There was no madness in Maryland’s method. No needed late escape act or miracle shot. The Terrapins rediscovered their inner game.
Jordan Williams delivered the best performance by a Maryland big man since the 2002 national championship with 21 points and 17 rebounds in the 89-77 victory over Houston. Landon Milbourne added 19 points and seven rebounds in the NCAA Tournament opener on Friday. It was like Lonny Baxter and Chris Wilcox returned from the title team.
The Terps normally thrive on guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes, but suddenly the frontcourt is peaking as fourth-seeded Maryland meets fifth-seeded Michigan State on Sunday. Maryland confounded Houston with its inside-out game. Maryland’s backcourt combined for 30 points, 16 by Vasquez, but it was the bigs who dominated for once with a 50-29 rebounding edge.
Maryland took its NCAA opener for the 10th straight year. But this crew hasn’t won a second-rounder in its four seasons. Michigan State certainly seems beatable. The Spartans needed a questionable last-second lane violation by New Mexico State to win 70-67 on Friday.
It’s another frontcourt mismatch for the Terps against the Spartans’ three-guard offense. Last year’s national finalist, Michigan State has been perplexing despite a 25-8 mark. The Spartans should be a frontrunner rather than struggling to dispatch a 13 seed on Friday. Instead, their frontcourt is weaker than watered-down happy hour drinks.
Will Vasquez in his final moments as one of the Terps’ greats give way to the next heavyweight? The Venezuelan guard is supposed to deliver a memorable farewell — and he did make everyone around him better against Houston with excellent passing and defense — but Williams now seems the postseason key.
The 6-foot-10 freshman is only a year away from winning the Connecticut state title when he became a YouTube sensation by smashing a backboard.
Williams delivered a respectable rookie season for the Terps, averaging 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. He flashed early potential with 19 points and 12 rebounds against Villianova in just his eighth game. When Maryland finished the regular season with seven straight wins, Williams recorded four double-doubles in that span.
Coincidentally, Milbourne is proving the perfect elder sidekick. The senior averaged 12.5 points this season, but seemed to wear down over the final weeks after a standout December and January. Yet, Milbourne may be feeding off Williams’ energy. Their combined 40 points and 24 rebounds against Houston would win many tournament games.
Vasquez versus Michigan State counterpart Kalin Lucas would seem the key matchup, but Maryland withstood 26 points by Houston guard Aubrey Coleman. If the Terps frontcourt dominates again, Maryland is headed for its first Sweet 16 since 2003.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
