With a two-game losing skid behind them, the Maryland Terrapins are looking forward with optimism.
Powered by a starting lineup that features three sophomores and a freshman, Maryland (6-4 overall, 0-1 ACC) was expected to be an inconsistent team. So far, they have lived up to that billing, having defeated national power Illinois, but having lost to UCLA, Missouri, Virginia Commonwealth and Boston College.
After opening the Atlantic Coast Conference play with an 81-78 loss to Boston College on Sunday, Maryland?s players enter tonight?s non-conference game against Ohio (5-2) at 8 believing they are on the verge of becoming a very good team.
“We?re this far away, man,” senior forward Bambale Osby said, holding his index finger and thumb inches apart. “A turnover here, a missed free throw there, a rebound here, and the game is a different game. We?re really close. We?ve just got to get there.”
The Terrapins have six games ? including tonight ? to do it before the conference season is in full swing when Maryland visits Virginia Tech on Jan. 12.
“We?re a team that?s going to get better,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “We?re going to have to work really hard to continue to get better as the season goes on. Last year we had six seniors. You?re in a different place with your team. This year, we?re in a learning place. We?re working very hard and I?m proud of the way they?re working. Hopefully, they?ll continue to do that.”
Sunday?s game offered a great step ? the Terrapins rallied from a nine-point, second-half deficit without leading scorer Greivis Vasquez to pull to within a point in the final minute.
“We showed a lot of heart coming back with the guys we had out there, and we had a chance to win at the end,” sophomore guard Eric Hayes said. “We have to start the game off better.”
Maryland is still looking for a complete, 40-minute effort, and Osby is confident it will happen soon.
“You?ve just got to mature. There?s no on-and-off switch,” Osby said. “We?ve seen glimpses of it, like some of the games we?ve played earlier in the season. We have to mature into that team, and I think we?re still getting there.”
