Fridge Deserves Praise

There will always be times where we wish the head coach would have done something different or recruited a better player or made a better call, but I thought it was time for a little perspective.   After reading the followin column in the Baltimore Sun, I could not agree more with it:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/lifeofkings/2008/11/in_friedgen_you_should_trust.html

 

Can Maryland football be a national power?    I tend to agree with the column, but there is no reason we can’t be a perennial bowl team who can put together a special season once in a while.

We’ll see what we all think one week from today!

November 17, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , . Author: Gregg . Comments: 8 Comments

Terps vs. Tar Heels Thread

After an encouraging hoops opener (to everyone but Al V), it’s time for the football team to follow suit.  Ah, which team will we see today?  Let’s hope that number by North Carolina’s name as well as all the ESPN ‘experts’ picking the Heels gets our guys going.

This will be a simple gameplan.  It’s all up to both lines. Our offensive line must have a bounce-back game and we NEED to run the ball.  We have running backs who can get it done, it’s up to the line to hit some people and wear them down.

The D line doesn’t need to turn in a game like Wake Forest (though it would be nice), they just need to contain the runners and get some pressure on the passer.  We all know Chris Cosh is not going to blitz that much, which leaves it all to the line to make some plays.

I’d also love to see Portis out there again.  Though he wasn’t always effective, it’s still a different look and we need to keep that UNC defense off balance.

Today’s game is the difference between a New Year’s bowl and spending the holidays on the blue turf in Idaho.  Let’s get it done.

November 15, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , , . Author: Gregg . Comments: 36 Comments

Terps vs Bucknell Thread

Hey folks! Welcome to the 2008-09 basketball season.  Tipoff could not come at a worse time for me(7pm CT on a Friday???).  As you all know, I’m Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic-LESS; so I will only get to watch this if I can convince my wife that cowering over a computer watching my slingbox’s grainy video is the best way to spend a Friday night.

I’ll try my best at running commentary, but no promises.  I trust that there will be pleny of commentary underneath this thread to satisy your needs to commiserate.

My prediction?  Call me crazy, but I feel a blowout.  I think the athletes of Maryland put on a show.  This won’t prove we are better than people think; but it will open up the possibility.  Terps by 25-30 points.

 

900PM CT

Do I know this team or what?  The Terps won by 29 points– right within my predicted range.  I decided not to keep a running log of the game.  I thought it was way too pathetic to actively blog about a game I was wantching on the CBS Gametracker.  Even I have my limits. 

After starting 3-17; the terps finished 27-53 or just over 50%.  Cliff Tucker, Landon Milbourne led the way offensively and the Terps limited their total turnovers to 11.  By way of contrast; last season’s Terp squad opened up against N. Florida and they committed more than 20 turnovers.  Bucknell is better than N. Florida. 

Looking at the box score; I’m concerned that took the Terps 35 minutes of game time before they got the edge in rebounding.  Methinks the Terps will struggle all year with the glass but hopefully steals and forcing turnovers will keep the number of shots even against better opponents. 

All four guards (GV, EH, SM, and AB) notched at least 3 assists with Vasquez leading the way with 6.  

Only Milbourne and Vasquez played more than 20 minutes while a total of 11 Terps played at least 10 minutes.  I think this will be Gary’s plan all year.  The Terps will try to wear opponents down by throwing 11 athletes at them. 

The Terps are much different than last year. Look for them to get stronger as the game wears on as opposed to fading down the stretch. 

As far as debuts go; that was as good as Terp fan could hope for.  Now let’s see the football team take to the Tarheels tomorrow.

November 14, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 39 Comments

Pre-Season Poll

With the season starting tomorrow; I want to see how good Turtle Soup readers are at predicting the Terps final win total for the 2008-09 regular season.  I’m looking forward to revisiting this in March.  Please weigh in with your thoughts.

November 13, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 27 Comments

Maryland Rolls Over Northwood in Tune Up

The score was 104-60 and it was over before it started.  The Terps didn’t have the services of arguably their top two players (Greivis Vasquez and Sean Mosley); yet domintated throughout.

I missed the game; but clearly the Terps are not going to lead the NCAA in frontcourt scoring.  The bigs didn’t give us much offensively, but if the skill players can shoot like this night in and night out; we will be fine.

Jin Soo Kim can fill it up.  I realize that we are talking about inadequate competition but buckets are buckets.  He started slow and caught fire.  I don’t know about you but I think the Terps can use a steaky shooter or two.

The most remarkable aspect about the game was the balance.  The Terps got 15+ points from five different players.  They shared the ball well- dishing out 18 assists.

Perhaps the prettiest stat of all? Only 11 turnovers.

Maryland did not play well against inferior competition at any point last season.  We should beat a team like Northwood by 44 points and we did.

I declare tonight’s game a success and remain cautiously optimistic about the season.

November 9, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 64 Comments

Best Halloween Costume

Despite bordering on child abuse; this has to be the funniest Halloween costume ever. I feel a kinship to Coach Mangino as he and Coach Friedgen are running neck and neck (or is turkey-neck and turkey-neck?) for most unhealthy Coach in all of sports.

20081105babymangino

November 7, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 14 Comments

DBR update 11/7/2008

The Terps definitely laid an egg last night. Cosh has to go. He’s going against a QB with a bum ankle and he doesn’t blitz? What is wrong with him? Force the QB to beat for chissake!

The Terps still control their own destiny. If they can take care of business at home, they should go to a nice bowl. As for the basketball team, w’ll get our first chance to see them this weekend against Rollie Massimino’s team. Let’s hope for less than 10 turnovers.

From DBR:

There’s been some postings here about possible transfers and certainly, attrition is always possible in the spring, but it would appear that if that happens, the Terps would likely save any ‘ships for the Class of 2010. The majority of players in the 2009 class will sign between 11/12 and 11/19. Any other 4-star or 5-star guys unsigned after that most likely have off court issues, academic issues, or are thinking about playing overseas.
If everyone returns for next season we should expect David Pearman to return to “walk-on” status. So for now the focus of recruitment will be on the all important 2010 class, and set up for the classes of 2011 (with Burney, Dupree, Gregory, Bowie , and Tucker ALL scheduled to leave in three years that will be a huge class for UMD) and 2012.
As far as recruit visits, Will Regan visits next weekend, for the Bucknell game, and then the UNC football game. UMD was one of the first schools to offer Regan but Arizona State, Michigan, and Stanford have been pushing hard. The Terps will need to show lots of love on the visit in order to stay in the mix. Regan is a versatile 6-8+ big man, with inside/outside skills and is equally terrific in the classroom.
Terps and Fighting Irish seem to lead for Taran Buie. Pitt and Terps appear to lead for Epps. Roscoe Smith is still waiting for an offer from UNC and should pop to them when he gets it.
Former Terps recruit, and son of John Lucas, Jai Lucas transferred from Florida. Since we have three players that can play the point on the team right now, I don’t expect the Terps to show interest (and we don’t have any ‘ships available at this time). Frankly, I expect Lucas to either wind up at Rice, Houston, or Oklahoma State.
For tomorrow’s exhibition game we could see the following starting five: PG- Hayes, SG- Vasquez, SF- Mosley, PF- Milbourne, C- Dupree. Bowie, Gregory and Burney off the bench. Mosley rolled his ankle in practice and if it’s a problem either Tucker or Bowie would start.

November 7, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 11 Comments

Terps vs. Hokies Game Thread

It’s been a nice week of basketball talk here on the Soup, and I must say I’ve got some cautious optimism for the upcoming season.  Like most years, I expect the team to get better as the season goes on when roles are determined and we find out whether Vazquez has decided to be generous to our opponents once again.

But with our first exhibition game two days away, we have a more pressing game to worry about tonight.  The Terps head into enemy territory to face a team they have yet to beat.  This will not be an easy game, but because it has the feel of a big time game against a big time opponent, I’m confident the Terps will come out and play well.  Then again, I expected the Redskins to play well on Monday, so who the hell knows?!

The key for Maryland is simple.  Protect the ball.  We all remember the Thursday night games in the past against Va. Tech and WVU where we fumbled kickoffs and threw horrible interceptions.  Things will not always go our way, but the team must fight through the adversity that is likely to occur and do what they do best.  Run the ball and get it to Heyward-Bey.  There is no excuse not to get our best playmakers the ball tonight.  Those are the guys who will get it done. 

The defense is banged up and while the Hokies offense is not the juggernaut they have been in the past, the defense has to make some plays.  It doesn’t really matter who will play QB for Tech.  Whichever guy they go with will not be 100%.  If our front 4 can get a pass rush, we’ll be in great shape, but it makes sense to…. listening Chris Cosh…. BLITZ!!!   Not all the time, but enough to get some pressure.

In all but one of our wins (Clemson), the Terps scored early in the game to take a lead.  This would be huge tonight to not only take the crowd out of the game, but to give the team some confidence. 

Folks, I have no idea what to expect tonight.  I can see us win a close game or get blown out.  Let’s hope we can get Da’Rel Scott on the field, as the running game is probably the most important thing we need to have right in order to win.

Let the game begin.

November 6, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , . Author: Gregg . Comments: 46 Comments

2008-09 Basketball Preview Part II

Before I make my feeble attempt to predict the Terps’ record; I’d be remiss if I didn’t make mention of something I neglected to mention in Part I of my preview. PC was right to point out in a comment made in that post that Maryland must cut down on turnovers.

This is absolutely crucial. I didn’t mention it; because it is almost too obvious to mention. It is the elephant in the room hanging over the entire season. The Terps ruined a guaranteed Tournament berth because they could not limit their careless play. Maryland must limit the number of turnovers per game to under 15 in order to have a chance to win. Preferably, they commit less than 12 per game.

The Terps will not beat an upper division ACC opponent while committing more than 15 turnovers. It won’t happen. Too many times, the Terps tallied 20 turnovers or more-and in most of those instances , Maryland lost. This year, in games they limit turnovers to 12 or less; I suspect the Terps winning percentage will be in 90%+ range.

Eric Hayes did a surprisingly good job of taking care of the rock last year. If you don’t believe me, look up his assist to turnover ratio. He actually led the team in A/T ratio with 1.9/1; although the fact that no player had a ratio better than 2/1 is an embarrassment. Great PGs should be in the 2.5/1 range or above. (UNC’s Ty Lawson was 2.4/1).

Watch the turnover situation closely in the early going. If Vasquez starts giving the ball away; Gary will move Hayes over to PG permanently.

So how do I see the season unfolding?

The Gimmies (8 wins):

Bucknell, Youngstown State, Vermont, Delaware State, American U, Bryant (huh?), Elon, Morgan State.

If the Terps lose any of these games; we are, in a word, fucked.

Old Spice Classic (1 win, 2 loss)

#7 Michigan State, Ok St/#11 Gonzaga, Opponent TBD

Look, the Terps aren’t going to win the Old Spice Classic. They will be expected to escape with a win. I’m tempted to pencil them in for two wins because I think it is guaranteed that either Gonzaga or Michigan State is overrated. I think MD will have the best athletes on the floor in both of those games.

In case you are curious, the other potential opponents for the Terps are Wichita State, Siena, Tennessee, and Georgetown. (How sweet would a win over Georgetown in the finals be? Where would that rank on a scale of 1 -10? a 15?)

Other Non-Conference Tests (3 wins)

Michigan (home), George Washington (neutral), Charlotte (home)

Michigan sucks. We beat Charlotte on the road last year, and damnit, I’m sick of losing to GW every year. They aren’t good. We should win by 15 points, and frankly, Maryland fans deserve a win in this “rivalry” that is inexplicably competitive.

So headed in to the ACC schedule, I’ve got the Terps sitting at 12-2. Seems plausible, right? Things seem to be setting up nicely for the conference schedule.

ACC Season (10 wins)

Home Wins: Georgia Tech, Viginia, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest

Home Losses: UNC, Miami

Road Wins: Florida St, Georgia Tech, Clemson (revenge!), NC State

Road Losses: Miami, Duke, UNC, Virginia

I think the ACC is relatively weak this year. Aside from Duke and UNC, no one else scares me. Some of my predicted highlights:

-Maryland wins the Gus Gilchrist Classic vs. Va Tech.

-I can’t envision our big guys competing with Hansborough, so UNC will sweep.

-I hate Duke too much to ever concede a sweep. We get a win at home and Jon Scheyer makes a funny face during the game (who am I kidding? That’s every game).

-Miami is like kryptonite to Maryland so they get us twice.

-Clemson will get beat simply because the Terps have it circled on the schedule, and the entire fan base needs a catharsis.

-We can’t beat UVA on the road. I don’t know why.

-BC, NC State, and Ga Tech suck.

According to my count, the Terps will finish the season 22-8 (10-6) in the regular season. That’s good enough for a #3 seed in the conference and a #5 seed in the Big Dance. Yes, in perhaps his greatest coaching job ever, Gary Williams gets it done and proves the doubters wrong.

I’m Jeremy Gold and I approved this message.

November 4, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 51 Comments

Jin Soo Kim Declared Eligible by NCAA Clearinghouse!

The headline says it all folks: Here’s the press release:

KIM RULED ELIGIBLE BY NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

Freshman earns clearance from NCAA

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The NCAA Clearinghouse has ruled Jin Soo Kim eligible for the 2008-09 men’s basketball season, head coach Gary Williams announced Monday.

The 6-foot-8 freshman forward from South Kent, Conn., will begin practice with the team on Wednesday.

““The Maryland basketball team is very happy for Jin Soo,” said Williams.

Doug Dull
Associate A.D.-Media Relations
University of Maryland

November 3, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , . Author: Jeremy . Comments: 25 Comments

Previous page