Maryland uses depth in opening-night win
Less than three minutes into Maryland’s opener Monday at Comcast Center, Terrapins coach Gary Williams performed his first coattail-flapping pirouette of 2010-11, wheeling on his own bench, his signature spin move of rage.
While Williams was in midseason form, it took his players longer to warm up in a 105-76 victory over Seattle in the 2K Sports Classic.
In their first game in five years without departed guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes, the Terps struggled with shooting and ball-handling, allowing the Redhawks, in their second year in Division I, to stay close for the first 30 minutes.
But on a night when Maryland committed 29 turnovers and hit just two 3-point shots, there were still plenty of positives. The Terps were relentless on defense and on the boards, forcing 27 turnovers and out-rebounding the Redhawks 43-29.
“We’re trying to win and learn at the same time,” said Williams. “We had some unforced turnovers. Those are the ones we’ve got to work on.”
Starters Cliff Tucker (16 points, 7 rebounds) and Sean Mosley (21 points, 4 assists) were active and disruptive, while freshmen reserves Pe’Shon Howard (5 points, 8 assists, 3 steals) and Terrell Stoglin (15 points, 5 assists) kicked the tempo up a notch in the backcourt.
“They were great for their first college game,” said Williams of the freshmen.
Another newcomer, 6-10 junior Berend Weijs had three blocks in four minutes and hit both of his shots from the floor.
“All the guys who came off the bench gave us some type of energy,” said Mosley. “Second half, they played tremendeous basketball and carried us.”
Rotating 11 players, Maryland wore down Seattle with numbers. The Terps’ edge in depth and fitness was apparent during a decisive 14-2 run, midway through the second half, which gave Maryland an 80-58 lead.
“They did a good job of getting some run-outs,” said Seattle coach Cameron Dollar. “We probably ran out of a little gas as far as being able to execute.”
On a night when he often struggled to direct the offense, senior guard Adrian Bowie (9 points, 7 turnovers) fueled the spurt with six of his points and a dish to sophomore forward Jordan Williams (17 points, 15 rebounds) for an emphatic slam-dunk.
Later, freshman Mychal Parker (4 points) one-upped Williams’ stuff with the first slam of his career, off a feed from Ersin Levent.
Seattle showed no hesitance to run with Maryland and stayed close for the first 30 minutes behind reserve forward Alex Jones (20 points) and guards Cervante Burrell (13 points) and Garrett Lever (7 steals), son of former NBA guard “Fat” Lever.
“For this early in the year, that game was really quick,” said Williams of the tempo.
Maryland won’t get much time to rest as it faces College of Charleston Wednesday at Comcast in another 2K Sports Classic match-up.
“We’ve got to be ready as soon as tip-off starts,” said Bowie. “We’ve got to stop turning the ball over. Twenty-nine turnovers is too much.”
