Jefferies going against Wilcox! If Wilcox can shut him down, that means Gooden, Dunleavy, and now Jefferies will have felt the Wrath of Chris Wilcox! But, I'm going for the Hoosiers, so I wouldn't mind if Jefferies had a good game. I don't want some of those stupid Maryland fans who resorted to Vandalism after their team won the SEMIFINALS (how sad is that?) to have the satisfaction of a championship. I'm sure, win or lose, it will probably happen again tonight. Frickin' idiots. And I'm not talking about all Maryland fans, just those who like to smash police cars. But then again, I think Juan Dixon deserves a championship more than anyone in college basketball. So, I'm torn. Who is everyone else going for?
I think Jefferies has a ball-handling advantage over Wilcox but Wilcox is such a talented big man i have my money on Wilcox to shut jefferies down. GO MARYLAND
Should be a good one tonight! My prediction: Maryland by 8. They have more talent and depth, but I was always taught to never overlook a tough, scrappy team that can shoot the ball, so an upset wouldn't surprise me.
I'm actually going to take Indiana. Maryland has a huge talent edge, but it all comes back to Juan Dixon. He's what makes the engine go. If you go back and look at the film from Indiana's Saturday game with OU, Hollis Price was defended better than I had ever seen. Fife followed him everywhere, and even when a Sooner set a screen, someone from Indiana picked him up. Yes, Price did miss some open looks, but I'm guessing fatigue played a factor. Price had to work exceptionally hard to get open looks, and I think it took a toll. If Indiana comes out with that same kind of defensive intensity against Juan Dixon tonight, I think they have a very good shot at winning. They do need Jeffries to have a better game down low, and to stay out of foul trouble, but provided he can do that, I think they'll stay in the game. P.S. The spread of plus 8 looks very enticing, for any of you that bet. Indiana is a tough, gritty team who has already taken out two of the best teams in the country. If they lose, I'd be shocked if it were by double digits. (Of course, I thought Kansas would beat Maryland too, so who knows...)
Maryland.....it is their year...and I am a soothsayer....so take heed. Maryland beat Kansas despite getting virtually nothing from Lonny Baxter, and Steve Blake playing poorly yet again. As far as the defense of Fife goes, Dixon is a whole other beast. Nobody knows how to get open using screens better than Juan Dixon, and unlike Hollis Price, he isn't afraid to just pull up and shoot given the space that Fife allows his man. When you take into consideration that Maryland will never allow Indiana's post players, especially someone like Newton, to get good original post position; that Wilcox has shut down EVERY heralded all-american he's played against (Gooden, Dunleavy, and soon to be next victim Jared Jeffries); that Gary Williams is a much better coach than Davis; that Lonny Baxter is the same size as McGhee was, and WILL get Jeffries into foul trouble; the right choice becomes clear....
TPL I agree with much of what you say. Dixon is a whole nother level of beast and Maryland as a team is outstanding at getting him a 1/4 step (all he needs) and the ball in stride. What I also think people overlook with Maryland is how good their defense is. Everyone is talking about Indiana and Fife's defense, but not about Maryland's. It was Maryland's defense which is why I thought they would defeat the #1 offensive team in Kansas. With Maryland's quickness and length on the wings they only need a decent day offensively from the inside game (Baxter, Wilcox, Holden) or outside game to win (Dixon, Blake, Holden, Nicholas)--usually both are on because Dixon and Baxter are among the smartest and resourceful college players. In short, Maryland faced far tougher opponents the last 2 games, I would be surprised if they don't win somewhat easily. I just don't see many senarios for Maryland to lose. Foul trouble? Not really an issue, Dixon doesn't foul out and they don't lose much subbing for anyone else. Intangibles? Well Indiana is more beat up and has less depth and Maryland is more likely to wear them down with bodies or with pressing. Maybe they don't blow Indiana out, but I don't think Indiana will be in a position to win late in the game. Indiana had a great run against some very good teams, but neither Duke nor Oklahoma has the combination of depth, inside-outside playmakers, and balance of the Terps--it will have a different ending. Maryland 84 Indiana 70
Maryland- 85, Indiana 68: Juan Dixon's going to score 25+, Wilcox will dominate Jeffries and Maryland will flat out dominate the game.
Scar, I think it's going to be another game where Maryland's 4:3 advantage in good big men will be a big, if not THE, deciding factor in the game. Wilcox, Baxter, Holden and Randle are as good, and likely better than, any other combination of big men on a team in the country. Jeffries, Odle, and Newton are going to be outmatched. One thing that bewildered me in the IU-KU game was Sampson's reluctance to pick up full court. Why, when the opposing team's point guard is hobbled and susceptible to turnovers when pressured, even when healthy, do you NOT press? I would expect Maryland to try to exploit this weakness in Indiana's game. I'm also doubtful of Indiana's ability to adapt offensively to a team like Maryland, who throws so many defensive schemes at you.
Congrats to Maryland. An ugly win, but a championship nonetheless. For Indiana, a lot of the blame really needs to fall on Mike Davis. Indiana had all the momentum, and a two point lead, with 9:50 left. (44-42 Hoosiers at the time) The momentum shift occurred right then, when Indiana used a full court press when Maryland took it out of bounds. Blake broke the press, Dixon hit a wide open three, and Indiana never led again. Newsflash, Mike: Indiana is exceptionally low on athleticism. They win with fundamentals, like shooting, rebounding, passing, and playing straight up defense. Maryland is an exceptionally long and athletic team, and Indiana can't come close to running with them. Nevertheless, Davis puts in the full court press, Dixon hits the three, and the momentum disappears. Maryland likely would've found a way to win anyway, but it would've been nice to see what Indiana could've done with the momentum had Davis not made that crucial mistake.
Come on Cat, Davis did a wonderful job to keep their overmatched personnel within 10 most of the game. The Dixon 3 I don't believe was wide open and beat the set defense if I believe, though Blake's layup did strait beat the press. The decision to run the press a few minutes in the end didn't have much impact IMO--it was worth a shot as terrible as Blake and the Terps handled the ball that day. Don't forget it also causes a couple of turnovers that allowed them to tie the game. In the end it was a wash. If there was a mistake in continuing it it was because the slowed game would better conserve his players and reduce the number of events in determining a winner--but Baxter and Dixon looked tired late in each half too.
Nice job TPL and MFro in calling key parts to this game, though MFro and I had the margin pretty close but the points way too high. Indiana did get the kind of tempo they wanted it just still wasn't enough.
