One of the themes that Gary Williams raised in many interviews before the season was that even with an identical roster from the year before you never know how a team is going to play in a new season. The Terrapins of last season posted the worst shooting percentage of any squad Gary Williams has had in College Park. This season, with most of the same players, Maryland is shooting as good as any team in the ACC. In league games Maryland is first in 3-point %, first in offensive efficiency, second in field goal % and third in scoring margin. This group has been able to light it up on offense without a doubt. Last season in ACC games the Terps ranked 10th in efficiency, 10th in field goal %, 11th in 3-point % and 10th in points per possession. It is a fairly remarkable turnaround. It would make you wonder if that is sustainable as the grind of conference games continues.
I don’t think that Maryland will continue to shoot 54% from 3-point range but there are a few factors that make me conclude that their excellent shooting isn’t a fluke. Sophomore Sean Mosley is one reason the Terps have improved so much. Last season he endured a horrible shooting slump but has broken out of that in a big way shooting 61% from the floor and 40% from 3-point range. Last season those numbers were 37% and 24% respectively. He has really worked to improve his shooting and his shot selection is probably as good as any player on the team. In addition to Mosley Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Cliff Tucker have also really bumped up their shooting this season. That kind of across the board improvement isn’t based on one player on a hot streak. Excellent ball movement as evidence by the second highest assist % in the ACC and the ability to limit turnovers giving them an assist to turnover ratio that is also second in the conference also contributes to very good offensive production.
The defense this season hasn’t been as stout as it was at times last season so Maryland has needed to shoot the ball well. It will be interesting to see what happens when a team tries to slow it down and grind out a halfcourt game against the Terps. Virginia and Virginia Tech will almost certainly try this tactic. If the Terps are not shooting well that day they will have to find other ways to score such as getting to the freethrow line. The Terps are in a good position to gather some wins before a tough road stretch in February as their next two opponents, N.C. State and Miami match up poorly with Maryland. Whatever will happen this season Gary Williams seems to have been correct in suggesting that just because the same players return doesn’t mean your team won’t change.
