2008 Woodie Awards
A catastrophic collapse
Andrew Zuckerman
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
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But when it was all said and done, it turned into a night that both will quickly want to forget. Of Gist's 70 games at Comcast Center, last night's 73-70 loss was unlike any other he had experienced. And Osby has been fighting an illness, but this, he said, is a game that will make him lose sleep.
Up 20 points with 10:53 remaining, the Terps choked.
Clemson ended the game on a 34-11 run, which included an improbable game-winning 3-pointer by Terrence Oglesby with 2.3 seconds left. For the Terps, it was an unthinkable meltdown, and a loss that will likely cost them a first-round ACC Tournament bye and quite possibly an NCAA Tournament bid.
"It's hard to take anything positive from this," Gist said. "Every player in this locker room has to feel hurt from this. We have to realize that we can't give games away, especially now."
This wasn't just any loss. This was as heartbreaking as they come.
The Terps (18-12, 8-7 ACC) have blown big second-half leads before, but nothing like this. They had Clemson (21-7, 9-5) backed into a corner and had a chance to cruise to what would have been an impressive win over a team with a top-50 Ratings Percentage Index ranking.
"We just relaxed," sophomore guard Greivis Vasquez said.
The Tigers revved up the defensive pressure, and the Terps did not execute their offense. Leading 68-55 with 4:31 left, the Terps were outscored 18-2 the rest of the way.
Even as a stunned Comcast Center crowd watched Clemson slowly complete its comeback, the Terps still had a chance at the end. They had the ball in a tie game with 45.4 seconds left, but Vasquez's driving layup attempt was too hard and clanked off the rim.
On the other end, Clemson looked to go down low, but when nothing was open, the Tigers went to Oglesby. The Clemson guard took the ball and drilled an off-balance 3-pointer over Landon Milbourne from the right side of the court in between the baseline and the top of the key.
"Good players take the shots at the end," Oglesby said. "And I'm not calling myself a great player by any means, but that's what I'm trying to be. You've got to have a certain amount of guts in order to take that shot, and I was ready for it."
The Terps didn't do themselves any favors. Along with blowing the 20-point lead, they only made 2-of-15 3-pointers and 12-of-21 free throws. The Terps also turned the ball over 21 times and only forced three turnovers in the second half.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 21
EmeryR
Emery Rudolph
posted 3/03/08 @ 7:40 AM EST
Wow - Wow - Wow.
Not much to be said about what happened last night. Very, Very symptomatic of the entire season and really says a lot about the mentality of playing from the lead. (Continued…)
Jerry
posted 3/03/08 @ 8:03 AM EST
It amazes me that anyone can continue to talk about what the Terps need to do now to get into the NCAA Tournament. Are you kidding me? If you were a fan of another deserving program and saw Maryland given even an ounce of consideration, you'd go absolutely ballistic. (Continued…)
Resigned Son of Testudo
posted 3/03/08 @ 9:35 AM EST
We all feelin' the pain today I imagine. . . except, when you are down 20 points with 10 min to go on the other team's floor, the Clemson Tigers do not quit . (Continued…)
Bob
posted 3/03/08 @ 1:46 PM EST
What that VT player did last week was nothing compared to the furball the Terps coughed up last night.
Coop
posted 3/03/08 @ 4:56 PM EST
The Terps have too much talent to play so erratically all year. Two years in a row. This is a coaching problem. No, I am not calling for Gary to move on, but he has to find a way to motivate his team to perform more consistently. (Continued…)
MemphisTerp
Jason Middlekauff
posted 3/03/08 @ 6:25 PM EST
As a fan it's cathartic to vent after a collapse like last night's game, but there are still games to be played. With other bubble teams backsliding over the weekend, the Terps still have a shot. (Continued…)
Rodger Mudd
posted 3/04/08 @ 12:59 PM EST
There was no joy in Muddville cuz mighty Casey struck out.
Les
posted 3/06/08 @ 2:14 PM EST
The problem is Vasquez' poor choice of shots. It is team game not for a ballhog. Williams should bench Vasquez and use players that look for the open man or take it if absolutly no one is open. (Continued…)
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