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Virginia Tech at Maryland Game Recap
Overall: What time is it? Crunch Time! That’s
right kids. All games before Virginia Tech are out the window. No more
bitching and moaning and making excuses, those games are gone and they ain’t
coming back. We are 4-5 in the ACC with 7 left to go. There are two options,
go 4-3 down the stretch and finish 8-8 in Conference play and continue our
dancing streak, or go 3-4 down the stretch and hope and pray we catch some
breaks. Last nights game was opening night of the second season. Luckily the
Terps did not disappoint. Summary: I somehow missed the very beginning of
this one last night. I guess I thought Clemson and Ga Tech were still playing,
but by the time I turned it on, we were already down 9-3. I immediately began
an inventory of the room seeing which objects I could replace if I went on a
rampage and which objects I probably shouldn’t stand near. Fortunately for our
furniture, no sooner than Maryland was down 6, they began to rally. Gilchrist’s
first 3 of the night was followed by McCray’s first 3. Tech went back down the
court and Wilbo pulled down a board which led to a Caner Medley basket and we
were back within 1. A turnover by Gist allowed Va. Tech to tie it back up at
14-14. However, Tech did a good job keeping the game close throughout the first
half falling no further than 5 points behind, but Maryland came out of the
second media timeout on fire. NCM lead it off with a 3, a Mike Grinnon (yeah,
you heard me) steal lead to a Gist dunk, followed by a McCray dunk from a
Gilchrist pass and all of a sudden it was 31-21 Maryland. A block/rebound by
Grinnon lead to a Gist dunk and the run continued. Tech finally ended the run
but not until it was 33-23. A Bowers jumper, followed by 2 Tech baskets put the
Terps up 35-27, NCM then got fouled on a made lay up but failed to convert the
three point play, luckily Gist was there to tap it back in for the 4 point play
(which is 25% better than a 3 point play). Tech cut the lead back to 9 with a
3, and a Ledbetter 1 for 2 trip to the line put the lead back at 10. [Notice
Maryland has missed 2 free throws so far]. Tech tried to get the last basket of
the half, but was unable to convert. McCray put up a classic “clear out as time
expires” shot but came up short, luckily NCM showed great hustle and put it back
in as time expired giving the Terps a 12 point lead and momentum going into
halftime. Well, whatever momentum Maryland gained
by NCM’s last second tip in was forgotten during the break. Va Tech came out on
an 8-0 run to cut the lead back down to 4. Gary immediately called a time out
and you could see the frustration from the entire season on his face. This was
a turning point in the season, collapse now and maybe we get an NIT bid, fight
back and we are still alive in our quest for 4th in the ACC. The
Terps, who now having a fire light under their arses, responded quickly and
decisively. John Gilchrist made a long 3 to stop the bleeding and McCray
followed with a 3 of his own on the next trip down. The double digit lead was
restored and Tech never got any closer. Maryland traded baskets for the next
few minutes and took a 9 point lead into the first Media timeout of the half.
Gilchrist came out of the TO and converted and old fashioned 3 point play. Then
came Mike Jones, he got at steal at the 11:16 mark and then went on to score
Maryland’s next 8 points on 4 of 4 shooting. Tech still was not going anywhere
and kept the lead at 9 going into the next media timeout, however Garrison came
back from the break to make 2 FT’s, followed by a basket and 2 made FT’s from
NCM, and the lead was up to 14. Virginia Tech did manage to score some points
down the stretch but trading baskets the last 4 minutes got them no where.
Final Score Maryland 86-Va Tech 71. The Terps are now 1-0 in this “New”
season. By the way Maryland shot 19-21 from the foul line and was 12-12 in the
second half. Report Card: Travis Garrison: D The Good: 2-2 from the foul line The Bad: I never thought his
grade was a D until I saw the box score, 0-5 from the floor, 1 rebound, and 4
fouls. My D may be a little generous, but I guess winning turns me into a big
softy! Nik Caner Medley: A The Good: As Nik goes, so go the Terps. 21 points, 7 boards, 7-11 shooting, 6-7 from the foul line and only 1 foul. The Bad: 1-3 from behind the
ard, also 3 TO’s to 1 assist. Ekene Ibekwe: DNP The Good: Rumors are he will be ready for Duke. The Bad: Rumors are he will be
out for probably 2 weeks. John Gilchrest: A The Good: A great effort all around, 7-7 from the foul line, 19 points and 10 assists, a career high I believe. The Bad: 5-10 from the filed,
and STILL needed 5 boards for the triple double. Chris McCray: A- The Good: 16 points and 6 assists, also only 1 foul. The Bad: 6-15 from the field. DJ Strawberry: OUT The Good: Did not get more hurt. The Bad: Not many shots of him
“macking” on the bench. Sterling Ledbetter: C- The Good: Showed some poise. The Bad: No shots attempted,
1-2 from the foul line, 1 TO, and no Assists. James Gist: B The Good: Got the start, had 8 points and 7 rebounds, and in what is going to be a huge factor for our big men down the stretch, only had 2 fouls. Also had 2 blocks. The Bad: 2 turnovers, which
really isn’t THAT bad. Mike Jones: A The Good: Played great while in, 6-6 shooting, 13 points (in 11 minutes Bix), no turnovers. Outscored Tech’s bench by 11 points single-handedly. The Bad: Play the man Gary! Will Bowers: B The Good: Would you believe 3-3 from the field?????. Also had 4 boards. Solid minutes for the big man. The Bad: Two turnovers, again
not too bad. Gini Chukura: INC Did not play. |