UVA Comes to College Park, MD, 2/15

For only a two day layoff, being cooped up in College Park for days b/c of the snow, and coming off the Duke disaster, the Terps really came out strong. Obviously it helps to hit shots early while also having your opponent miss theirs, but there was clearly a sense of urgency and a much higher intensity level. They need to keep that going tonight in Raleigh, b/c this is a road game we need to win to stay in the top 4in the ACC. I believe we belong there, so we just need to win.

It was great to see James Padgett get into the game early and I think it’s obvious to Gary, especially after the Duke bigs owned us, that Padgett needs to start seeing more time. Jordan Williams had another double-double and I just love his intensity. What can you say about GV’s first half other than it was spectacular! The Terps came out strong and I knew it was going to be a good night when ESPNU showed the Terps going into a timeout and there was a great shot of my boy Troy Wainwright. My one criticism was not of the Terps, Troy, or the refs, but of one of the announcer’s on ESPNU, Dwight Freeman (sp?). The entire game he mispronounced GV’s name, saying Vazqwez! I don’t understand why broadcasting companies don’t demand that announcers pronounce names properly. It’s either ignorant or arrogant, but either way, it’s not acceptable! Come on ESPN/ABC!

At any rate, it was a fine win for the Terps, further knocking UVA down towards the bottom of the ACC, where Roy Williams and North Carolina reside. Tonight’s game in Raleigh is going to be very difficult, and if NC State can hit some open shots, further opening up the middle for Tracy Smith, it could be a long night. I have confidence the Terps will win, but I’d be surprised, though relieved, if it’s not a close one. It doesn’t appear to be on TV outside the Balt/DC area, so I’ll only have the box score for my report tomorrow. Go Terps!