Maryland let up season-high 91 points in last game
The Maryland Terrapins are getting defensive about their insufficient NCAA tournament credentials, and about their preparation for their final five regular season games.
In costly losses last week at Boston College and Virginia Tech, Maryland struggled on defense — an aspect that has often been a strength under Gary Williams, and for most of this season was as formidable as ever.
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But against Boston College, Maryland surrendered a career-high 31 points to Reggie Jackson, and the Eagles shot 48.2 percent from the field. Against Virginia Tech, Maryland gave up 91 points — 11 more than in any game this season — and forced only nine turnovers in a fast-paced game.
“I haven’t been particularly happy with our defense the last couple games,” Williams said. “Hopefully we can pick it up at home.”
Sunday against North Carolina State (14-11, 4-7), there’s little doubt about the Terps’ priority.
“We’ve done a lot of defensive work,” Williams said. “We can play better defense than we did at Virginia Tech.”
| Up next |
| N.C. State at Maryland |
| When » Saturday, 5:30 p.m. |
| Where » Comcast Center |
| TV/Radio »FSN/980 AM |
There’s no better foil for Maryland than N.C. State. The Terps have beaten the Wolfpack seven straight times, but all of those victories came with Greivis Vasquez in the backcourt. On Sunday, in tribute to his memorable career, the Terps will raise Vasquez’s No. 21 jersey to the rafters, while another No. 21, freshman Pe’Shon Howard, hopes to carry on the tradition.
Thursday after the Maryland women upset Duke, Howard was a solitary figure on the Comcast Center floor, practicing jump shots in the empty arena.
It appears that Williams has decided to put the fortunes of the Terps in the hands of Howard and fellow freshman guard Terrell Stoglin. The pair have risen as seniors Cliff Tucker and Adrian Bowie have struggled and seen their minutes shrink.
Since taking over as starting point guard four games ago, Howard has averaged 11.0 points and 5.2 assists with just four turnovers. Stoglin also has thrived, averaging 14.8 points and 5.5 assists, while hitting 20 of 32 shots.
After two straight ACC wins, N.C. State might not be so compliant. Thursday night at home, the Wolfpack toppled Clemson 69-61, helping the Terps in the middle-of-the-pack scramble in the ACC.
Maryland (16-10, 5-6) is in seventh place in the league, but still has an outside chance of catching third-place Florida State (18-7, 8-3), which will be without its best player, Chris Singleton (foot), until mid-March. The Terps host the Seminoles on Wednesday at Comcast Center.
“We can still do some things right now,” Williams said. “We have to get it done.”
