Maryland can get to the Sweet 16 but no further. Says who? It’s time to ditch the bracketology lemmings and think big. Only a handful of teams are playing as well as the Terps. So close your eyes and remember 2002. If those Terps could win an NCAA championship, so can these. Let’s compare.
Greivis Vasquez vs. Juan Dixon » Different players but with a similar influence on their teams. Dixon (20.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg) was ACC Player of the Year. Vasquez (19.6, 4.6 rpg, 6.3 apg) should be.
Edge » Even
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Eric Hayes vs. Steve Blake » Blake (8.0 ppg, 7.9 apg) was quicker, a better weapon on the fast break and a superior defender. But Hayes (11.0 ppg, 3.9 apg) is a much better shooter from the floor (50.0 to 38.2) and the 3-point line (45.2 to 34.4).
Edge » Blake
Sean Mosley vs. Byron Mouton » The same player: both undersized “Gary Guys.” Mouton’s numbers (11.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) are similar, but Mosley (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg) is a better shooter from the field (53.5 to 46.9) and the 3-point line (43.8 to 25.5).
Edge » Mosley
Jordan Williams vs. Lonny Baxter » The biggest difference: Williams (6-foot-10) is a freshman, while Baxter (6-8) was a senior. But Williams’ numbers over the last five weeks (11.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 53.5 percent) compare nicely with Baxter’s (15.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 54.5 percent).
Edge » Even
Landon Milbourne vs. Chris Wilcox » The 6-7 Milbourne (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 50.0 percent FG) is an undersized finished product, while the 6-10 Wilcox (12.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 50.4 percent FG) was a quintessential four but had rough edges.
Edge » Wilcox
Bench » Drew Nicholas (7.1 ppg) and Tahj Holden (5.6 ppg) were the only 2002 reserves of consequence. Cliff Tucker (5.9 ppg), Adrian Bowie (4.5 ppg) and Dino Gregory (4.5 ppg, 3.76 rpg) provide more.
Edge » 2010
