Three Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball conference opening loss to No. 19 Rutgers
(Photograph Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Playing at dwelling house is not what it used to be. Just ask Maryland basketball. In an empty Xfinity Center, the Blood-red Knights had their way with Maryland and information technology seemed similar the visitors were boasting domicile court advantage.
Spurred by a dominant 27-signal functioning by Ron Harper Jr, Rutgers (5-0, 1-0 B1G) was able to dispatch the Terps (4-2, 0-1 B1G) with ease, handing them their second direct loss and first home loss of the season. The Carmine Knights were victorious on a 74-lx scoreline.
"They were even amend tonight than I idea," head charabanc Mark Turgeon said. "They're actually talented. They're having fun out there."
Here are my 3 takeaways from Mon's loss against Rutgers.
Maryland's defence looks a lot better simply information technology's not quite where it should be
Last contest, Clemson imposed its will on criminal offence and Maryland gave up almost 40 first half points. This time effectually, Maryland looked much better on defense force, admitting briefly. Rutgers exposed Maryland's porous frontcourt defense early and information technology allowed the visitors to put distance betwixt the ii. The Scarlet Knights were able to stretch their lead to viii points before the Terps regained control through their defence force. 3-2 zone sets and full court pressure weakened the Reddish Knights attack and the Terps eight-point arrears apace turned into a one-point advantage entering halftime.
This first half sequence featured a Terp defense that translated missed shots and turnovers into easy fast suspension points. Maryland's defense was able to generate a 15-4 run to close out the half. However, its fortunes on defense force did not carry into the final catamenia.
"Our zone worked for us in the first half," Turgeon said, "And in the 2nd one-half Harper just said 'I'one thousand gonna take over the game.'"
Harper squashed whatever hopes Maryland had of maintaining a lead. In the second half, the inferior frontward scored 19 points in 18 minutes all while shooting over 50% from the field and behind the arc. Maryland's promising defense was nowhere to be institute in the second half and Rutgers' lead quickly became insurmountable. With a full xl minutes of defence, it's likely the Terps' chances would be better, simply even then, it'due south unlikely Maryland would accept had an respond for Harper.
Maryland needs more than from the demote.
For the majority of the game, Hakim Hart had the but point off the bench for Maryland. Hart's single complimentary throw saucepan lasted up to the 12-minute mark of the second half when Jairus Hamilton hit his kickoff three. At the final buzzer, the Terps totaled a measly nine points off the bench. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights notched 25 demote points, all from Geo Bakery and Myles Johnson. Issues of the by take certainly defenseless up to Maryland. Depth was a huge concern throughout the 2019-20 season and remains a concern today. The Terps possess a breadth of brand new talent on the roster and face a tough schedule alee, perhaps it'south fourth dimension to develop this bench further and come across what the future has in shop.
Aaron Wiggins is proficient but he has to be improve.
Aaron Wiggins is quite maybe the about talented role player for Maryland at his all-time. His ability to score at all iii levels along with the considerable length he provides on defense makes him a complete basketball game actor and a standout athlete.
Notwithstanding, his services on offense have been sorely missed. For the majority of the season thus far, Wiggins has played a passive function on the Terps offense. Just the junior fly brought a mixed effort this contest, filling upwardly the stat canvas modestly with a spread of six points, seven rebounds and iii assists.
Even so, more than is ever better. This flavour, Eric Ayala, Donta Scott, and Darryl Morsell have all enjoyed significant improvements on crime while Wiggins withal has yet to make any major improvements from his sophomore season, averaging generally the aforementioned numbers beyond the board. Although this year's mantra for the Terps has been 'scoring by committee,' the reigning sixth human of the yr has to bring more offensively to brand Maryland a truthful threat.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/three-takeaways-from-maryland-mens-basketball-conference-opening-loss-to-no-19-rutgers/
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