For the Maryland and Georgetown basketball teams, this year is playing out like the freshman seasons of their respective point guards. How does that bode for their fortunes in the NCAA tournament? Here’s a breakdown.
Maryland 2007 » In Greivis Vasquez‘s rookie season, the Terps caught fire in February. They won their final seven regular-season games (same as this year), followed by a first-round exit in the ACC Tournament in which they lost to an 11-19 Miami squad. A week later, as a No. 4 seed, Maryland played uninspired in the NCAAs, needing to rally in the second half to overcome No. 13 Davidson, then losing to No. 5 Butler.
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Why Heed 2007? » In 2007, Maryland entered the NCAAs having played one game in the previous 11 days. This year it will be one in 12. Rested? Yes. Sharp? No.
Why Disregard 2007? » The 2007 team didn’t have anything resembling the ACC Player of the Year that Vasquez has become.
Georgetown 2008 » In Chris Wright‘s freshman year, the Hoyas made a nice run to the Big East Tournament final, losing to Pittsburgh. The following week in the NCAA Tournament, Georgetown was a No. 2 seed and rolled past No. 15 UMBC in the opening round but then was upset by No. 10 Davidson.
Why Heed 2008? » An exhilarating tournament run at electric Madison Square Garden, such as the ones the Hoyas staged last week and in 2008, can exact a toll. Recapturing the edge is a dicey proposition. The telling stat in the Davidson loss was turnovers. Georgetown committed 20 and forced just four, an indication its intensity was not there.
Why Disregard 2008? » These are different teams. In 2008, Georgetown was coming off a run to the 2007 Final Four. This year’s squad presumably will have more hunger. It also has a better go-to player — Greg Monroe instead of Roy Hibbert.
