It’s not often that the coach of a team that’s just walloped its host by 30-plus points backs that same opposing team’s NCAA Tournament credentials.

But No. 9 Florida State coach Sue Semrau, coming off a 94-61 blowout win Sunday over Maryland, did just that in her postgame press conference. Semrau, who serves on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Board of Directors, said she “absolutely” considers the Terps a tournament-worthy team.

“You look at what they’ve been able to do against their competition and again, I think going into the ACC Tournament, they’ll be really tough to handle,” Semrau said. “I sure can’t pronounce No. 24’s name [Diandra Tchatchouang], but… she’s quite a player. She’s really growing into the system.”

Tchatchouang, along with center Lynetta Kizer (17 points), was a rare bright spot for the Terps inside Comcast Center. She had 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting, five rebounds and two blocks against the Seminoles, all game-highs.

In all, underclassmen accounted for 92 and 96 percent of the Terps’ scoring and rebounding, respectively, in their regular-season finale Sunday.

“I really have to compliment Maryland,” Semrau said. “I think that they’ve come a long way with freshmen and sophomores. They’re going to be a really great team.”

Jonas Shaffer is The Diamondback’s women’s basketball beat writer. He can be reached at shaffer@umdbk.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/jonas_shaffer.

BLACKSBURG, Va.–  After waiting an extra three hours to play, the Terps trail at the half for the third time in four games.

A rugged 10-point, six-rebound, two-block first half from Jeff Allen and a hot-shooting start by Dorenzo Hudson ensured the Hokies’ lead.

After a back-and-forth first 16 minutes, Virginia Tech, who has yet to lose at Cassell Coliseum this season, asserted control.

The Terps had just one field goal in the final four minutes of the half. Virginia Tech benefitted from 14 second chance points, led by Allen. It’s been physical and chippy almost throughout and at certain points in the first half, coach Gary Williams clearly wasn’t thrilled with the officials.

Vasquez leads the Terps with eight points and five rebounds. He’s been booed every time he touches the ball. Sean Mosley scored seven of the Terps’ first 15 points but after briefly leaving the game with an apparent neck injury he didn’t score the rest of the half.

For most of the afternoon the major story line was whether this game would even happen. At this point, it’s whether the Terps can continue to win games with big second half efforts.

Eric Detweiler is The Diamondback’s Terrapin Men’s Basketball Team beat writer. He can be reached at edetweilerdbk@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/edetweiler.

BLACKSBURG, Va.– So, this thing is really going to happen.

Three hours after the originally schedule start time it seems we are about an hour away from having basketball at Cassell Coliseum.

The P.A. announcer periodically reminds fans of the three water main breaks that have robbed the arena of water services. Fans will be allowed to leave the building to use the restrooms.

It’s just the latest in what has been a pretty screwy season for the Terps schedule-wise. They started the ACC season by playing two games in three days and a snow out a few weeks ago forced the Terps to play three games in five days at one point earlier this month. This situation is clearly a little different, but we’ll see what coach Gary Williams has to say about this. (But here’s betting he says something about not using it as an excuse.)

But, on to the game.

(more…)

In case you missed it, here is a quick rundown of every role Terrapin baseball player Adam Kolarek played in the team’s opening series sweep at the hands of FIU.

In his first ever collegiate series as a position player, Kolarek hit fifth in all three games, finishing 2-for-11 with three strikeouts. In his first ever series fielding a position that isn’t raised 6′6” inches off the ground, Kolarek played 18 innings at first base and four innings in left field, recording 14 putouts and no errors.

And, in his third season as a versatile pitcher for the Terps, Kolarek threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no walks on Sunday to keep the Terps close during the middle innings.

That’s downright exhausting.

(more…)