Production for Maryland sophomore plummets in ACC play
Through the first two months of the season, Maryland’s best player was arguably Sean Mosley. In his sophomore year, the 6-foot-4 guard from Baltimore was justifying the faith coach Gary Williams has always expressed in him.
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As a pugnacious defender, relentless rebounder, and efficient offensive threat, Mosley had become a valued Gary Guy – exceeding his recruiting-service projections through effort and unselfishness, and becoming an instrument through which Williams could move his team.
While it’s important to note that Mosley’s contributions often go beyond the scorebook, it’s also true that his offensive numbers are down — way down.
In 13 non-conference games, Mosley has averaged 14 points and shot 64 percent from the floor. In nine Atlantic Coast Conference contests, Mosley is averaging 7.1 points and shooting 40 percent. In Saturday’s humbling loss at Duke, Mosley had one of his typical ACC efforts – 2 of 6 from the floor for four points in 24 forgetable minutes.
“Sean gives you a lot of things beside scoring,” said Williams. “You want points from everybody, but the way to win games is have five guys really going hard and the points come in those situations.”
The Maryland offense is not geared to Mosley. Of the starting five, his role is the least defined. Point guard Greivis Vasquez is the scorer and playmaker. His favorite kick-out target on the perimeter is Eric Hayes, the team’s best outside shooter. Forward Landon Milbourne gets catch-and-shoot attempts around the key, while forward Jordan Williams receives low-post touches.
It doesn’t leave much for Mosley, who gets lots of his offensive opportunities in transition and through hustle plays. Maryland (16-7, 6-3) hopes to get Mosley more involved Monday night when it plays host to Virginia (14-8, 5-4).
“Hopefully for Sean the points will be there, but you can’t let that affect the other parts of his game,” said Williams. “You just have to keep playing defense, keep rebounding, doing all the those things, then if the points are there, they’re there.”
Notes » Williams did not sound concerned about the Terps’ poor performance Saturday in the 21-point loss at Duke. “What’s there to think about?” asked Williams. “We’ve won two [ACC] games on the road. We lost down there, like everybody else has down there so far this year. We’re not embarrassed.” … [Duke is] good. They’re the eighth-ranked team in the country. I think they’re better than that.” … In the Terps’ three ACC losses, Milbourne, a 53 percent shooter, has hit 7 of 29 shots (24 percent). He was 1 of 6 Saturday.
