2008 Woodie Awards
Columnist Mark Selig: Tourney hopes fade
Mark Selig
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Sports
Gary Williams addressed the media with a hoarse voice and a weathered look that made the coach look like he had just run a marathon. The Terrapin players softly responded to postgame inquisitions with the mood of somebody whose best friend had just passed away.
It's difficult to imagine that less than an hour before all this, the Terps had a 20-point second-half lead over the Clemson Tigers and were putting the stamp on their resumé that would almost ensure them a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
A feisty Clemson freshman ruined the Terps' senior night with a game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds. And Tigers guard Terrence Oglesby's shot may have opened the door for one more game at Comcast Center for James Gist, Bambale Osby and Jason McAlpin. Unfortunately for them, that would mean the NIT.
The Terps still have one more regular-season game and the ACC Tournament to prove they belong with the 64 other top teams from across the country, but last night's loss is indicative that they don't right now.
For the second time in as many weeks, the Terps relinquished a huge second-half lead on their home court. The most recent implosion trumps the previous one - a double-digit advantage which turned into a loss against Virginia Tech.
"I was like, 'No, not again,'" guard Adrian Bowie said. "We were up the whole game basically, and all of a sudden, it just turned around."
Bowie and the rest of the reserves finally provided a big boost for the Terps, who had previously relied on the starting unit for just about all of the production. But Bowie could only watch with a helpless feeling from the sideline as Clemson whittled a 20-point deficit into a tie, and a tie game into an unexpected win.
After tough losses, the Terps continually said they have to put it behind them and build on it, but this season we've seen more déjà vu than we have progression.
Give Clemson all the credit in the world for not hanging their heads and accepting defeat on a night when they didn't seem to have the ammunition to win. But blame the Terps for allowing the staggering comeback in front of a charged home crowd willing to send the seniors off on a positive note.
It's difficult to imagine that less than an hour before all this, the Terps had a 20-point second-half lead over the Clemson Tigers and were putting the stamp on their resumé that would almost ensure them a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
A feisty Clemson freshman ruined the Terps' senior night with a game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds. And Tigers guard Terrence Oglesby's shot may have opened the door for one more game at Comcast Center for James Gist, Bambale Osby and Jason McAlpin. Unfortunately for them, that would mean the NIT.
The Terps still have one more regular-season game and the ACC Tournament to prove they belong with the 64 other top teams from across the country, but last night's loss is indicative that they don't right now.
For the second time in as many weeks, the Terps relinquished a huge second-half lead on their home court. The most recent implosion trumps the previous one - a double-digit advantage which turned into a loss against Virginia Tech.
"I was like, 'No, not again,'" guard Adrian Bowie said. "We were up the whole game basically, and all of a sudden, it just turned around."
Bowie and the rest of the reserves finally provided a big boost for the Terps, who had previously relied on the starting unit for just about all of the production. But Bowie could only watch with a helpless feeling from the sideline as Clemson whittled a 20-point deficit into a tie, and a tie game into an unexpected win.
After tough losses, the Terps continually said they have to put it behind them and build on it, but this season we've seen more déjà vu than we have progression.
Give Clemson all the credit in the world for not hanging their heads and accepting defeat on a night when they didn't seem to have the ammunition to win. But blame the Terps for allowing the staggering comeback in front of a charged home crowd willing to send the seniors off on a positive note.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
PeopleWillTalk
posted 3/03/08 @ 6:17 AM EST
Well with some 11.50 to go things looked funny. Then not so funny. No need to rehash. Terps they said had a hard time letting the clock run and still manage a big lead. (Continued…)
Mike H.
posted 3/03/08 @ 7:12 AM EST
Actually, the infamous Duke implosion occurred in the Final 4 season (2001 and actually might have even been the year before that), and we went on to blow a huge 20+ lead to Duke in the Final 4. (Continued…)
PopularityContest
posted 3/03/08 @ 7:18 AM EST
You're right Mike. U picked the right implosion. Yeah, your implosion was much better than last nights. yeah who knows how to lose to Duke in one minute. (Continued…)
Jerry
posted 3/03/08 @ 8:30 AM EST
Hard to know which collapse was worse -- last night's or the 2 loss to Duke after being up by 10 with only 54 ticks to go, and the loss to Duke after being up by 22 in the Final Four. (Continued…)
Christine
posted 3/03/08 @ 8:52 AM EST
7 seconds left on the shot clock, Vasquez runs to the basket and throws up a ridiculous shot and misses. That is not smart basketball. That is not the shot that we wanted. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 3/03/08 @ 9:27 AM EST
www.firegarywilliams.com
good coaches don't let their teams blow 20 point leads. And back to back home games with double digit leads.
Unfortunately Gary will never be fired so get used to these 16-21 win seasons. (Continued…)
Jack
posted 3/03/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
After last night's HORRIBLE loss, the worst in years, largely a result of BEYOND TERRIBLE coaching, I feel it is necessary to recall an article published last year:
"I am a die-hard Terrapin basketball fan. (Continued…)
ADifferentMike
posted 3/03/08 @ 10:28 AM EST
The Duke collapse didn't keep us out of the tourney because it was early in the conference season, and we had time to swoon for a few games (ending with embarrassing home loss to Florida St) and then get hot. (Continued…)
Garyland
posted 3/03/08 @ 12:12 PM EST
Fire Gary Williams??? LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO
Sure its really easy to fire the greatest coach in the history of the Univ of MD,a top 5 ACC coach of all time, a hall of fame coach and a true fighter for the program and more important, an ALUMNI. (Continued…)
Soheil
posted 3/03/08 @ 1:45 PM EST
Overachieved? For real? Did you say that with a straight face? Home loss to American? Home loss to Ohio? Swept by VA TECH? Swept by Duke? Critical loss to Clemson at HOME? Overachieved? Interesting, must mean your expectations are REALLY low. (Continued…)
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