Here's why Maryland will fare better tonight against Clemson than in the teams' previous game -- because the Terps couldn't do much worse.
The matchup at Clemson was one of the choppiest games I've ever seen. It was an ugfest.
It was a game in which the Terps had some early success breaking Clemson's press and getting two-on-one and three-on-two fast breaks. The Terps apparently thought they could continue to do this all game long. Consequently, they continued to push the ball up court -- often unwisely -- and rushed shots and seemed to get out of their comfort zone. It's as if the prospect of fast-break baskets was just too tempting. Maryland needed to settle down.
I don't think the Terps will have the same problem tonight. Where Maryland can be hurt -- no surprise to Terps fans -- is on the offensive boards. Trevor Booker was coming off an illness in the last meeting and still managed 16 rebounds. He also shot 2-for-16. You'd think he'd shoot better tonight, but you'd think Maryland -- 34.6 percent the last time -- will too.