There's a column coming up later today over at InsideMdSports.com looking at one of the more impressive traits of this year's Maryland basketball team: Its ability to put away teams early in the second half.
It's happened the last three conference games --- against Boston College, N.C. State and Miami --- as the Terrapins have improved to 14-5 and 4-1 in the ACC.
This contrasts significantly from a season ago.
Like when Maryland blew a 14-point lead in the second half and lost by one to Morgan State.
Or about a week later when the Terps squandered a 17-point lead in the second half and fell by two at Miami.
How about the 16-point lead on Boston College? Or the 11-point edge against Wake Forest? Better still, the 13-point advantage at Virginia.
Gone. Gone. Gone.
Not this year. In Maryland's five losses, its largest lead was eight points (23-15) at Wake Forest. It was also up 7-0 on Wisconsin in Maui. Given the juncture of the game as well as the location of the contests and quality of the opponents, those just don't qualify as massive collapses.
So what is different this time around?
“I think our mindset is different this year as far as closing out games,” guard Sean Mosley said. “Last year, we struggled closing out a lot of games. We lost 20-point, 17-point leads last year. I think we’ve done a great job this year of focusing on coming out and starting the game strong and finishing the game the same way. It’s just the effort we have this year.”
For more on this, be sure to click on the link above a little later in the day.
Comments