No matter how large the deficit, or how impressive the opponent, I’ve never once felt like the Terrapins men’s basketball was going to lose at Xfinity Center this season.
Not with arguably the most talented team in college basketball feeding off the Terps faithful’s arena-shaking roars.
The Terps have been challenged at home frequently this season, with games against Georgetown (Nov. 17. 2015), Penn State (Dec. 30, 2015), Northwestern (Jan. 19) and Iowa (Jan. 28), all coming down to the final minutes.
Yet each time, it never felt like the Terps were going to lose. And they never did.
That was before Saturday.
Facing a bruising Purdue team with only one starter shorter than 6-foot-6, it seemed like the Terps had met their match. Aside from forward Robert Carter Jr., no Terps’ shots were falling. Coach Mark Turgeon’s team was getting out-bodied, with no end in sight. With 5:58 remaining, Purdue was wielding a 51-47 lead.
Then: Bedlam.
First, Carter knocked down one of his game-high four 3-pointers. Then guard Rasheed Sulaimon converted a layup. Guard Melo Trimble converted a layup. Sulaimon buried two free-throws. Purdue answered with a dunk, but then Trimble found center Diamond Stone for a vicious dunk.
By the time the blistering 16-2 run was over, the Terps had taken a 63-53 lead.
Ballgame.
Throw whatever critiques you have at this team: They play down to their competition; their backcourt depth is too thin; they hardly ever blow out their opponents.
That’s all fine and dandy. But the bottom line is that this team just keeps on winning.
Winning — that’s something you can’t poke holes in. Just ask Charlie Sheen.
But before you try to locate the washed-up sitcom star, check out my postgame grades:
Guard Melo Trimble: B
On a night Trimble’s jumper was off — he shot 2-for-12 from the field — he still tallied seven assists and had just one turnover. It was a product of a more aggressive Trimble, who eagerly attacked the lane. Ten of his 14 points came from the free-throw line. Four of those points came in the final 1:03.
Guard Rasheed Sulaimon: A-
Sulaimon recorded a game-high 21 points and seemed to energize teammates and fans. With 1:22 remaining, he converted a layup in traffic. Before heading to the charity stripe, he mimed cutting his throat before contorting his hands into cell phones, an ode to Drake’s hit music video ‘Hotline Bling.’ Turgeon said the graduate transfer tends to elevate his play in big games.
Forward Jake Layman: B-
Turgeon has repeated this season that the senior’s value to the team lies more in his defense than his offense. Saturday, Layman attempted just three shots while holding Purdue forward Vince Edwards to 4-for-12 shooting. I would’ve liked to see Layman try to make offense more of a priority on a night the Terps struggled, but I guess you can’t have it all.
Forward Robert Carter Jr:. A-
After the game, Purdue coach Matt Painter called Carter “streaky.” I disagree. Carter’s scored in double-figures in all but four of the Terps’ 24 games. The 6-foot-9 forward was at his best Saturday, knocking down 4 of 6 3-pointers en route to 19 points. He also found Sulaimon for a couple full-court assists and was as good as he usually is in on offense in the post.
Center Diamond Stone: B
When Stone sulked to the bench after his second personal foul, his father Robert Stone glared at the freshman from the crowd. He kept his eyes on his son for several moments. If there’s one thing that’s hindered Stone this season, it’s been getting into foul trouble. As a result, he only played 27 minutes — the least of the five starters. Still, 12 points and six rebounds is a solid effort.
Guard Jared Nickens: D+
After the sophomore scored 11 points at Nebraska three days ago, it seemed like his shooting slump was over. Nope. Nickens took five shots Saturday, and made one of them. He scored two points and brought down one board.