Terps contemplating pulling an inside job

College Park (Map, News) - Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams sees similarities between the Terps’ first two losses.

“Never play Catholic schools around Christmas time,” Williams joked Tuesday about losses to Notre Dame and Boston College.

Reflecting seriously on the losses, he noticed the Terps were out-rebounded in both and registered the two lowest assist totals this season (11 and nine, respectively).

“They were both physical, inside teams,” Williams said. “They were big guys that could bang you around a bit. We have to learn how to play against that type of size.”

Before classes let out for winter break, Maryland (9-2) has a chance to return to the win column tonight with a home game against Missouri-Kansas City.

“The first eight [games], we were playing really hard and we were up the whole time and we were having a lot of fun,” Terps freshman guard Eric Hayes said. “We got away from that the last three games.”

Hayes, who has been shooting about 47 percent this year, is not worried about his shots falling. He does, however, want to play with more urgency.

“I have to be more aggressive on offense,” Hayes said. “Doing that will open up others for open shots. I need to be a threat on offense.”

Maryland is paying close attention to how the Kangaroos (3-7) played at Arkansas on Dec. 2. Despite being out-rebounded by 22 and out-shot by Arkansas, UMKC managed to keep it close in a 71-61 loss.

The Kangaroos may not be a premier team, but they will give Maryland more experience playing against size, with three forwards at 6-foot-9 and a pair of centers who stand 6-9 and 7-1. The Terps will also need to contain UMKC guard Quinton Day, who is averaging 21.2 points a game.

“They have a good two-guard,” Maryland forward Dave Neal said of Day. “He is left-handed, and he is tough matchup for us. [UMKC is] just one of those mid-major teams you can’t sleep on. They come here to Comcast, and they will come out and give us their best shot.”

Hopping on the ’roos

» Maryland must move the ball around offensively against Missouri-Kansas City. The Terps have averaged 18.6 assists in their nine wins this year while combining for only 20 in their two losses.

» Shot selection should be a focus for Maryland tonight. D.J. Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe, Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes combined for only 22 points against Boston College.

» The Terps are averaging 8.5 steals per game with 81 blocks on the year. Opponents are shooting only 37 percent against the Terps.

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