When the Mississippi State Bulldogs started the championship game of the Terrapin Classic this afternoon, they were one of only 8 undefeated teams in the country. But thanks to Maryland, that number won't be more than 7 by the end of today. The Terps began this afternoon's game much as they had left off yesterday, playing good, solid, team basketball, and were comfortably ahead at the break, 43-28. In the second half, however, the Terps' offense sputtered and stalled, and the Bulldogs clawed back to within single digits. However, Maryland managed to hang on for the victory, 80-73.
Kristi Toliver, perhaps making up for missing yesterday's game, played all of this one. She also posted a team-high 24 points, and dished out 8 assists. As they did yesterday, Dee Liles and Marah Strickland turned in impressive performances, each scoring 16 points. Dee (whose athleticism just continues to amaze us) and Big Strick were the only Terps named to the All-Tournament team, and Dee also came away with the MVP trophy. Congrats to both of them!
And congrats also to the Wheaton Dance Twirl Team, the fantastic baton twirling team who performed at halftime today. They'll be heading to Europe soon to represent the USA in the World Championships. They really were remarkable; it takes a lot to make the BasketCases stay in our seats during the break, but these talented young women had us glued to our chairs. (Memo to the Mystics Front Office: book them for next season!)
The Terps now have three days off to enjoy New Year's before they travel to the capital of the Confederacy on Saturday to take on the Richmond Spiders at 3 PM. We'll be making that trip too, as will many other Maryland fans, so be sure to check back here later that night for our in-person report. In the meantime, don't forget to have some champagne chillin' in your fridge for tomorrow night!
posted by BasketCases @ 6:53 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
So why the hell did Frese play Coleman for only 16 flippin' minutes?!? Was she injured? 'Cause if not, that's flippin ludicrous!
I was so impressed with Dee Lyles at the Missippi game! Wow! Especially right after I said out loud, "Hmmph, there's a rebound Harper would have gotten..." then Dee turned around, wiped the board and scored. It was fun watching her play.
I was also glad to see Strick. Did you guys ever find out what was going on with the rumor she was transferring?
Great seeing Marah with the team and playing with, what seems like, a renewed passion (although she always hustles on the court). Good to see the bench getting good minutes. They will need that depth to compete. Sade' already seems to be getting more confident and Drey needs as much time as she can get to improve her skills and confidence. She will also be important to the Terps success. What can you say about Dee? Too bad we only get her for two years!
Dee going off to JuCo was probably a blessing in disguise. She did not have to share any minutes with anyone (as she would have with Lang and Harp). More importantly, she learned to play great help-side defense!!! (I wish Brenda and staff would value this and demand this of all our players.)
Yes, Dee can jump out of the gym and is capable of blocking shot of player she is guarding... but more impressive to this old coach is the help-side blocked shots.
I was sorry to see brenda's comment regarding rissa in the post. she shouldn't dis her in the press like that.
Brenda is showing her true classless side, thank goodness I never drank the Frese koolaid. She's still miles from being on the elite coaching level.
What comment did Coach make in the Post about Marissa? I can't find the article online at the Post. Thanks.
Marissa did look totally uninspired during the few minutes she was in the game. And Dee Liles was just amazing. I loved her weak side rebounding and diving for the loose balls!! All the work that usually goes unnoticed. And I liked the fact that she seemed surprised at winning the tourney MVP. Coach just told the Post that Marissa didn't have it, which was the truth, and I'm sure something was said to Marissa too.
The Coach's job is to put the best team on the floor at ALL times and be a coach first not a friend. If Marrissa was not into the game enough and other players were stepping up then she should ride the pine its that simple. Maybe it will wake her up like it did Tolliver and make her more hungry come ACC play time.
What exactly is classless about Coach Frese's comments in the Post? Are you assuming that she said something that "hung Marissa out to dry?" I doubt her public comments were different from what she said to Marissa and anyone watching the game could've reached the same conclusion.
Below is the quote from the Post.
I don't think this is a classless statement. It was a true statement and likely an answer to a question from the media about why Marrisa didn't play but a few minutes in the 2nd half.I sit directly behind the Terps bench and after Coach B subbed MC out she was also giving her an earfullfor not playing to her potential. So, hopefully, MC will play some inspired ball from now on, because we need her.
...senior Marissa Coleman (season-low four points), who sat on the bench for the final 16 minutes because Frese "just thought Marissa was kind of uninspired this game."
Thanks for the quote. No biggie, just a fact, not disrespectful. I'm a big Marissa fan and she definitely needs a kick in the butt from coach sometimes to play to her full potential. I remember the National Championship game where coach met her on the court during a time out and got in her face, very animated. She came back in and played like a different player, the great player that she can be, which they needed to win it all. Go Marissa, Go TERPS!
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