Just got back from postgame interviews, and I’m back with some thoughts on the Terps’ season-opening exhibition match. No drama at the Comcast Center tonight as the Terps walked away with a 75-54 win against Indiana (Pa.). But while the outcome was never in doubt, the team spent most of the postgame session talking about areas which need to improve. Here are some nuggets.

> Rebounding is an area in which the Terps must improve. They outrebounded a smaller D-II foe just 36-35. Despite winning the numerical battle on the boards, forward Landon Milbourne said it felt like the Terps got killed on the glass. And guard Greivis Vasquez insisted that he cannot lead this team in rebounding, as he did one year ago. Tonight, Vasquez grabbed six rebounds, which tied him for the team high along with forward Jordan Williams and guard Sean Mosley.

> Coach Gary Williams said he felt the team was taking shortcuts offensively. Vasquez said the team must concern itself with proper execution of the play calls. At times, he said, the Terps did not run to their spots with the necessary purpose.

> Team defense was another area of concern. During his press conference, Williams invoked the name of departed glue-guy Dave Neal, praising the former forwards’ hustle and understanding of team defense. Off the top of my head, I can remember several easy buckets that the Crimson Hawks were afforded in the paint based on what appeared to be blown assignments or rotations.

> The press worked. Vasquez and gaurd Adrian Bowie both praised the Terps pressure defense, which produced 12 steals. But Vasquez did say that the Terps missed out on more points-off-turnovers by not taking care of the ball themselves. Still, they finished with 22 in that category.

> Vasquez just walked by the press area and asked who the MVP was tonight. I just smiled, but let’s play along in this space here. That award would have to go to Mosley, who finished with a 14 points (on 7-of-9 shooting) and six rebounds, while chipping in a block and steal. A nice day’s work.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.