Hawks were painfully slow at the start of this game. Maryland seemed much more motivated and energetic than the Hawks. Dug a deep hole that took the entire first half to quell. Almost the entire team was lackluster and problematic. Jordan was harrassed mightly by the terp freshman point guard. Cordell and Cook were smothered completely inside and lost the ball over and over. Cordell needs to stop forcing the issue when there is no upside. He has to work on his footwork. Perhaps we should stop feeding those who are completely covered inside. The ineffectiveness of the injured Peter Jok, and the rest of the team from the perimeter allowed Maryland to destroy us inside.....
Nonetheless, the Hawks fought back, especially with a lineup that elicited groans throughout HawkeyeLand. Wagner and Baer were men inside. AWag destroyed the terps, rebounding and scoring from the field and the free throw line. Team regained their composure and eventually the lead. Something I thought impossible. I was hoping for a loss under 10 points. Well.....I got my wish but the game was on the line almost to the end.....
When we had the lead late in the game was the exact point that we had to value the ball and not give it away with turnovers or senseless fouls. Not only that we Must identify the scoring threat with the game on the line. I would think Melo would be much more a threat than any of the freshmen starters for the terps; Simply deny Trimble the ball. DO NOT let him receive a pass. If he has the ball guard him tightly. DO NOT leave him wide open for a three. He is too good this year, not overshadowed by the talent the team had last season.....
It is not rocket science.....
Overall I was pleased by the toughness and resiliency the Hawks displayed in the second half. It was a tall task and the Lads were up to it.....Until the final breakdown that gave the game to the terps. This is a problem that acrtual game experience will cure, The manifestation of this team will be evident next season. This season is still in flux and will still be enormously fun to watch. Just have to leave the doomsday attitude behind and enjoy the progress certain to follow after the NW debacle and this loss to the terps. Lot of entertainment coming up. Something to take the sting out of the Winter and the National Climate.....
Look for a rejuvinated Hawkeye Basketball team taking it to the Illini a week away. A desperately needed recovery period. We needed to own home court. Now we desperately need to win one on the road. The Illini and the Scarlet Knights are the best bets on that front.....
Mere idle specutation
