Reviewing the game-day predictions: Maryland-Duke

Running down the aftermath of Maryland's 79-72 victory over Duke ...

1. Greivis Vasquez will shine on Senior Night.

CORRECT. It wasn't a prolific outburst --- not even the 25 points I thought Vasquez could toss up --- but his decisive play down the stretch more than made up for not having gaudy numbers. Vasquez had 20 points, five assists and four rebounds and helped clinch Maryland's first perfect home season in league play since 2002.

2. Sean Mosley won't defend Kyle Singler.

INCORRECT. And, amazingly, it didn't hurt the Terps. Singler got 14 points and five rebounds, numbers that opponents will happily yield the junior forward on nearly any night. Mosley had a solid all-around game, and like Vasquez and Jordan Williams, his work at the foul line helped close out the Blue Devils.

3. Maryland will get Brian Zoubek into foul trouble --- but not until he drops 10-and-8.

I'LL LET YOU DECIDE. Zoubek picked up his second foul late in the first half and his third with 14:02 to play, so there were some issues there. Instead of 10-and-8, he wound up with 4-and-13. He was a factor, but not nearly as significant as he was in the first meeting in Durham. By the numbers, the prediction wasn't correct. But in spirit, it was. I'll let readers decide which one of those is more important.

4. Not banking on it being Jon Scheyer's night.

CORRECT. Scheyer scored 19 points, but did so on 7-for-21 shooting and also had twice as many turnovers (four) as assists (two). It was precisely the sort of game Maryland needed to badger the senior into. Nolan Smith played well for Duke, but an inefficient Scheyer and an unremarkable Singler were part of Maryland's formula.

5. Duke will win --- but it'll be one heck of a game.

INCORRECT on the first part, DEAD ON on the second. Well, now it's open season as to who wins round three, which any fan of college basketball can only hope occurs next weekend in Greensboro. Maryland and Duke combined for an incredibly taut game, maybe not with the same zest as the Terps' double overtime win at Virginia Tech but certainly with greater stakes. There were nine ties and six lead changes in the second half, and everything after the break carried a tinge of anticipation. The teams lived up to the hype, and here's betting they could again while each playing for the third time in three days in another week and a half.

Comments

[Loyal Reader Mike P.]

ahh, the heady undefeated home season of 2002.

[Todd]

I am glad you were wrong on the first part of your last prediction! I love this feature Patrick, so i hope you keep doing it.

[Mike]

Jordan Williams made 7 of 9 free throws, many in pressure situations when the game was close? Bet the Magic 8 Ball didn't see that one coming.

[D1scourse]

Mike ---

No. Wouldnt have bet on that one. My fantasy team approved, though!