The Diamondback doesn’t publish on the weekend, but Terp basketball doesn’t stop for us.

Here are some noteworthy snippets from today’s media availability session ahead of tomorrow’s game against Georgia Tech at Comcast Center. Topics include Sean Mosley’s struggles, Eric Hayes’ illness, the Yellow Jackets’ lack of success against the Terps and the prospect of using a more traditional lineup.

MOSLEY PERSEVERES: Terp guard Sean Mosley has scuffled recently after a scorching hot start to the season. The sophomore has hit double figures just twice in 11 ACC contests, and he’s shot just 20 percent (3-for-15) in his last three games.

“When you’re going through a stretch like I’m going through right now, it’s kinda tough,” Mosley said. “I know I can hit the shots that I miss. The only thing I can do is keep shooting until I make them.”

(more…)

RALEIGH, N.C. – Believe it or not, the Terps are gearing up for another basketball game.

In their third game in five days, they’re at the RBC Center, home of the Carolina Hurricanes, readying to play struggling N.C. State.

The Terps’ consistency has been their most convincing argument that they deserve to make their second straight NCAA Tournament.

That will be tested again tonight against a Wolfpack squad that has lost its last six conference games. The Terps bounced back from a blowout loss at Duke by throttling sinking Virginia on Monday. Taking care of business tonight will mean besting the conference’s worst team to earn their third conference road win of the season.

A win tonight would move them into a second place tie with Virginia Tech for second in the ACC behind No. 6 Duke, who is playing right now at Miami.

Keep in mind that Greivis Vasquez, who notched 30 points in Monday’s win, enters the game just 31 points shy of hitting the 2,000 point mark for his career. Vasquez had 33 in his last trip to the RBC Center last season. If and when he reaches the milestone, the 6-foot-6 senior will be the first player in ACC history with 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds.

(more…)

The story right now could be that the Terps bounced back from their worst loss of the season, a 21-point drubbing at Duke on Saturday, in a big way.

But really, Virginia can’t stop Greivis Vasquez, and he’s turned in one of the more impressive halves of his Terp career. So that’s where you need to start.

The Cavaliers have sent a revolving door of guards to check the senior, and nothing really has worked.

Vasquez has 25 points, five assists and four rebounds. He’s made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts. He’s thrived and the Terps are rolling.

Virginia came in giving up the fewest points per game in the ACC at 61 per contest. They’ve nearly given up that many in the first 20 minutes as the Terps are shooting exactly 70 percent. (That’s 21-of-30 shots for those keeping track.)

Landon Milbourne and Eric Hayes have eight points a piece, but they are clearly in supporting roles tonight.

Vasquez is just 10 points off his career high. That was set in the Terps’ memorable overtime win against then-No. 1 North Carolina last year. He had a triple double that night.

That will probably remain his best game as a Terp no matter what happens here in the second half, but what’s striking is how easy he’s made it look tonight.

Former Terp commit Jeff Jones and big man Mike Scott have 12 points a piece, but even that hasn’t nearly been enough.

Check back later for more and follow the team here and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/DBKSports.

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.

Five days later, the Terrapin men’s basketball team will get its chance against Virginia.

After snow wiped out Wednesday’s scheduled game, the rescheduled contest finds both teams on the middle leg of a three games in five days stretch.

At this point, that looks like advantage Terps. The Cavaliers (14-8, 5-4 ACC) have lost four of six ACC games since a surprising 3-0 start to league play. To remain on the NCAA Tournament bubble, they’re going to need to right the ship fast.

The Terps took their worst loss of the season at Duke two days ago, but they haven’t lost at Comcast in ACC play. In fact, their average margin of victory in four conference home games is 19 points. In a parity-marked conference, that’s really impressive.

The Cavaliers have two of the better players in the ACC in guard Sylven Landesberg, who’s hit for 20 points per game in ACC play, and forward Mike Scott, who’s recorded three straight double-doubles. They also play good defense, allowing a conference-best 61 points per game under first-year coach Tony Bennett. The thing to watch for them is how well their offense is hitting early. They are 11-1 this season when topping the 70 point mark (Simple math says the Cavaliers are 3-7 when the don’t get there.).

Although the Terps have had their struggles with the Cavaliers in recent years, there’s a lot of reason to believe they’ll be able to bounce back from the Duke disappointment. They need a win to keep pace with Wake Forest and Virginia Tech for second place in the conference.

The Terps are in their gold jerseys, which has become a staple of conference home games, and they just entered the court minutes before the scheduled tip.

Follow the game as it progresses, here and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/DBKSports.

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.