Whether it has been concentration, motivation or pure luck, Maryland lookslike a completely different team since losing to American last month for the first time since the Great Depression.
The Terrapins (9-6) rebounded from the 67-59 defeat by winning three straight entering tonight?s game against Holy Cross (9-3) at Comcast Center at 8 in the team?s final tune-up before resuming Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech on Saturday.
“It?s a little easier to drill into them after American U and Ohio U,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “They listen a little better after something like that happens.”
The Terrapins appeared destined for a downward spiral after losing to American, but instead of wilting, they rallied ? posting victories over Delaware, Savannah Stateand Charlotte.
“We kind of took [American] lightly,” freshman Cliff Tucker said. “Maryland hadn?t lost to them in 80 years. We didn?t prepare very well, we didn?t practice as hard as we could. Now that we lost to them, we know that we can?t take anyone lightly. We have to go hard every play, like it?s an ACC game.”
The Terrapins have thrived since Williams removed the players? nameplates, framed photographs and practice jerseys from the their locker room after losing to American. His reason: Playing at Maryland is a privilege ? not a right. Williams returned the practice jerseys to his players after their victory over Charlotte, but they haven?t earned the rest. At least not yet.
“We?re kind of young, so we might need a little something else to stimulate our energy,” sophomore forward Landon Milbourne said. “That?s what we?re doing right now.”
It?s shown. The Terrapins have scored at least 40 points in each first half during their winning streak.
“I don?t think we really took the games that seriously at the beginning of the season,” Milbourne said. “Now we realize how serious it is. It?s getting into the thick of things now, so we have to do whatever we can to get everybody into it.”
Maryland vs. Holy Cross
» Tipoff: Tonight, 8
» Where: Comcast Center
» TV: CSN
» Radio: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM
