MD - WF Notes

NCAA Chances: 85%
Projected Record Heading into NCAA: 21 - 12

Gritty. Huge win. Season saving win.

Almost the story of the game: 19 turnovers for the starting five; all had three or more. I can't say that I can remember a college team having back-to-back dribble off the foot turnovers before tonight.

This team needs to realize that making the extra pass to Hayes for a spot up three is never a bad idea.

The traveling call on Vasquez with five minutes to play was a horrible call.

Interesting stat from Gminski: No team has ever made the NCAA with an RPI greater than 63; MD's was 68 heading into the game.

Gist: 31 pts, 11 boards, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. . . played his best when it mattered the most. . . has made 8 of his last 14 three-point attempts over the past seven games - after having made 10 of 42 previously.

Vasquez: 24 pts, 8 dimes, 4 boards, 4 turns. . . 2 for 6 from distance actually increased his 3 point shooting percentage in ACC play. . . has scored over 20 points in six of the last ten games. . . has made 21 of his last 63 three-point attempts; has made 56 of his last 100 two-point attempts. . . MD is a better team when he eases up on the three-point trigger and uses penetration to get shots and feeds. . . sixth consecutive game with four or more turns. . . averaging 5.4 turns per game over the last eight. . . seems to have the GW green light to shoot when he wants from distance without repercussions. . . this is easy for GW to remedy. . . establish some freakin' repercussions.

Hayes: 11 points, 3 boards, 0 dimes, and 6 turns. . . has made 19 of his last 43 (44%) over his last ten games. . . on the down side, we learned that he cannot dribble with his left hand. . . the turns were unbelievably careless. . . so much for his assist to turnover ratio. . . we need him to penetrate more often and learn how to draw contact - has only shot 14 FTs over the past ten games (made 12).

Osby: WTF? This guy has disappeared. . . absolutely no confidence. . . his reduction in PT (only 24 minutes) was not due to fouls (zero). . . 0 points on four shots (which were not close misses) and only four boards to go with three turns. . . no blocks. . . MD was a better team tonight with Burney on the floor. . . Least likely sign to be seen at College Park on Sunday against Clemson: "Fear the Cornrows". . . It is a lock that the Fro will be back on Sunday Night. - Late Update: Just heard that he was ill; MD needs a quick recovery.

Milbourne: 23 minutes, 2 points (on two attempts), six boards, and five fouls. . . MD is a better team when he gets more looks offensively. . . has made 10 of his last 18 three-point attempts. . . stellar on the defensive end.

Burney: Solid game. . . when he gets the ball two feet from the basket, he needs to think throw down instead of kick out. . . needs to learn how to hedge. . . sensational blocked dunk that led to a half-court Vasquez to Gist dunk on the other end. . . can shoot with his left hand; something Osby cannot do.

Solid contibutions from Bowie (16 minutes) and Tucker (10 minutes).

The 46 minutes of bench play was a welcome change and had a positive affect on the defensive intensity throughout the game.

Scenarios:
23 - 11 (win out and win the ACC tourny): 4 Seed
22 - 12 (win out and lose in the ACC Championship): 6 Seed
21 - 12 (win out and lose in the ACC semifinals): 8 Seed
21 - 13 (win one of next two; win TH and FR at ACC): 10 Seed
20 - 13 (several possibilities): 11 Seed
19 - 13 (win one of next two; first round loss): NIT