We are on the bubble....

of the NIT!!!! Wow, what a ridiculous choke job by the Terps. How did this happen?? The last six regular season games, they should have easily went 4-2 (FSU, VT, @MIA, @WFU, CLEM, @VA) - instead they went 2-4 blowing double digit leads in most of the losses. Unbelievable. I know this team is young, but to me there is no excuse for the way this season fell apart. So...where do we go?

Well, if I was AD of UMCP I would see how next year turns out and if we mis the tournament again, I would give him the axe. Look, I know what he did for the program, he is a decent coach who had a very nice run from 1993 to 2002. But how long does he get the "get-out-of-jail-free" card?? Going to the NIT three of the last four years is a complete joke. We have top line facilities, an appealing school, a decent location, top conference, etc. I am a realist, I know we aren't going to get Duke and Carolina's kids - I get that. But there is a HUGE delta to the level of those programs and not even making the freaking tournament. As UM fans OUR money and donations helped erect the Comcast center in the afterglow of the final four runs and championship. Well six years later, and where are we??? I don't believe the vision for the Comcast center was hosting first round NIT games!


So doing a little autopsy on this season leads me to a few points:
- We led the conference in FG% defense and FG% offense. But yet the scoring margin was negative. Why?? Turnovers. Yes, we led the conf in assists, but that came with a huge penalty of being the most inefficient offense (2nd in turnovers).

- The Eric Hayes Experience. Yes, I have an entire bullet point on him. What a disappointment he has been. Remember coming in how he was the next Steve Blake? At this rate, he is just hoping to become the next Matt Kouvarik. Ugh. It looks like he has one ACC level skill - shooting the three (and even that isn't spectacular). Honestly, he belongs as a backup two guard who could play 10 to 12 minutes and maybe knock down a three - he is NOT an ACC starter. He is pathetic on defense, is an absolute turnover machine (even after being stripped of point guard duties), and seems to have no confidence when handling the ball. Over the last six deciding games here is what the Eric Hayes Experience submitted - 41% FG, 9.4 PPG, 1.7 APG and (wait for it...) 3.14 TURNOVERS PER GAME. This is despite the fact that his point guard minutes evaporated to Vazquez AND Bowie over this stretch - amazing.

- Our interior defense made up for a lot of ills. Osby, Gist and Burnie really helped control the glass and defend the paint (hence the block shot and FG% numbers). However, our perimeter defense was awful and we ranked near the bottom of the conference in steals, even though we played some trapping and pressing. That is a complete indictment of our backcourt and wing players. If this doesn't improve dramatically next season (with Osby and Gist gone), we will filling out an NIT bracket once again.

- Less is more for Vasquez. Hey, I'm a charter member of the Vasquez fan club - I was on early last year. He makes a lot of dumb moves, but I still like him. However, I don't really think he is a point guard. I think with him "dominating" the ball so much it is not the best use of his skills. I would like to see him as a point forward. You can still have a lot of offense go through him, but more on the wing, and less controlling the dribble of the ball full court. Plus, having a front court player (SF) with his passing ability is a big advantage if you have another pure PG on the floor. Right now that guy doesn't really exist (unless Bowie is your man next year?), so there isn't much of a choice. You have to sink or swim with Vasquez right now.


My $.02 - feel free to chime in Terp fans. I know you want to vent!