MD - Duke Comments

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OK. Sorry for the delay in posting to this blog. No excuses other than bad funding.

NCAA Tournament Likelihood: 0.6%
NIT Tournament Likelihood: 57%

- I read earlier today that Lefty wasn't happy with the decision to put Gary Williams' name on the court - saying it was a "disservice to Lucas, Elmore, Branch, etc." Hold on a second:

1. Why wasn't Len Bias included in that statement?
2. Gary's name absolutely belongs on the court.
3. Bob Wade thinks it is a disservice to Rudy Archer and Tony Massenburg.

- I watched Gary Williams' first game as an announcer on the Big Ten network two weeks ago - paired with Gus Johnson. Very solid performance.

- Why did it take until 2 minutes elapsed in the second half for Shulman and Knight to realize that Stoglin was left-handed? Nothing like getting complemented three times for using your strong hand. Knight's commentary tonight was less than stellar.

- Most Surprising Player: James Padgett. The stats do not show the whole story. He is averaging 9 and 6. But, when you watch him this year versus his first two years, the difference is amazing. He has slowed down his game. Mixed in a drop step. Improved his shooting. Very impressive development in his game.

- Stoglin: Needs to shoot more. A lot more. Having a very solid season. It is his team. Need more effort on defense. Not sure what happened tonight at the FT line.

- Howard: Needs to shoot less. A lot less. He is at his best when driving and dishing. Does not have the ball-handling skills to be fully effective at the point.

- Len: There was an article three weeks ago stating that he would be a lottery pick in June. Not sure what that writer was smoking. His game has significantly regressed over the past month - before the injury against Temple. He is at his worst when he stands 20 feet from the basket hoping to get an open look. If MD is going to make a run this year, he needs to develop a low-post game and learn how to stay on the floor on defense to not pick-up cheap fouls. Turgeon has to put him back in the starting line-up. The kid needs minutes.

- Turgeon: Good hire. Tonight, he basically decided that he didn't want Duke beating MD from the three-point line and took his chances going man-up on Mason Plumlee inside. Not a bad idea. It worked for 30 minutes. Plumlee played the game of his life - McHale-like on the block at times. Not sure why the help-side defense was so bad all night. It turned into a lay-up drill during the second-half when Coach K pulled everyone above the FT line.

As for the long-term situation, you have to wonder about the following scenario. MD does very well over the next three years (going to the tournament each year; going to the elite 8 in 2014; Dalonte Hill brings in key recruits and buys a breathalyzer; etc.). Then, Bill Self has a couple more early unexpected tournament exits. Then, a Turgeon presser saying that Kansas was the only job he would take over staying at MD as he departs in a U-Haul for Lawrence.

- Mosley: Bizarre sequence tonight when he pulled up for a top of the key three-pointer on a fast break off the dribble. Having a decent season overall. Gets a ton of his shots blocked.

- Pankey: I would like to buy stock in his game. Fun to watch. All-ACC by his senior year.

- Faust: Not a good shooter. Takes bad shots. Needs to realize that he is at his best when he is slashing to the hoop and stop relying on his outside game.

- Parker: Should get more playing time.

- Weijs: Should get less playing time.