MD - Clemson Notes

NCAA Chances: 70%
Projected Record on Selection Sunday: 21 - 13 (this would be a 9 seed)

MD was up 59 - 39 with 11 minutes remaining. . . only to be outscored 34 - 11.

The end of the game was similar to what happened at WF three nights earlier. No killer instinct. We have seen this thoughout the year as they have squandered leads very easily.

It is not so much the number of turnovers that plagues this team. . . it is the type of turnovers, the time of game when these turnovers occur, and the easy conversions that result. Despite his impressive assist per game figure, Vasquez is still playing out of position; he is a two. Hayes is also a two. GW needs to bring in a pure PG recruit so that Hayes can play the two and Vasquez can play the three at times next year.

Sometimes, a seemingly innocent coaching decision can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of the game. Tonight, it was putting McAlpin and Neal into the game with ten minutes left. This is a move you make with five minutes remaining. This move signals the end of the game and is essentially the coach telling the team to start the bus.

It is kind of like Dusty Baker giving the game ball to Russ Ortiz with eight outs remaining up 5 - 0 in game six of the 2002 World Series.

I used to think that the most amazing comeback in a MD game was the team that was down 22 with 13 minutes left at UNC in 1996 and came back to win by six. . .

Vasquez had a quadruple seven. . . to go along with an 0 for 5 performance from distance.

The development of Bowie and Burney makes MD a team that can pull a second-round surprise if they can get into the tournament. MD is now a legitimate eight deep.

If MD loses to UVA, this means that they would need to win three ACC tournament games to get in. 20 - 14 equals NIT.

A win at UVA and two wins (TH and FR) puts the Terps in. A win at UVA and only one win in Charlotte = 20 - 13 = NCAA bubble = 12 seed or, most likely, NIT.