College Basketball: Maryland vs. Duke
Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 21, 2004; Noon ET
Maryland will be playing against Duke at College Park's Comcast Center on Wednesday night. For all the collective talent that will be on the floor Wednesday night, neither Duke nor Maryland has a dominant player to whom everyone turns when the game is on the line.
While all eyes may be on the Blue Devils guard, Chris Duhon, the Terrapins have Jamar Smith, John Gilchrist and Nik Caner-Medley. According to Post columnist Tony Kornheiser, over the last few years Maryland has been the best sports show in town.
The Post's Barry Svrluga will be online Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Noon ET to discuss Wednesday's Maryland-Duke men's college basketball game.
Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Barry Svrluga: Hello, hoop fans. Maryland-Duke tonight, huh? Does it matter that Maryland is unranked? No. Does it matter that Duke is No. 1? Not really. This rivalry has become as fun as it gets in college basketball, and I can't imagine why tonight would be different. Let's get started.
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Hyattsville, Md.:
Can you explain why MD has not cracked the top 25?? They are 3-2 against ranked opponents and even though the other two losses were to "lesser" teams (although Fla State is looking pretty good these days) it seems MD has lost some of the respect it should deserve given its overall record and tournament record the past few years.
GO TERPS! washingtonpost.com:
Terrapins Keep No. 1s Under Wraps (Post, Jan. 21)
Barry Svrluga: It's a legitimate question. The top 25 has a strange ebb and flow to it. It's kind of like a snapshot of what happened over the previous week, and sometimes just during the weekend. The Terps would have been rewarded for their win against North Carolina last week had they beaten Georgia Tech. But they didn't. They are, however, the second team receiving votes, so in effect, they're 27th in the nation. Not bad for a team with four losses and a losing conference record.
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Southeast, Washington, D.C.:
#1 Florida, #1 Duke, #9 North Carolina, #12 Georgia Tech, #18 Wisconsin, #16 Gonzaga, does any team have a tougher schedule than Maryland? And we're not counting the cupcakes that was very much needed. washingtonpost.com:
Terrapins Keep No. 1s Under Wraps (Post, Jan. 21)
Barry Svrluga: Two words: Michigan State. The Spartans' schedule was murderous, and they paid dearly, losing to Duke, UCLA, Kentucky, Syracuse, Kansas and Oklahoma -- all out of conference. Oddly enough, the Terps' schedule is ranked just 31st in today's Ratings Percentage Index poll, helped by the games against the teams you mentioned, but hurt by Maryland Eastern Shore and Mount St. Mary's.
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Washington, D.C.:
I agree that the Maryland-Duke has become one of the big games to see. But I disagree that the passion of the rivarly exceeds North Carolina-Duke. The Maryland-Duke rivarly is based on the both teams being good at the same time. North Carolina-Duke transcends sports and enters the realm of a cultural rivarly. Duke is seen as an elite, private institution that moved to Durham in the early 20th century and caters to Catholic and Jewish Northerners. Meanwhile UNC is seen as a North Carolina institution being the first state-sponored, public university in the nation and catering to Southern Protestants. It's impossible for Duke-Maryland to inspire the mutual passion on both sides that North Carolina-Duke creates. washingtonpost.com:
Terps Are The Area's Big-Time Ticket (Post, Jan. 20)
Barry Svrluga: There are lots of people on Tobacco Road that would agree with you on this point, and I think you're probably right. Over the last few years, however, Duke-UMd has produced more great games and involved more great players. How about the Terps' 10-point lead that evaporated at Cole Field House? Or the past two years, when Maryland knocked off the top-ranked Blue Devils in College Park? Or Nate James' tip-in during the ACC Tournament in 2001, followed by Juan Dixon's desperation heave -- that almost went in? That's all first-rate stuff. Duke-Carolina has the history and the passion that come from being so close together, but with UNC down the past few years, the luster has largely been off. It'll return, no doubt. But that doesn't mean we can't look forward to this one tonight.
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San Diego, Calif.:
Dear Barry,
How do you think Duke will try to limit the Terps going inside to J. Smith and what type of defense do you think Coach Williams will use to prevent open 3-point shots? Go Terps!! washingtonpost.com:
A Game in the Balance (Post, Jan. 21)
Barry Svrluga: Duke center Shelden Williams leads the ACC in blocked shots, and he's strong enough to force Smith away from the basket. Smith is coming off probably his worst game of the season against Georgia Tech, in which he had trouble dealing with 7-1 Luke Schenscher. One thing is nearly certain: The Terps are much better when they get the ball into Smith first, and work their offense from there. If he can score against Williams and Shavlik Randolph, fine. If he can't, he better find open teammates and not turn the ball over.
As for preventing three-pointers: blanket defense and prayers.
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Waldorf, Md.:
What is the reason Mike Jones can't get more playing time? He is a legitimate offensive threat and Chris McCray hasn't contributed hardly anything recently.
Barry Svrluga: Jones is an interesting player. He loves to shoot, and averages 4.2 shots per game even though he plays only 9.8 minutes. And he's started to show Gary Williams that he's beginning to understand that he must do other things -- defend, rebound -- in order to earn more playing times. Yes, McCray has struggled lately, averaging just 5.6 points and shooting just 5 for 16 over the past three games. But despite his struggles with Georgia Tech's Will Bynum the other night, he's a better, more experienced defender, and that'll be essential against J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing tonight.
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Washington, D.C.:
When are the Terps going to get some respect? We beat florida and unc this year, both highly ranked teams, and we can't even get on the top 25 list. If we beat duke tonight, should we be top 10?
Barry Svrluga: Top 25? Absolutely. Top 10? No way. Come on. Maryland has those quality wins, and that'll help with the NCAA Tournament committee. But a loss to West Virginia? Not good. A loss at Florida State? Didn't look as bad at the time as it does now. The polls, by the way, don't matter right now. Angle yourself for a decent seed in the tournament, protect your home court and steal a few on the road, and you'll be fine.
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Alexandria, Va.:
Duke seemed to get away with some pretty aggressive defense at home against Wake on Saturday -- as a result, Wake never got its offense in gear. Danny Ainge attended the game and was interviewed on CBS, saying that he thought the Duke crowd had a bigger effect on the refs than on the opposing team. Think there's any truth to the argument that Duke gets away with more aggressive defense at home because of the crowd?
Barry Svrluga: Talk about touchy subjects around the league. Opposing assistant and head coaches have long whispered about a double standard when it comes to Duke, and the Blue Devils have always argued that they simply teach their kids to draw charges and defend properly. Can a crowd have an effect on an official? How could it not? If that's true, though, the Comcast crowd should rattle the refs tonight.
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Detroit, Mich.:
Jeff - I usually don't whine about not "getting any respect" from the polls. However, I am baffled as to how a team that has beaten a No. 1 on the road and two other top 15 teams is not ranked in the top 25. They beat Carolina and then drop a road game to a highly ranked Tech team. It is if they are being penalized for being in the best conference in the country. Do you think this is an overeaction from a Maryland fan or a legtimate concern? I see a team like South Carolina ranked 25th and they haven't beat a ranked team this season. Maybe its just me?
Barry Svrluga: See above. And relax about the polls.
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Washington, D.C.:
The Terps are going to need an inside defensive threat in the tournment. Ebekwe seem to be improving every game, but Bowers seems to be totally lost on the court. Did Bowers play in a weak league in high school?
Barry Svrluga: The guy to watch is Ekene Ibekwe. He's not Chris Wilcox (doesn't have the body), but he can do some similar things, things that make you go, "Woah, there's no one else out there who can do that."
Bowers is interesting. Gary Williams seems intent on getting him minutes, and all he wants in that time is some rebounding and defense. Yet he is a liability on offense, and in his past five games -- in which he's played 34 minutes -- he has but five rebounds total, all defensive. One potential solution would be if Travis Garrison began rebounding more aggressively, thus eliminating the need for Bowers or Hassan Fofana.
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Washington, D.C.:
Maryland has struggled mightily at times with three point defense, what can they do to contain JJ Reddick tonight, and do you think UMD's free throw shooting has improved enough to pull out a close win?
Barry Svrluga: Indeed, the Terps' three-point defense -- at 36.2 percent -- is last in the conference, and that's a concern against Duke. Redick can hit three-pointers against even the best defensive teams, and Daniel Ewing actually has a higher percentage (42.6 to 41.3). It'll be interesting to see how the Terps match up with Duke's three-guard lineup. Best guess: Nik Caner-Medley has to take Ewing, which will be a challenge for him. (That would leave Gilchrist on Duhon, McCray on Redick, Smith on Williams and Ibekwe on Deng).
Whatever happens, the Terps need to make sure they rotate quicly and have a hand in the face of every shot. The crowd, which usually provides energy on the defensive end, could be a factor here.
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Barry Svrluga: Oh, and about that free throw shooting. Yikes. Yes, Jamar Smith hit enough to get by down the stretch against UNC (4 of 8), but he still made just 6 of 14 for the game, and is shooting an abysmal 42.1 percent for the year. That's worse than his field goal percentage (42.3). Not what you're looking for from the guy who you want to go to each time down the court.
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Arlington, Va.:
Who is your pick? And where can I catch the game on tv? (or radio) Thanks!
Barry Svrluga: Uh, the game is on ESPN. When your TV starts shouting, "Awesome, Baby!!!!!!" at you, you'll know you're in the right spot.
Pick? Let's wait a minute for that.
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Oakton, Va.:
Is it safe to say Maryland is a sweet 16 team? How come they are not a lock to get into the tournament?
Barry Svrluga: Sweet 16? Safe? What are you talking about?
It is very, very difficult to advance through that first weekend of the NCAAs. Were the Terps safe last year before Drew Nicholas hit that ridiculous shot against UNC-W? Hardly.
And let's see. Why aren't the Terps a lock to get in? Because they haven't -- and no one has -- won the necessary games to get there. Suppose the Terps lose to Duke tonight, dropping to 1-3 in the league. Is their season over? Not at all. But they better win at Clemson on Sunday. And what's after that? Oh, just a game at Wake Forest.
This is not an easy road. Do I expect the Terps to get there? Yes. But if they do, it'll be one of Gary Williams' best coaching jobs in several years. If they got to the Sweet 16, it could trump the job he did during the national championship year. The experience level is that different.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
What Maryland player do you think must have a big game if the Terps are to be successful tonight? washingtonpost.com:
A Game in the Balance (Post, Jan. 21)
Barry Svrluga: I'll go with Nik Caner-Medley. In some ways, he's not as important as John Gilchrist, who must limit the team's turnovers and run the offense efficiently. He may not even be as important as Jamar Smith, who needs to finish his opportunities down low.
But Caner-Medley is a decent barometer. He's coming off his worst game of the year, a 1-for-10, five-point performance against Georgia Tech. In the Terps' four losses, he averages 10.5 points. In their 10 wins, he averages 15.5. And he'll likely draw an odd defensive assigment (Ewing?), which will make his performance even more essential.
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Somewhere, USA:
Free throws: I love my Terps....they could win tonight...they will lose, however, if they are not aggressive on the boards and get quality rebounds, and if they don't make free throws...you heard it here first.
Barry Svrluga: Yes, we heard it here first. Quietly, on your couch tonight after the game, congratulate yourself for us.
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Oakton, Va.:
If the Maryland coach and Duke coach switched teams, who would win? (ie, how much of Duke's success is talent vs. coaching?).
Barry Svrluga: Woah. Is this question from Gary Williams himself?
Williams has done a great job of drawing motivation from the perceived bias toward Duke and North Carolina in the ACC and nationally, and likes to think he has done more with less, which he has. Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter weren't McDonald's all-Americans, as Duhon, Redick, Randolph, Williams and Deng were.
But both Williams and Mike Krzyzewski have molded their programs in their own image. If the coaches switched teams, it'd be the same kind of war it always is (though somehow I don't think Gary would feel comfortable in royal blue).
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Washington, D.C.:
I beg to differ about your response to the Duke/
Maryland vs. Duke/UNC rivalry. As one of the
numerous Duke alums in the DC area, the Duke/UNC
rivalry has in no way lost it's luster where it really
counts...on Tobacco Road. While the Duke/Maryland
games have been exciting the past few years,
everyone in Durham knows who our REAL rivalry is
with. I think the Duke/Maryland rivalry is much more
hyped up in other parts of the country than it is at
Duke.
(But don't get me wrong...we still love beating the
Terps!)
Barry Svrluga: Duly noted. Don't get me wrong: I love the Duke-Carolina rivalry, and it won't be replaced. I'm just saying that what we're looking at tonight -- and what we've had over the past four years -- is pretty darn good.
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Oakton, Va.:
Is it possible to rough up Reddick to take him out of his game? A couple of hard bumps as he comes around a screen and maybe he won't be running around so hard to get open?
Barry Svrluga: Possible? Yes. But you must take note of how the game is being called early. If there's quick whistles, forget it. And is this Terrapin team mature and experienced enough to know the subtle tricks of the trade that are used to bump and nudge shooters without fouling? We might find out.
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Washington, D.C.:
Who's the better analyst: Len Elmore or Jay Bilas?
Barry Svrluga: Elmore has a few more moves in the post, and his supporting cast (John Lucas, Tom McMillen) might be just a hair better than Bilas' (though Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie and Tommy Amaker sounds pretty formidable).
Oh, you meant announcing. Take your pick.
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
What is your take on MD's conference record. I'm thinking they will go about 9-7 (7-1 or 6-2 at home, 2-6 or 3-5 on the road).
What's your feeling? washingtonpost.com:
Terrapins Keep No. 1s Under Wraps (Post, Jan. 21)
Barry Svrluga: This is what it's all about. As so many of you have pointed out, the Terps already have the marquee wins (at Florida, Wisconsin and UNC at home) to draw the attention of the committee. If they go 9-7 in the league, that would leave them at 18-9 overall, a sure bet to get in.
The sketchy part: What if they're 8-8 in the ACC, 17-10 overall. Do they have to win their ACC Tournament quarterfinal game to get in? With those aforementioned wins, I'd think not, but you never know.
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Crofton, Md.:
Does home court seem to mean anything in this rivalry because it seems like Duke has its way at Maryland and Maryland wins at Cameron Indoor?
Barry Svrluga: It's an interesting point. Overall, yes, it makes a difference, because the Terps are 34-34 at home against Duke, 14-50 in Durham. And in each of the past two years, they split the season series, with each team winning at home.
But go back to 2001, when the teams played four times, and the Terps' only win was in Cameron. In 2000, the same thing: Duke won in College Park, the Terps in Durham.
I'd guess Maryland's feeling more comfortable about playing in Comcast, though. Big surprise there.
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Glyndon, Md.:
Jamar Smith bangs all his free throws off the back iron. Why doesn't he back up a giant step and try his prayer from that spot? Memo to Jamar: You've got the worst jump shot in the ACC, so remember that.
Barry Svrluga: I have sent your memo to Jamar. He has not yet responded. I'll let you know when he does.
As for moving back at the line, the physics don't seem to add up. Wouldn't it just make sense for him to take a little off his shot from a shorter distance? Anyone can tell you it's easier to hit a 15-footer than an 18-footer.
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
Why are Duke fans so quick to point out that Duke-UNC is their rivalry? It is common knowledge, but to the casual fan, Duke-MD is more fun (see ESPN's highest college bball, they are Duke-MD games).
What's the deal?
Barry Svrluga: Again, duly noted. Of course, in a couple weeks, we might be reminded of why people think so highly of the Duke-UNC rivalry. Of course, it's not happening tonight, so let's discuss it then.
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Somewhere, USA:
Can you give us a recruiting update? Any superstars-in-the-making plotting a path to College Park? MD Grad, 1985
Barry Svrluga: James Gist, a 6-7 wing forward from Wheaton, Md., is the Terps' only signed recruit thus far. He's highly ranked by most recruiting services, for what that's worth.
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Washington, D.C.:
With Maryland's remaining schedule being, in my opinion, the toughest in college basketball...what do you think that they will make the NCAA tournament?
Barry Svrluga: Remember: All the ACC teams have the same tough schedule ahead. Do you think Wake Forest's schedule is any easier? They've still got to play Cincinnati. Yes, the Terps will have road trips to Duke and Carolina in the second half of the ACC season, but they'll have Georgia Tech and Wake coming to College Park.
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Gaithersburg, Md.:
Regarding FTs, has the limitation on the amount of practice time (by the NCAA) hurt the ability for coaches to work in a structured environment with players individually? In this specific case, with Jamar Smith on his FT shooting. I'm assuming that game planning takes up almost all available practice time, at the expense of working on indvidual needs.
Barry Svrluga: Jamar says that he is spending plenty of individual time working on his free throws. He knows it's a problem. Gary Williams knows it's a problem. There is both time built into practice to work on it, and individual instruction. He's just not making them.
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Frederick, Md.:
What must happen in order for the Terps to pull off the upset tonight
Barry Svrluga: Okay, we're just about done, and an apt question with which to finish.
Yes, Maryland can win this game. The Terps can win -- or lose -- just about any game they play. Two quick keys.
1. Run the offense as it's intended to be run. Don't turn the ball over. Get the ball inside. Draw fouls on Shelden Williams. Be patient. Take good shots and knock them down. Standing around = blowout loss.
2. Defend with heart and tenacity. Duke will get theirs, but the Blue Devils are too good to allow them to just take open shots, because they'll make them. Get a hand in the face of every shot.
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Barry Svrluga: Thanks very much for all the questions. Should be a great one. For those of you who'll be there, enjoy the atmosphere. For those of you watching at home, enjoy your couch. I'm looking forward to it.
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