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University of Maryland sophomore guard Greivis Vasquez says Tuesday's loss to Virginia Tech was 'a horrible game for me.'
College Park (Map, News) - Maryland sophomore guard Greivis Vasquez has been haunted for more than a month by the image of his ill-advised last-second three-point attempt that hit the back of the iron in the Terrapins’ 67-66 loss at Virginia Tech.
Vasquez had some regret in his voice when he reflected upon the loss Tuesday.
“Oh, man. That was a horrible game for me,” Vasquez said. “I was a little selfish. I didn’t give my team everything, not by scoring. I watched the tape and I just didn’t dive for the ball. I didn’t do little things. They were out-hustling us that game.”
The loss dropped the Terrapins to 0-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Since then, Maryland (17-9 overall, 7-4 ACC) has gone 7-2 to move into a tie for third in the conference entering tonight’s 9 p.m. rematch with Virginia Tech (14-11, 5-6) at Comcast Center.
Maryland head coach Gary Williams has seen a boost in confidence in his team during that stretch.
“I think that game helped us in terms of learning that we could play in this league this year,” Williams said. “Even though that made us 0-2 in the league, I think we learned some positive things that day.”
Williams has seen improvement in all his players, particularly Vasquez - last week’s co-ACC Player of the Week - who leads the team and is fourth in the conference in scoring at 17.3 points per game.
The team’s bench - which scored in single-digits 10 times this season, and in five of the past seven games -should get a boost tonight with the expected return of freshman swingman Cliff Tucker, who missed Saturday’s 82-72 win over Florida State with the flu.
“We’re best when we have five guys in double-figures,” Williams said. “It doesn’t matter what the other team has. If we can go get five guys in double-figures, or close to double figures, that makes us a good basketball team, and tough to guard. That’s been our way to play in January and February this year.”
Last month’s loss was one of three games sophomore guard Eric Hayes missed with a left ankle sprain. Hayes, who is averaging 10.4 points per game, is eager to try and slow down the Hokies transition offense, which produced a 4-for-8 second-half three-point performance in Blacksburg.
“It was kind of frustrating to watch from the sidelines down there,” Hayes said. “I’m definitely trying to come out [tonight] and be a difference-maker.”
swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:33 AM MST on Sat., Aug. 23, 2008 re: "Milbourne coming out of his shell"
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9:04 AM MST on Tue., Jun. 17, 2008
re: "Terps value golden opportunity"
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11:07 AM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008
re: "University of Maryland Terps unfazed by Commodores’ arsenal"
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9:49 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 12, 2008
re: "Terps need to make a run in ACC tourney"
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8:41 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 4, 2008
re: "Colossal collapse for Maryland"
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3:05 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 4, 2008
re: "A colossal collapse"
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12:42 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 28, 2008
re: "Morgan claws closer to MEAC championship"
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7:02 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008
re: "Is too much good bad for ACC?"
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5:34 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008
re: "Terps collapse against Duke"
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3:03 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008
re: "Terps hope to exorcize Demon Deacons"
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5:41 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 31, 2007
re: "Terps ready for Frese’s absence"
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8:31 AM MST on Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
re: "Terps gain international experience"
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12:06 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 21, 2007
re: "Booth solidifies link between Baltimore, College Park"
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Milbourne Improving said:
Milbourne should be one of the team captains this year. He is a proud Terp and if Coach Williams gives him the green light this year he will prove it.
1 agree | 0 disagree
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WR #80 said:
marrisa coleman is a very very good basketball player i love to watch her play because she is all around a good player
3 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Go 'Dores!
9 agree | 6 disagree
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GAB said:
And where are you going to get a recruiter who is better than Gary Williams? It's difficult to recruit a top-flight team when you must compete with Duke and North Carolina in your league and with Georgetown and George Mason in your area. Furthermore, what really is wrong with the NIT? Maybe it's the level of play his knucleheads deserve to play at. That's better than sitting on your butt in March, isn't it, especially if they can win the NIT? -- People have been spoiled. Many younger fans can't remember what it was like between Lefty Drizzel and Gary Williams, when the team was lucky to have nine wins a year and once couldn't even play in the ACC tournament because of an NCAA probation. Williams brought the team up to a higher level. Who could we get to bring it higher? Please name names or shut up about it.
7 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
a great coach? right. he is a HORRIBLE recruiter. its time that gary leaves. just like billick, we had 2 good years under him and he cant even get this team into the tourney half the time. look forward to next year.. gist. gone. osby. gone. where is the muscle going to come from? no where. there is no one on this team who can play forward or center in the ACC. they are in big trouble! and as good as vasquez seems, he throws the ball around like its a hot potato. way too many turnovers to be a leader. it's sad that 5 years removed from being the national champs, they are always on the bubble. good luck in the NIT coach.
40 agree | 46 disagree
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avid reader said:
Sad story for such a great coach. His players need to understand their roles in this system and team.
38 agree | 35 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Morgan, Loyola, UMBC and Navy are in first place in their conferences. Let's hear some support for the local schools and wish them success in March.
41 agree | 30 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Your photo caption says "Ron Paulus" ... I guess we now know your political leanings, but I'm sure GREG Paulus would appreciate a correct atribution.
66 agree | 59 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
maryland basketball is terrible
81 agree | 67 disagree
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avid reader said:
Go TERPS !!!!
87 agree | 95 disagree
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Al Hondo Handy said:
Good Luck Coach Frese. I think your team will do a great job respresenting Maryland Basketball, the State of Maryland and Ocean City, Maryland, where I am from. I will be there in the stands cheering your team on. Go Terps!
222 agree | 132 disagree
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Al Hondo Handy said:
The Terps have a really good, young team. Experience will play a big role this year. Overall I see the Terps being in the thick of things in the ACC.
153 agree | 139 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is great for the UM program to get Baltimore players to stay home. Let's make UM like Alabama and LSU and other ntional powerhouses.
176 agree | 150 disagree
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