By TERRANCE HARRIS
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Trevon Bluiett doesn't spend a lot of time worrying about missed shots because he knows the makes will eventually come.
After missing his first seven shots and contributing just 3 points in the first half, Bluiett found his rhythm Thursday night to lead No.11 seed Xavier to a 76-65 upset of sixth-seeded Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Bluiett shot 6 of 7 during the final 20 minutes to finish with 21 points.
"Once I get a couple to go in and get a rhythm going then everything starts to fall," said Bluiett, the Musketeers' leading scorer. "Everything you shoot just feels good."
Bluiett made four 3s in the second half to help Xavier come back from a 6-point deficit.
The Musketeers move on in the West region , marking the third straight year they have advanced to the second round. They will play third-seeded Florida State, which beat FGCU 86-80, in the second round on Saturday.
Maryland, which started three freshmen for much the season, lost in the first round for the first time since 1997.
Maryland came in favored after finishing second in the Big Ten during the regular season but the Terps seemed to be one of the more vulnerable No. 6 seeds in the tournament, primarily because of their youth. Maryland's young players struggled at times as Xavier shifted from zone to man-to-man. Kevin Huerter finished with 19 points but was just five of 13 from the field and star junior Melo Trimble couldn't find a rhythm against the Musketeers zone, going 1 for 9 from 3-point range to finish with 13 points, three assists and three turnovers.
"I just believe in my players," said Xavier coach Chris Mack. "Maryland is really good against man-to-man offensively. We don't want Quentin Goodin to be chasing Melo Trimble all over the floor so zone is fairly effective at times."
Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said his players had difficulty trying to beat Xavier's defense. The Terps went long stretches without making baskets and shot just 26 percent from 3-point range, worse in the second half as Xavier played mostly zone.
"The changing defenses gave us more problems than anything tonight," Turgeon said. "I think they got hot and we kind of got rushed a little bit."
The Terps also had no answer for Xavier big man Sean O'Mara, who had a career night off the bench, forcing his way in the paint. O'Mara, who finished with 18 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line, dominated as Bluiett struggled and kept the pressure on the Terps' two big men.
"My teammates got me the ball in great positions and pretty much all I had to do was throw up five foot hook shots and make a couple of back-to-the-basket moves to score," O'Mara said.
The Musketeers also got a huge contribution from Kaiser Gates off bench with 11 points. Xavier's bench outscored the Terps 30-13 and outrebounded them 11-4 in a game that was fairly close throughout.
"When you get production like that with those two it just makes us that much tougher to defend," Mack said.
TRIPLE DEFENSE
Xavier flipped between man-to-man and zone throughout most of the game, but Turgeon believes they played more variations than that.
"They were playing 3 different defenses and everybody has to recognize it. We didn't and that really hurt us."
GODD LUCK ORLANDO
Xavier has won seven straight games in Orlando, which also include two neutral site tournament wins in the Advocare Invitational and Tire Pros Invitational.
BILL MURRAY SIGHTING
Actor Bill Murray was in attendance in support of Xavier. Murray's son, Luke Murray, is a second-year assistant coach for the Musketeers.
UP NEXT
Xavier will play Florida State on Saturday at Amway Center.
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Friday, March 17, 2017
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Xavier-Maryland Preview
Stats, LLC
As team after team was announced during Sunday evening’s NCAA Tournament selection show, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon could barely contain his anticipation.
A few hundred miles away, Xavier coach Chris Mack and his team were stressing through several exasperating minutes just the same because a late-season skid chipped away at their chance of earning a bid.
In a fitting showdown between two teams that are ready to hit the reset button after stumbling late in the season and sweating through the selection show, the No. 6 seed Terrapins will take on the No. 11 seed Musketeers in a West Region first-round game Thursday at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
“The West (Region) comes up and all those teams start showing up, and I got a little nervous because you’re not guaranteed anything, especially when you’re not a high seed,” Mack said.
“My heart was coming through my sweater,” Turgeon said. “We had quite the celebration in my basement when our name popped up. I didn’t even know we were playing Xavier until probably a minute because we were going crazy.”
The Terrapins (24-8) undoubtedly are aware of the Musketeers (21-13) Big East by now and will be prepared for a matchup that immediately began drawing attention as a possible upset opportunity.
The winner of Thursday’s game will face either Florida State or Florida Gulf Coast.Led by junior guard Melo Trimble, who averages 17 points per game, Maryland played like one of the elite teams in the country for more than two months of the season before going into a tailspin. The Terrapins won 20 of their first 22 games before dropping six of their last 10, including three straight at one point.
After a 72-64 loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday, Turgeon couldn’t contain his frustration any longer and let his team feel his displeasure.
“I don’t usually get on my guys right after a game, but I was upset Friday night,” Turgeon said. “I let them know it.”
The Musketeers have also dealt with adversity since losing sophomore guard Edmond Sumner to a torn ACL while playing against St. John’s on Jan. 29.
Xavier was 18-6 after beating DePaul on Feb. 8. It then dropped six straight games to close out February and begin March and likely needed wins over DePaul and Butler in the Big East conference tournament just to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.
Without Sumner, the Musketeers have asked more of junior guards Trevon Bluiett, who leads the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game, and J.P. Macura, who adds 14.5 points per game.
Trimble, who was a player of the year candidate when his team was rolling most of the season, is the main star for Maryland. The Terrapins have also gotten steady contributions from freshmen Anthony Cowan (10.5 points per game) and Justin Jackson (10.4).
“I’m going to view this as a great thing,” Turgeon said of his team’s youth. “When they never played a home game, they were great. When they never played on the road, they were great.”
As team after team was announced during Sunday evening’s NCAA Tournament selection show, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon could barely contain his anticipation.
A few hundred miles away, Xavier coach Chris Mack and his team were stressing through several exasperating minutes just the same because a late-season skid chipped away at their chance of earning a bid.
In a fitting showdown between two teams that are ready to hit the reset button after stumbling late in the season and sweating through the selection show, the No. 6 seed Terrapins will take on the No. 11 seed Musketeers in a West Region first-round game Thursday at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
“The West (Region) comes up and all those teams start showing up, and I got a little nervous because you’re not guaranteed anything, especially when you’re not a high seed,” Mack said.
“My heart was coming through my sweater,” Turgeon said. “We had quite the celebration in my basement when our name popped up. I didn’t even know we were playing Xavier until probably a minute because we were going crazy.”
The Terrapins (24-8) undoubtedly are aware of the Musketeers (21-13) Big East by now and will be prepared for a matchup that immediately began drawing attention as a possible upset opportunity.
The winner of Thursday’s game will face either Florida State or Florida Gulf Coast.Led by junior guard Melo Trimble, who averages 17 points per game, Maryland played like one of the elite teams in the country for more than two months of the season before going into a tailspin. The Terrapins won 20 of their first 22 games before dropping six of their last 10, including three straight at one point.
After a 72-64 loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday, Turgeon couldn’t contain his frustration any longer and let his team feel his displeasure.
“I don’t usually get on my guys right after a game, but I was upset Friday night,” Turgeon said. “I let them know it.”
The Musketeers have also dealt with adversity since losing sophomore guard Edmond Sumner to a torn ACL while playing against St. John’s on Jan. 29.
Xavier was 18-6 after beating DePaul on Feb. 8. It then dropped six straight games to close out February and begin March and likely needed wins over DePaul and Butler in the Big East conference tournament just to sneak into the NCAA Tournament.
Without Sumner, the Musketeers have asked more of junior guards Trevon Bluiett, who leads the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game, and J.P. Macura, who adds 14.5 points per game.
Trimble, who was a player of the year candidate when his team was rolling most of the season, is the main star for Maryland. The Terrapins have also gotten steady contributions from freshmen Anthony Cowan (10.5 points per game) and Justin Jackson (10.4).
“I’m going to view this as a great thing,” Turgeon said of his team’s youth. “When they never played a home game, they were great. When they never played on the road, they were great.”
Monday, December 26, 2016
Boston College builds lead, holds off Maryland for 36-30 win
By LARRY LAGE
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Towles threw two touchdown passes and caught a pass for a score in the first half, helping Boston College build a big lead in a 36-30 win over Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl on Monday.
The Eagles (7-6) led by 16 at halftime, 23 points early in the third quarter and had to force Maryland to turn the ball over on downs late in the game to seal the victory.
The Terrapins (6-7) had the ball at their 35 with 1:48 left, but didn't gain a yard before Harold Landry helped to finish them off with a possession-ending sack.
Boston College was ahead 29-13 at halftime after Towles threw a 49-yard TD pass to Michael Walker. On a reverse and pass from receiver Jeff Smith, the quarterback scored on a 20-yard TD catch in the second quarter.
The Terrapins made some big plays on offense, but four turnovers, sacks and poor field position proved to be costly. In the first half, Perry Hills threw an interception, lost a fumble and was sacked four times. On the Terrapins' first snap of the second half, Hills handed off to Ty Johnson and the running back's fumble was recovered in the end zone by Boston College.
With 4:02 left, the Terrapins got to the Boston College 1 with a chance to cut into their nine-point deficit and Hills lost a fumble after bobbling a snap. They got the ball back less than a minute later when Boston College's Jon Hilliman fumbled at his 6, and were forced to settle for a field goal.
BIG PLAYS
Johnson had 62- and 30-yard TD runs in the first half. Hills threw a 63-yard TD pass to Teldrick Morgan and a 52-yard pass to Levern Jacobs for a score to get Maryland within nine points. Johnson had a 29-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give Maryland the ball in Eagles territory, but it turned the ball over on downs at their 41.
SHINING STAR
Landry was the only player in the game on The Associated Press All-America team, earning second-team honors, and showed why he merited the recognition. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior entered with 15 sacks, tying with Florida State's DeMarcus Walker for the most in the nation, and had 1 1/2 of his team's eight sacks. Landry also had a one-handed interception and deflected passes on consecutive plays on Maryland's drive late in the fourth quarter that ended with a fumble.
MISSING FOR MARYLAND
The Terrapins were without their leading tackler, linebacker Shane Cockerille, who was ruled ineligible. School officials declined to provide details before the game.
TAKEAWAY
Maryland: DJ Durkin, a first-year head coach, has built a career on defense and special teams. The Terrapins struggled on defense against a previously offensively challenged team, giving him plenty to work on in the offseason.
Boston College: The Eagles were impressive on offense in the first half, scoring 29 points and gaining 238 yards, with a creative mix of plays through the air and on the ground before appearing to relax and regress.
UP NEXT
Maryland: With Hills out of eligibility, the Terrapins will have North Carolina transfer Caleb Henderson and highly touted freshman Kasim Hill competing for the job. Maryland will play Sept. 2 at Texas in Tom Herman's coaching debut with the Longhorns.
Boston College: The Eagles also will be looking also be looking for a new quarterback. To replace the departing Towles next season, Connor Strachan and Darius Wade will have a shot in the spring and summer to take the first snap when Boston College opens the 2017 season Sept. 1 at Northern Illinois.
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Towles threw two touchdown passes and caught a pass for a score in the first half, helping Boston College build a big lead in a 36-30 win over Maryland in the Quick Lane Bowl on Monday.
The Eagles (7-6) led by 16 at halftime, 23 points early in the third quarter and had to force Maryland to turn the ball over on downs late in the game to seal the victory.
The Terrapins (6-7) had the ball at their 35 with 1:48 left, but didn't gain a yard before Harold Landry helped to finish them off with a possession-ending sack.
Boston College was ahead 29-13 at halftime after Towles threw a 49-yard TD pass to Michael Walker. On a reverse and pass from receiver Jeff Smith, the quarterback scored on a 20-yard TD catch in the second quarter.
The Terrapins made some big plays on offense, but four turnovers, sacks and poor field position proved to be costly. In the first half, Perry Hills threw an interception, lost a fumble and was sacked four times. On the Terrapins' first snap of the second half, Hills handed off to Ty Johnson and the running back's fumble was recovered in the end zone by Boston College.
With 4:02 left, the Terrapins got to the Boston College 1 with a chance to cut into their nine-point deficit and Hills lost a fumble after bobbling a snap. They got the ball back less than a minute later when Boston College's Jon Hilliman fumbled at his 6, and were forced to settle for a field goal.
BIG PLAYS
Johnson had 62- and 30-yard TD runs in the first half. Hills threw a 63-yard TD pass to Teldrick Morgan and a 52-yard pass to Levern Jacobs for a score to get Maryland within nine points. Johnson had a 29-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give Maryland the ball in Eagles territory, but it turned the ball over on downs at their 41.
SHINING STAR
Landry was the only player in the game on The Associated Press All-America team, earning second-team honors, and showed why he merited the recognition. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound junior entered with 15 sacks, tying with Florida State's DeMarcus Walker for the most in the nation, and had 1 1/2 of his team's eight sacks. Landry also had a one-handed interception and deflected passes on consecutive plays on Maryland's drive late in the fourth quarter that ended with a fumble.
MISSING FOR MARYLAND
The Terrapins were without their leading tackler, linebacker Shane Cockerille, who was ruled ineligible. School officials declined to provide details before the game.
TAKEAWAY
Maryland: DJ Durkin, a first-year head coach, has built a career on defense and special teams. The Terrapins struggled on defense against a previously offensively challenged team, giving him plenty to work on in the offseason.
Boston College: The Eagles were impressive on offense in the first half, scoring 29 points and gaining 238 yards, with a creative mix of plays through the air and on the ground before appearing to relax and regress.
UP NEXT
Maryland: With Hills out of eligibility, the Terrapins will have North Carolina transfer Caleb Henderson and highly touted freshman Kasim Hill competing for the job. Maryland will play Sept. 2 at Texas in Tom Herman's coaching debut with the Longhorns.
Boston College: The Eagles also will be looking also be looking for a new quarterback. To replace the departing Towles next season, Connor Strachan and Darius Wade will have a shot in the spring and summer to take the first snap when Boston College opens the 2017 season Sept. 1 at Northern Illinois.
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