Big ACC wins at home have been followed by losses on the road
Some say the Maryland Terrapins are an enigma. But after 10 Atlantic Coast Conference games, they’ve actually established a clear pattern.
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Each time the Terps have hit the road after an uplifting ACC victory at Comcast Center, they’ve lost. Then, after each of the losses, Maryland has rebounded with an impressive win.
Tonight Maryland (17-7, 7-3), coming off an exhilarating 85-66 romp Monday over Virginia in College Park, has a chance to alter the pattern with a win at North Carolina State (14-12, 2-9).
“After a good win you have to be able to focus on the next game and not let whatever happen in that previous game effect the way you play,” said Maryland coach Gary Williams. “I think I do have a group of mature players who understand that concept.”
Understand it or not, they haven’t executed it so far this year. A good opportunity comes tonight, however, against the struggling Wolfpack, who have lost six straight conference games after a stunning victory over Duke.
Last month, Maryland handed N.C. State its most decisive ACC loss, 88-64. The Wolfpack joined three other ACC teams that have sustained their worst conference defeat at Comcast Center.
“You have to be ready to play. When we walk out on the floor tomorrow the score is 0-0,” said Williams. “We have to play a certain way each time we take the court.”
Maryland’s home victories have come by an average margin of 19 points. Away from College Park, Maryland’s average margin in ACC games is minus-2 points.
“We have to make sure everybody’s ready, make sure everybody’s got the proper rest,” said forward Landon Milbourne. “The way we practice is a real good transition to how we play in the game. We had a real good practice [Sunday]. I think that’s the reason we played well [against Virginia].”
Much of Milbourne’s focus tonight will be on junior forward Tracy Smith, who leads the Wolfpack in scoring (17.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 pg). N.C. State will have the advantage of rest. Its last game was Saturday.
“They don’t have the same situation we do. It’s different and you have to handle it,” said Williams. “The toughest part of it is the mental thing of coming down from the game last night, then having to focus in practice and then gradually get yourself up for 40 minutes of tough basketball.”
After scoring 30 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing five assists and committing zero turnovers Monday night, Greivis Vasquez had the right attitude.
“I don’t want to talk about Duke. I don’t want to talk about Clemson,” said the senior guard. “N.C. State is the most important game. Let’s talk about it now.”
