Saturday, February 20, 2010

MD - GT Comments



Wow.

That was an awesome game from start to finish. NCAA tournament-type atmosphere. The answer to the question is Drew Nicholas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQhNDWnlflE

Seven years ago. The question is when was the last time MD had a more significant buzzer-beater to win a game. The Nicholas shot had a higher degree of difficulty.

Tucker entered the game with four minutes remaining based solely on a bad inbounds pass from Mosley. Great pass from Hayes on the play. Tucker was clutch.

Gani Lawal was 2 for 8 at the line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmmnA8WVqW8

In watching the video, it is clear that the time-out call was made by Keith Booth. GW was immediately irate, turned his back to the court to confront Booth, and seemed to shout, you never do that. Then, he looked at the court and realized that Vasquez's shot had banked in. This added fuel to the fire. He then swung one arm in a pointing motion at Booth and then did the same with his other arm (backpedaling as he did so - reminiscent of Carmelo at the Garden a few years back). I don't think he made contact. Nonetheless, I am guessing that Booth will be leaving the time-out calls to GW the rest of the way. All will be forgotten after the Tucker 26-footer.

Another event that is likely to be forgotten. . . Vasquez's floater from the lane with 15 seconds left to put MD up by one.

Another? How about the put-back by Jordan Williams late in the game? Or, the Eric Hayes drive with the shot high off the backboard? Or, his routine three-pointer with a minute left?

Four lead changes in the final 23 seconds.

MD now stands at 9 and 3 in the league.

NCAA Tournament Chances: 95%
Vasquez in the NBA next year chances (full season): 90%
Pre-game RPI: 38

Four tough ACC games remaining (RPI shown below):

Clemson (36)
at VT (45)
Duke (3)
at UVA (110)

Winning two of the four seems likely. A win against Clemson next week would lock up a first-round bye in Greensboro.

When was the last time MD was actually unfortunate in not being able to play UNC twice? Tar Heel nation is spiraling with an RPI of 82 after losing 9 of their past 11 games. Nine straight if you remove NC State from the equation.

UNC's NIT Tournament Chances: coin flip

Nice.

There is no way Favors returns to GT next year. Top five NBA lottery pick lock. Maybe, top two.

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12,512

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