Some observations compiled during the second half and improbable overtime of the Terrapin men’s basketball team’s 88-85 win Saturday against UNC…
-Solid moment after Landon Milbourne got fouled hard going up for a fast break layup in the half. Greivis Vasquez ran over to help Milbourne up and then slipped and wound up on the floor himself. Greivis pointed at a manager and yelled “Hey, it’s wet right here,” laughing as he got up.
-Jerome Burney has worked his way back into the rotation for the Terps, as Gary Williams said Burney probably would during his pregame press conference on Friday. If he can give the Terps some quality minutes it would provide a major boost in the frontcourt. Still no signs of life from Braxton Dupree, by the way.
-Wayne Ellington just hit a three. The Terps are doing a much better job against the Wynnewood, Pa. native than they did in Chapel Hill earlier this month when he dropped 34.
-A quick 10-2 run for the Terps has breathed some new life into Comcast Center at the 12-minute timeout. You have to be impressed with how long the Terps are hanging around. They’ve avoided a Clemson-like collapse to this point.
-Some suspect refereeing today. It was favoring the Tar Heels early but it’s starting to even out a little bit. Even so, there’s an excellent chance Gary will bring up the officials after the game.
-The Terps are continuing to close the gap and trail by three at the 8-minute timeout. It’s starting to feel a little like 2007 in here. It’s almost a little creepy.
-Shades of ‘07 into the final minute. The Tar Heels keep trying to pull away and the Terps keep making it close.
-While the end of regulation was ridiculous and the Terps were able to force overtime, it almost didn’t happen. Sean Mosley clearly was trying to call timeout before the Terps’ last possession, even though the Terps didn’t have any left. Luckily the timeout wasn’t granted and the Terps avoided a Chris Webber moment (which I just realized also happened against Carolina).
-Greivis Vasquez’s three-pointer early in overtime gave the Terps their first lead since the first half. He finished with 35. He also got that triple-double he’s been clamoring about all season.
-The court storm is on! I can admit when I’m wrong, and this was one of those rare cases. I didn’t see any way the Terps could beat North Carolina, (again) but they did (again). Good for them.
Great win. Hopefully MD can carry some momentum vs duke. This was a great example that proves Gary is one of the best game day coaches around.