Tobacco Road Report

A few thoughts on Maryland's opener with Davidson (hint: energy and tempo).

After examining the first round games for the um-teenth time over the past two days, the matchup that continues to catch TRR's eye is the game between Maryland and Davidson.

Davidson's modus operandi this season has been a hectic pace and high energy. They've been led all year by Stephen Curry, son of NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry. Curry is a 6'0" do-everything kind of guard that has the ability to take over games for stretches at a time. The Wildcats compensate for some frontline deficiencies by playing up-tempo basketball, averaging 73 possessions per game. Davidson also gave OSU more than it wanted last year. In some circles Davidson is a de jour pick as a sleeper-upset in the first round.

(TRR readers should note that this article has featured analysis in english, french, and latin...we aim to please. Keep on the lookout for TRRdeportes...)

Pitting Davidson and its up-tempo style against Maryland makes things interesting. The Terps aren't as high octane as past Terrapin teams, but they have nevertheless averaged 74 possessions per game this season.

Past Maryland teams used the press to generate transition and tempo, but this Maryland team generates open court play with the defensive glass. When the bigs grab 70 percent of their defensive rebounding opportunities or better -- i.e. holding the opponent to one-and-out -- Maryland's transition game becomes potent. That's when Vasquez plays the distributor to Strawberry and Jones on the early break or finds Ibekwe and Gist on the secondary break.

Against Davidson, however, the Terps can also afford to be patient if the primary and secondary break isn't there. Gist should have an advantage on the low block on the offensive end. In the battle of freshmen guards, Vasquez will have more pressure to make the right decisions.

Since defensive rebounding and getting out in transition are purely effort categories, the main issue for Maryland is energy. When they bring it, they're as good as any team in the country, but when they don't have it, they can be just awful. We'll also be looking to see if Strawberry gets the defensive assignment on Curry, or whether Gary attempts to let Curry be Curry and shut everyone else down.

Finally, Davidson is 0-4 against top-100 RPI teams while Maryland is 13-6. Losses to Michigan, Missouri, and Duke should indicate that Davidson doesn't have what it takes to beat Maryland. But, as they say, this is why they play the game.