Game Blog: Maryland might have punched their dance ticket
Jeff Teague of Wake Forest blocks the shot of Landon Milbourne of Maryland during the first half of their second round game in the 2009 ACC Tournament.
Mar 13, 2009
9:11 pm: Final Score Maryland 75 Wake Forest 64
The Terps get win number 20 and move to Semi Final Saturday to take on the Duke/Boston College and the Turtle faithful are happy with a chant of "Gary, Gary" for head coach Gary Williams. Wake never found their shooting touch going 22 of 74 from the floor and a dismal 3-25 from behind the three point line. For Maryland Greivis Vasquez his stat line was impressive 22 points 8 boards and 9 assists to lead his team in every catagory. Wake knows they are going to the NCAA, but didn't know how to use their size advantage and throw over the top of the Terp zone. Give credit to Maryland, they have outplayed both their opponents so far in this tournament and have a chance to be the first seven seed to reach the Finals since Virginia in 1977.
8:58pm: MD 67 Wake 58 2:56 to go
9 point lead for Maryland, with possession out of the timeout. Maryland's Vasquez has been huge with 22...a two three zone by Wake allowing MD to run clock...
8:55pm: After Wake cut it to 8
Gary Williams reinserts Vasquez and Neal, and Neal answers wth a three...
8:53pm: Same score...
The two most productive players are on the bench for the Terps...
8:45pm: MD 64 Wake 52 with 6:56 to go in the game
Greivis Vasquez just picked up his fourth foul on a great acting job by LD Williams to draw the foul, that will put Vasquez on the bench. Still the Terps are in control of the game not allowing Wake to get going from the outside. Of course most of this is Wake not being abotu to hit an open three. The next three minutes will decide this game.
8:40pm: MD 54 Wake 33 with 11:30 left in the game
Sorry it took so long to post, but we hope you enjoy the pictures that are up from the game. Anyways back to the action, Maryland has an answer for every mini run that Wake tries to put up and keeps the Deacond at arms length. Jeff Teague only has four points in the game and the outside shooting for Wake is pathetic, just 2 of 17. If they could knock down and outside shot, maybe there is a chance to break the zone, but util them it is uphill for the Deacons.
8:25pm: MD 48 Wake 33 with 15:23 left in the game
a 12-2 run to open the second half, capped by back to back three pointers by Greivis Vasquez and Sean Mosely. Wake has no answer for the Maryland zone defense. The outside shots aren't falling and the guards have not figured an easy to get the ball to the bigs. If Wake doesn't find an answer soon this could be a rout.
8:23pm: Finally!! MD 40 Wake 31
1:57 into the half we the first bucket Adrian Bowie...then another quick basket by Sean Mosely and a five point lead is 9.
8:16pm: Start of the second half
Wake starts with the ball and a terrible off balanced three attempt by Jeff Teague. Maryland's possession sees LD Williams get whistled for a quick hold. A miss by Greivis Vasquez transitions into Wake offense, and a fould on David Neal. Please someone score.
8:00pm: Maryland 36 Wake Forest 31 at the half
Maryland could not have asked for a better half, as the game was played at a snail's pace. Greivis Vasquez leads Maryland with 12 points. In a first half filled with fouls and free throws, Maryland wins the first twenty minutes. According to my Maryland insider Mike who is sitting behind me, "Great first half well played zone defense and limited turnovers, just good solid play." That sums it up for the Terps. Wake has to find a way to get the ball inside early, Maryland cannot match-up with their size. Wake shot just 25.7% inf the first half.
7:59pm: MD 33 Wake 29 44.3 left in the first
8-3 run for Maryland sparked by Greivis Vasquez outside shooting and trips to the free throw line...
7:46pm: Wake 26 MD 26 3:47 left in the first half
If it feels like this half is taking forever, it is because it is. 19 fouls and 11 turnovers between the two teams. Maryland is also 0-7 from three. Maryland had a chance to pull away in this game but have missed what seems like their last 10 shots...but Wake has yet to take advantage picking up charging fouls.
7:35pm: MD 19 WF 19 with 7:19 left in the first half
The Deacons have reclaimed their touch. Al Farouq Aminu leading the charge with four point and an athletic move in the paint, but it was Harvey Hale's three that pulled Wake even. Wake has upped their feild goal percentage to 28%...not bad considering it was 17% less than ten minutes ago.
7:31pm: no score change...
Johnson is leading Wake in scoring with six points but also fouls as he picks up his third before the ten minute mark of the first half.
7:28pm: MD 15 WF 9 11:51 left in the first half
The Terps are spreading the ball around and playing tough interior defense. Wake is shooting 17% in part to Terrapin defense, mostly for poor shots so far. Wake needs to use their athletiscm and get to the hoop.
7:24pm: Terps 14 Deacons 7
The Terps are shooting 50% in the early going and has five different players on the score sheet
7:17pm: Maryland fans like to call fouls...
James Johnson picks up four quick points but two quicker fouls. Wake looks tight early and Maryland like a team that played on this floor and is loose. 8-4 Terps 15:47 to go in the first half. The Maryland fan section is right behind us, they like to help the officials
7:05pm: Tap won by Maryland
But lose possession and Wake gets the first points of the game..from James Johnson..
7:04pm: In honor to our compatriot Tim Hall, the pre-game press meal was Fajitas and they were great.
6:47pm: The lay-up Lines
The Terps and Deacons are getting accustomed to the Georgia Dome, Maryland coming off last night's 74-69 win over NC State might have to make it to Sunday to get into the NCAA tournament but a win over the 8th ranked team in the nation might help their cause. Tonight's game is the first step for Wake Forest on a road that could end up in Detroit. The talented Deacons have at times been great beating Duke and UNC while both were ranked #1 in the nation, but life away from he Joel Coliseum has been difficult, where four of the teams five losses occurred. A young team with a lot of potential against a desperate team looking for a NCAA bid. The point guards are the drivers tonight, Greivis Vasquez is the key for Maryland and the outstanding Jeff Teague for Wake, both can control the game but are also capable of playing out of control. Whichever team gets solid back court play tonight advances to play the winner of Duke/BC tomorrow.
