D.J. Strawberry looks forward to getting back on the road. And it’s not because he’s a glutton for punishment.
After shooting 19 percent from the field (4-for-21) in Maryland’s first two Atlantic Coast Conference road contests, the Terrapins senior guard was determined to raise his play in Blacksburg against Virginia Tech two weeks ago. Mission partly accomplished. Strawberry was 5-for-13 from the field. But it wasn’t enough.
“I haven’t been shooting the ball well on the road,” said Strawberry. “I don’t think it’s really mental, I think I have to just keeping shooting. I’m a good enough player that my shots will start falling for me.”
He’ll get another chance to find his tonight as the Terps face Florida State in Tallahassee.
Recruited for his outstanding defensive play, the 6-foot-5 Strawberry is now the Terrapins’ leading scorer (15.2 points per game). Forced to become the team’s primary offensive option, that responsibility only intensifies in hostile territory.
“It’s just a matter of me concentrating and focusing a little bit more,” said Strawberry. “I know that if I could just step my game up a little bit that we could’ve had a couple road wins there.”
His defense also has suffered when his shot isn’t falling. He’s still second in the ACC in steals, but his 2.43-per-game average dips to just one in Maryland’s conference losses.
The Terrapins vary in their attention to the latest NCAA Tournament projections, but their next two games, both on the road, will seriously affect their current “bubble” status.
“At this stage of the game, being 2-4 [in the ACC] — you can’t go down to being 2-5, lose road games — I don’t think we can afford to drop this one,” said junior forward Bambale Osby.
The Terps must contain Florida State senior forward Al Thornton, who’s averaging 23 points and nine rebounds in his last six games.
“He’s an All-American. I don’t think there’s any doubt about him,” said Maryland head coach Gary Williams.
“He outplays most of his opponents every night he plays,” said Strawberry of Thornton. “He’s athletic, runs the floor well, and he’s a mismatch problem for any four-man in the league because he’s really a three.”
Maryland (16-5, 2-4 ACC) at Florida State (15-6, 3-4)
» When: Tonight, 8
» Where: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Fla.
» TV: WDCA-20
