Growing on Us

We think it was sometime during those last 9-plus minutes of the first half when Maryland couldn't buy, beg, borrow or steal a basket -- going something like O-fer a zillion from the field -- that we really started to feel it . . . we were falling for this team. Screaming "D-fense" . . . yelling "Let's GOooooo Maryland" until our throats were getting hoarse. We were growing emotionally invested.

Those two exhibitions and the easy home opener were kinda like first dates. Everybody on their best behavior, but nobody really knowing the other party very well. Tonight was different. Tonight the relationship moved to a new level. We began to see the young Maryland team and its individual players for better or for worse. Warts and all. They thrilled us with some "wows" and they made us cringe with plenty of "aarghhs." But we left Comcast really caring about this team, really caring about these kids. We admit it, we left feeling hooked by this youth movement. We know we may be in for a roller coaster ride this season but we're prepared to tighten our seatbelts and enjoy whatever thrills and spills may lie ahead.

This evening at Comcast, the Terps knocked off their second opponent of the regular season, the University of New Hampshire, 63-43. We're hard pressed to remember the last time a Terps team scored only 63 points and won! But thanks to a defensive effort that kept Maryland in the game during that seemingly interminable first half offensive drought, the Terps took a small lead into the locker room and pulled away in the second half. It wasn't pretty. However, aided by a 58-rebound night and forcing 21 turnovers, Maryland overcame 19% FG shooting in the first half to keep the program's home win streak alive.

Three Terps posted double figures, with Diandra finishing with a game-high 17 points. Lynetta had 11 and Dara 10. Tianna led the way in the rebounding department, grabbing a game-high 15 boards.

The Terps' next opponent, Old Dominion University, is coming to town on Thursday (7 PM) and should provide the first real test of the new-look Terps, who will need a better and more consistent performance if they want to beat Coach Wendy Larry's perennial NCAA tournament team. So it should be an important and exciting game. Don't miss it.

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By the way, if (like the BCs) you did already miss the 2nd episode of Under the Shell, it's being rebroadcast on Comcast SportsNet tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 PM.