As much as Smith struggled against Minnesota, he was that good tonight. His early threes were critical, and he continued to make plays all game long. But getting off to a fast start was mostly Smith. Maryland did follow the Minnesota blueprint by doubling Dickerson hard. In terms of keeping Dickinson in check it worked, but it was a gamble that we wouldn't hit our threes because we would be open. Bad gamble tonight. We played inside out and had open shots all night.
When Livers is hitting threes, the game seems easy. When a team gives him enough time to autograph the ball before he shoots, they usually pay. His makes don't touch the rim. It's aesthetically pleasing. He also made some nice cuts to the basket. Those will also be there when you're draining perimeter shots. One thing I notice with Smith is that his baseline drives are killer. When he drives the lane, he can get cut off by help, and Maryland was doing a good job rotating. He'll get stuffed on occasion. Driving baseline always seems to open up a cutter or the opposite corner.
I liked how passing out of the double teams or on penetration we moved the ball with pace to go from a good look to a wide open look. Of course, it really helps when you have several shooters knocking them down. Truth is that we win comfortably by 12-15 points on an average shooting night.
Franz was Franz. His defense was superb. His three to end the half might have been the key make of the game. He's been expanding his game and making a few nice assists every game. He can play back to the basket, high ball screens, spot up shooting, is an excellent free throw shooter and an energy guy.
Chaundee is such a luxury. His strength and mobility allow him to switch and guard anyone 1-4 on a team like Maryland. And he's money on the corner threes especially. Johns off the bench tonight was more assertive. He put his head down and drove it, worked back to the basket, made a three. He made a difference. Consistency from game to game is what he needs.
Zeb played in the first half when the game was still in doubt. Juwan is using him in small doses, but it made me nervous to see him come in when we were playing well and starting to stretch the lead. But we kept the lead, and he had a really nice assist to Davis. Davis was so tough inside. Maryland doesn't have a physical big so Austin was able to get where he wanted to, and has some moves and footwork to finish.
Eli didn't score much, but you better believe that he completes this team. He's a steadying influence who guards their best guard, taking some pressure off Smith. He'll knock down a three, make his free throws, rarely force anything. He does what we need when we need it. No sign of the injury.
Haven't even looked at the minutes played, but itv seemed that Juwan did a lot of subbing and tried a bunch of combinations without any let up in our play. Dickinson having these low scoring games when teams are focusing on him is a good thing. He wasn't going to sail thru the season at 20ppg. He'll learn how to counter the doubles, where the ball needs to go. He'll eliminate the bad decisions, of which he had a few in this game.
@Purdue next after the just beat OSU. Huge game for both teams. We needed to re-establish ourselves going into that game. Obviously, we did that.
When Livers is hitting threes, the game seems easy. When a team gives him enough time to autograph the ball before he shoots, they usually pay. His makes don't touch the rim. It's aesthetically pleasing. He also made some nice cuts to the basket. Those will also be there when you're draining perimeter shots. One thing I notice with Smith is that his baseline drives are killer. When he drives the lane, he can get cut off by help, and Maryland was doing a good job rotating. He'll get stuffed on occasion. Driving baseline always seems to open up a cutter or the opposite corner.
I liked how passing out of the double teams or on penetration we moved the ball with pace to go from a good look to a wide open look. Of course, it really helps when you have several shooters knocking them down. Truth is that we win comfortably by 12-15 points on an average shooting night.
Franz was Franz. His defense was superb. His three to end the half might have been the key make of the game. He's been expanding his game and making a few nice assists every game. He can play back to the basket, high ball screens, spot up shooting, is an excellent free throw shooter and an energy guy.
Chaundee is such a luxury. His strength and mobility allow him to switch and guard anyone 1-4 on a team like Maryland. And he's money on the corner threes especially. Johns off the bench tonight was more assertive. He put his head down and drove it, worked back to the basket, made a three. He made a difference. Consistency from game to game is what he needs.
Zeb played in the first half when the game was still in doubt. Juwan is using him in small doses, but it made me nervous to see him come in when we were playing well and starting to stretch the lead. But we kept the lead, and he had a really nice assist to Davis. Davis was so tough inside. Maryland doesn't have a physical big so Austin was able to get where he wanted to, and has some moves and footwork to finish.
Eli didn't score much, but you better believe that he completes this team. He's a steadying influence who guards their best guard, taking some pressure off Smith. He'll knock down a three, make his free throws, rarely force anything. He does what we need when we need it. No sign of the injury.
Haven't even looked at the minutes played, but itv seemed that Juwan did a lot of subbing and tried a bunch of combinations without any let up in our play. Dickinson having these low scoring games when teams are focusing on him is a good thing. He wasn't going to sail thru the season at 20ppg. He'll learn how to counter the doubles, where the ball needs to go. He'll eliminate the bad decisions, of which he had a few in this game.
@Purdue next after the just beat OSU. Huge game for both teams. We needed to re-establish ourselves going into that game. Obviously, we did that.
Last edited:
