Late-season success a Williams trademark
Two weeks into February, Maryland is back in familiar territory: Uncertain of its postseason fate.
Even last year, when Greivismania gripped College Park, the Terps were no sure thing. On Valentines Day, they were 16-7, smarting from a 77-56 rout at Duke, and in need a few more quality wins to punch their ticket for the NCAA tournament.
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Those Terps removed any uncertainty with seven straight wins to close the regular season. A year later, Maryland needs a similar run.
On Monday when coach Gary Williams was asked about repeating history, he was in no mood to go down memory lane or address the “must-win” question.
“You can always win the ACC tournament if you have to,” Williams said. “I don’t get caught up in that because that’s wasted energy.”
Wasted energy or not, Tuesday’s game at Virginia Tech (16-7, 6-4) is the most important so far this season for Maryland (16-9, 5-5). The Terps can ill-afford a second loss to the Hokies after falling to them 74-57 last month at Comcast Center.
| Up next |
| Maryland at Va. Tech |
| When » Tuesday, 8 p.m. |
| Where » Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va. |
| TV » ACC Network (My 20) |
Maryland’s 76-72 loss at Boston College on Saturday, when it surrendered a career-high 31 points to Reggie Jackson, was doubly damaging, as it was the Terps’ second defeat this year to BC (16-9, 6-5).
“You have to focus on what you can do,” Williams said. “What we can do is go down and get a win at Virginia Tech.”
After falling short of its NCAA aspirations the last three seasons, Virginia Tech is motivated. Sunday’s 102-77 romp over Georgia Tech was an example of the Hokies in high gear as senior guard Malcolm Delaney (33 points) and senior forward Jeff Allen (25 points, 14 rebounds) fueled a 53-point first half.
“They’re the two main guys. But one thing, when you don’t play a lot of people, you’re comfortable in your rotation,” Williams said. “They go six, seven, maybe eight. I think it’s helped them.”
Under Williams, Maryland has pulled a few late-season Houdini acts. In 2007, the Terps were on the bubble at 17-7 before winning their last seven regular season games. In 2001, Maryland was 15-9 before finishing with five straight victories.
The Terps also have rescued their seasons in the ACC tournament, winning it in 2004 after a 16-11 regular season. In 2009, Maryland went 18-12 in the regular season, but earned an NCAA berth with a run to the ACC tournament title game.
“It’s amazing how many really good experts there are out that have it all figured out about the NCAA tournament, when it’s all going to depend on how you do in the next three weeks,” Williams said.
