 14! The bad: Can’t hit water if he fell out of boat right now. (1-7) Earlier I asked him to shoot more, I think we should reconsider that! DJ Strawberry- D The good: Started first game at the point (2nd overall) The bad: Was supposed to be the defensive stopper on this team, but Justin Gray lit him up, until McCray was forced to pick him up.
Sterling Ledbetter- B - The good: I don't car about his stats. He showed he can help this team as a back up PG, played 19 minutes and is starting to look more comfortable. The bad: 3 assist, 3 to’s
James Gist- C The good: 8 points and is showing signs of improvement. I am ready to say lets start him over Ibekwe! The bad: Only 2 boards, four fouls.
Mike Grinnon- INC The good- The bad:
Mike Jones- B The good- Showed something out there that he can be an offensive weapon even when his shot is not falling. Made teams only 3 pointer! The bad- 0-2 ft
Will Bowers- C The good- Much PT, looking more and more comfortable out there. The bad- At his size he needs to be able to finish inside.
Gini Chukura- inc The good- he got in the game, according to the box score 0+ minutes. The bad- not enough PT to tell you.- |