Game Blog: Maryland wins 74-69
Courtney Fells and Trevor Ferguson of N.C. State get a little practice in before their game against Maryland in the 2009 ACC Tournament on March 12, 2009.
Mar 12, 2009
Update 9:00 p.m. — That's a wrap:
Well, State's ACC Tournament is over in the first round for the second consecutive year. It fought harder this year and was a more united squad, but the result ultimately is all that matter.
At least this year the Wolfpack can expect some more basketball in one of the 5,842 postseason tournaments we have now. All that's needed is an above-.500 record in a major conference
Update 8:54 p.m. — Close game, ugly finish:
This is one of those games that people will look at — people who didn't watch it — and say, "Oh, a moderately close game." In reality, it was a great back-and-forth contest until the last few minutes.
Maryland is now well on its way, a few seconds from the victory. Hopefully there will be no last-second antics this time around. Just hold onto the ball, Greivis.
Update 8:49 p.m. — Maryland pulling away:
It's been close the whole way, but it's starting to look like State's ACC Tournament is almost in the books. It simply hasn't been able to match Maryland's late-game execution.
Update 8:45 p.m. — The Vasquez factor:
The thing about Vasquez is that no player on State's roster is consistently as clutch as he is. His recent shot, a huge 3-pointer, gave Maryland its 66-62 lead. That followed another 3-pointer by Hayes, his fifth of the night. Now the Terps are in the bonus.
Vasquez has 17 points and 10 assists. Not a bad night for the ACC second-teamer.
They also got a huge block by Milbourne on McCauley, who should have gone up stronger anticipating the defensive response.
Mays has stayed on the floor instead of starter Gonzalez, and I can't really disagree. He's played well whenever in the game tonight.
Do-or-die time for the Wolfpack.
Update 8:38 p.m. — State's unsung heroes
A bunch of players off the bench are keeping the Wolfpack in this thing. While Ben McCauley is the only starter who has done anything offensively, scoring 12, Horner has 11 off the bench and Mays has been absolutely huge.
Sidney Lowe would be advised to keep Mays in the lineup in any future games State plays. Mays has been clutch, nailing State's last two field goals to give him 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
State up 59-58.
Update 8:33 p.m. — Back-and-forth action:
Here's a stat for you (not that you don't know it simply by watching). There have been eight lead changes in the last few minutes. Since Horner's 3-pointer made it 45-43 State, the advantage has swung back and forth on almost every possession.
The quality of play is at its highest level of the night, with crisp ball movement and passing. With 7:31 remaining, it's 54-52 Maryland. And who knows who will hit the key shots?
We all know about Vasquez, who leads the Terps with 14 points. But big, bad Dave Neal hit two huge 3-pointers. And on the other side, Williams hit a 3 — giving him eight solid points for the Pack.
Here we go. Another tight game for the Pack.
Update 8:25 p.m. — We've got ourselves a barnburner:
This one is tight, folks. It looked for a few minutes like the Terps might put some distance between themselves and the Pack. But the Pack has responded, with C.J. Williams making a strong move and jumper to make it a one-point game.
It looks like the Pack is executing a little bit better against the 3-2 zone. It'll need to in crunch time.
Oh, and Costner did get that silly third foul on an over-the-back a few minutes ago. He's on the bench.
Update 8:20 p.m. — How to penetrate the zone:
Fells just did what the Wolfpack has failed to do for most of the half against MD's 3-2 zone. He penetrated into the paint and then quickly dished off to Dennis Horner on the basline. Horner got fouled and made a pair of free throws.
Update 8:17 p.m. — Maryland's streaky shooter:
Eric Hayes has been up and down all season with his 3-point shooting. Tonight, unfortunately for State, he's on. The junior guard is 4-of-5 from downtown, helping Maryland to a five-point lead.
He and Vasquez each have 12 points, but he's taken six less shots. That's how dangerous a hot 3-point shooter can be. State, on the other hand, has cooled off since its torrid start. It's shooting 44.1 percent, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range.
Five 3s for Maryland to three for the Wolfpack. There, basically, is your difference.
Update 8:11 p.m. — Good shots?
State is doing well breaking Maryland's full-court press, but it isn't taking the smartest shots. After making his first 3, Costner has taken two ill-advised shots from downtown. And Tracy Smith just bull-rushed his way into the lane and picked up a charge.
It's 39-36 Terps.
Update 8:09 p.m. — Costner living dangerously:
Costner just got away with what looked like an over-the-back call. But he's still in the game and he hit a contested 3-pointer, his first field goal of the game.
Update 8:03 p.m. — Second half keys:
If State is patient and gets the ball inside, it has a good shot of pulling off the mini upset. Of course, it also has to contain Vasquez from going off — easier said than done.
The other key for the Wolfpack will be limiting turnovers. It has to take better care of the ball.
Predictions anyone? I, for one, have no idea.
Update 7:55 p.m. — Tied at halftime:
It's halftime, with the game knotted at 29. A couple notable statistics:
— Brandon Costner played just 3 minutes, continuing his recent disappearing act. He was 0-for-1 from the field and picked up two fouls. State could win this game without him contributing, but his assistance sure would be beneficial.
— State has done a good job on Vasquez, holding him to four points on 2-for-6 shooting. But he isn't looking for his shot all that much. That explains his five assists.
— Sidney Lowe won't be happy about State's 11 turnovers, which have turned into 14 points for the Terrapins. Erase those possessions, and the Pack is up 10 or so.
Should be a good second half.
Update 7:46 p.m. — Dumb call:
It really is a silly call. Mays just scored a basket but was whistled for a foul as well. It should either be a foul and no basket or just the basket. Silly rule.
Update 7:43 p.m. — What a block, baby!
C.J. Williams just made the play, somehow elevating to block Milbourne as the Terrapin attempted a one-handed dunk. We'll see if that gets the Pack back on track...
So far, no. They just had a shot-clock violation.
Update 7:40 p.m. — The tide has changed:
So much for that big lead for the Wolfpack. An 11-point advantage has dwindled to just one, 25-24. That's what 3-point shooting can do for you (or against you). Hayes made three 3s and Cliff Tucker just nailed a 3 to bring the Terps within one.
Meanwhile, the Pack's shot selection isn't as good as it was earlier. Gonzalez just took a bad, contested 3.
Update 7:37 p.m. — Good, hard foul:
Courtney Fells just committed a hard foul on Milbourne on a fast break. Thankfully, the refs saw it for what it was: a play on the ball. That wasn't the case earlier in the year when Fells was whistled, wrongfully, for an intentional against Virginia Tech that turned the momentum in a Hokies win.
So far today, the refs have seemed pretty solid.
Update 7:32 p.m. — Maryland needs this:
Just a little commentary on the Terrapins. They've showed some life of late, with Eric Hayes making consecutive 3-pointer to make this a nine-point game.
They should be lively, because a loss here means another NIT appearance. Maryland needs a win tonight and probably another tomorrow over Wake Forest to make the Big Dance. Meanwhile, as we all know, State needs to win the thing to reach the Dance.
Oh, the pressure...
Update 7:28 p.m. — Mays looks good:
Well, Julius Mays is far from rusty. The freshman has made a pair of contested jumpers, including one against the 3-2 zone the Terps just employed. He appears confident and far from tentative. That has to be a good sign for the Wolfpack.
Update 7:26 p.m. — State looks good, Maryland looks bad:
This game is going quickly — with only four fouls called — and State looks good. Maryland, on the other hand, looks especially bad.
Sometimes in these tournaments that's simply what happens. Just look at the Miami-V. Tech game from earlier. Maybe it's State's night.
Still early, however.
Update 7:19 p.m. — Mays in, Degand out:
I'm not exactly sure why, but for the first time in seven games Julius Mays is playing as State's backup point guard. Gonzalez started and we haven't seen usual backup Farnold Degand. Mays just entered the ballgame. It'll be interesting to see how he reacts to seeing the floor for the first time in a while.
Meanwhile, State went to a 2-3 zone a couple possessions ago. The key guy against that for Maryland is Landon Milbourne, who is usually good operating in the middle. He's been an unsung hero for most of the conference season.
He did, however, turn it over the first time he touched the ball in the middle of the zone.
It's 15-8 Pack.
Update 7:14 p.m. — Balanced scoring:
We have finally reached the first media timeout with 12:57 remaining in the half. After a sloppy start, the Pack are spreading it around offensively. Four different players have scored in a variety of ways. Balanced scoring will be key for N.C. State.
It's always harder to defend a team when you can't hone in on one guy. State has made 6 of its first 9 shots.
It's 13-8 Wolfpack.
Update 7:07 p.m. — Empty seats:
If you're in the Atlanta area, come on down. There are thousands of empty seats in the lower level here. I don't anticipate it filling up more throughout the night.
Fells hit his first shot — a good sign for the Pack. And Javier Gonzalez has started out on Vasquez.
Update 7:03 p.m. — Fells' health:
A big question entering tonight is just how healthy Courtney Fells is The senior was just introduced last, and if the Wolfpack are going to do anything big in this tournament, they need his scoring as well as defense. If he's able, he should guard Vasquez tonight.
Fells didn't mask his word yesterday when asked about Vasquez's shot. Let's see how he responds.
Game time.
Update 7:00 p.m. — What D will Maryland play?
Something to watch early: In the Terps' 71-60 win in Raleigh, they confused the Wolfpack with a 3-2 zone. It will be interesting to see if the Terps bring a similar approach tonight. The key for the Wolfpack against that D would be to penetrate into the middle and then find the post players down low.
State clearly has a size advantage. How well will it take advantage of it?
Update 6:55 p.m. — State as a No. 10 seed:
This is the second time N.C. State is a No. 10 seed. The first time, they dealt with it pretty well. Yep, in 2007 they won three games before losing to North Carolina in the final.
Update 6:39p.m. — Time for the night session:
Welcome to the evening session of hoops here in the Georgia Dome. While Georgia Tech's upset of fifth seed Clemson might end up being the dominant story line of the day, this upcoming N.C. State-Maryland game has plenty of flavor.
It all starts with Maryland point guard Greivis Vasquez, who didn't make many Wolfpack players or fans happy when he shot a 3-pointer — and made it — at the end of the Terrapins' recent 71-60 win at N.C. State.
It will be interesting to see how hard the Wolfpck go at Vasquez, and whether Courtney Fells — back from an injury — can keep up with Maryland's go-to guy.
OK, much more to come. Let's get ready for more hoops.
