No They may call this tournament The Big Dance, but if you want to advance, you'd better be prepared for a battle, every game, every round. And that means, when it comes to dancing, no
Tonight, in a second round match-up against the Big East's Louisville, the Terps may not have played their best game, but they played hard enough and well enough to win, 72-68. And this time of year, that's all that matters. They played well enough to survive, they played well enough to advance, and they played well enough to take their place in this year's Sweet Sixteen. Next stop for the Terps . . . the Raleigh Regional. Sweet!
Thanks to a gritty team performance, Maryland Busted Barack's Bracket!
Fortunately, on a night when Alyssa Thomas was struggling, her teammates proved (not for the first time this season) that Maryland's success is not just about one player. The Terps' other special Soph, Laurin Mincy, stepped up BIG, scoring a game-high 24 points. Meanwhile, T-Hawk did what T-Hawk does. Another double-double -- 15 points and a game-high 14 boards. Laurin and T-Hawk really put the team on their backs tonight!
And a shout out to the crowd at Comcast, which was on its feet for the last four minutes or so of the game -- screaming, cheering, and doing everything it could to will the Terps to victory. We've seen great crowds at Comcast before, but never like this. Not even for a Duke game.
And so the Terps and Coach Frese advance to Raleigh, while the Cardinals and Coach Walz return to Louisville . . . no more dancing for them. On Sunday, Maryland will play TBA (the winner of tonight's second round match between defending NCAA Champion Texas A&M and Arkansas).
Go Terps . . . Beat TBA!
posted by BasketCases @ 10:39 PM
15 comments
15 Comments:
Totally agree it was a gritty team performance and that the crowd was amazing. What did you all think about the refs? Our section was none too pleased with many of the calls, though it was a tough, hard fought game on both sides.
And I think it's clear there is no love lost for Jeff Walz in College Park. The guy seriously grates on me.
Man, that was a gray-hair inducing game! Great game - proud of the Terps!
Is it true that the crowd booed Walz during introductions?
Yes, he was booed during the introductions. Unmistakably.
--BC
Yep, gritty team performance! We are 12 strong. Period.
This was a great game for women's basketball. This game had a high level of intensity from the outset. Although I thought the officiating was atrocious for both sides.
The Terps will have to play even better to advance against Texas A and M.
The Hawk was amazing - so many of the players were, but I want to point out that The Hawk stole the ball 6 times! That is awesome. And, what more can be said about Kim's hustle on that ball tie-up with Schimmel. A big-time senior. I don't want this season to end!
What impressed me the most about the Terps is that they made big plays and big shots in the last seven minutes.
I remember how painful the loss to Louisville was a few years back in Raleigh. The Terps could not handle the full-court pressure in that game.
The way this team fought back from a five-point deficit makes me glad. Sending Walz home makes me elated~
I was watching the game on TV and the stands seemed empty. Was it me or did it seem like it was less than 5,000 there?
Great game. Part rugby, part hoops.
Does anybody know the real reason behind the Frese-Walz feud?
I watched from home too, and was also standing and cheering and biting my nails!! I think most of the fans were sitting in the section of stands alongside center court and not behind the baskets which TV showed the most. But you could sure hear them!
What an absolute "fight" on every single play. That was 12 strong. The depth and defense of Maryland saved the day!!
Great job Maryland. And Basketcases!
Maybe I don't understand all of the rules in Basketball (it's been since 6 on 6 that i played) but I thought when play had to be stopped because of an injury, the player had to leave the court. What was it with #31 doubling over in pain, play was stopped, and she gets up and continues to play without leaving the court. Can someone explain that to me? Thanks!
If a team trainer or coach enters the court to check on a player that is injured, that player must exit the game for at least 1 possession....thats why some trainers hesitiate to go check on the player right away to see if they can shake it off and continue.
Basketcases - safe to presume you will be going down to help form a sea of red? I so wish I could go, and after the Terrapin Club sent out the ticket email I checked into flights. Since flights from New York City were $400, I thought I'd see if they get any further and maybe go to Denver instead (if they make it). Anyway, safe travels to my fellow Maryland fans! Let's hope the outcome in Raleigh is a little better than in 2009.
I wish I could go also! Will be rooting from my couch! Tough 2 games to get to the final 4 for sure. Texas AM is tall and can play defense. Not a great shooting team though. Reminds me of GT but with more height. Should be a war just like the Louisville game.
One game at a time.
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