We have seen this one before.
The historic rivalry that is Duke and Maryland is becoming more of an all-too-routine win for the Blue Devils.
The Terps had checked out with two games left to play in the regular season, knowing only an ACC tournament win would grant them an NCAA tournament berth. After bearing through sloppy play, unthinkable turnovers, missed and ill-advised shots, and a lot of Gary Williams perspiration, the Terps finally showed a little bit of effort against Duke.
Five times Maryland drew within one point, but they just couldn’t get over the hump and tie the game or take the lead. And then, just like in the first matchup of the season, Duke put it in fifth gear and sped away while all Maryland could do was stop and stare.
The Blue Devils handed the Terps their biggest loss at the Comcast Center on February 3, silencing a boisterous gold-clad crowd. The second matchup was eerily similar as the first. It was a close game, back-and-forth for 30 minutes, with both teams making their runs, but neither being able to pull away. And then, like being turned on by a switch, the Blue Devils brushed the pesky Maryland squad off their shoulder and ran past them.
I will say that the 16-point loss does not give justice to how close the Terps played the Blue Devils all game, but the fact of the matter is that Duke always finds a way to win and the Terps are without that extra gear to propel them past teams.
It kills me to say, as a Maryland fan for 20 years now, that Duke is simply a better basketball team. When we beat Duke, we riot. When Duke beats us at Cameron, they do the same thing as they would if they beat Longwood.
It’s no longer a big deal for them to beat us, while it is like Christmas morning again when we find a way to edge the Blue Devils. Maryland needs to get back to the level that they were once at when it is a big deal to beat it. Right now, that’s just not the deal.
Williams has recruited some phenomenal players. Greivis Vasquez, ACC payer of the year last year, Jordan Williams a third team all-American and first-team All-ACC, and freshman Terrell Stoglin an All-Freshmen selection. But there is no connecting the dots.
Like Duke, we have role players, but we have missing roles. Stoglin is a phenomenal scoring point guard while Pe’Shon Howard is a more conservative drive-and-dish point guard, providing a nice change of pace when needed. Williams is a go-to big man, a rebounding horse and a great guy to have in an inside-out game. But that’s where it ends. There is no outside game.
The Terps mustered just 35 percent from beyond the arc, hitting only 151 all year. Duke made over 100 more threes, and shot nearly 38 percent. Maryland needs a shooter if they want to be up with the elites again.
Otherwise, the dots will continue to remain unconnected and Maryland will be left with a few star players and several disappointing seasons.
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