The Maryland men’s basketball team beat Michigan State in January 2015 behind guard Melo Trimble’s 24 points, and Spartans coach Tom Izzo marveled at the then-freshman’s poise and efficiency.
The budding star’s highlight came with a crossover 3-pointer in the waning moments of the first half, prompting a Spartans defender to tumble to the Xfinity Center floor and Izzo to declare in his press conference Trimble was “the straw that stirs the drink.”
Two years later, Izzo again took the podium in the depths of Xfinity Center and gushed over the savvy junior. Trimble drained a trey in the final seconds to punctuate the regular season with a 63-60 win, secure the Terps’ No. 3 seed in next weekend’s Big Ten tournament and leave the veteran Spartans leader dumbfounded at another concoction of a performance.
“He stirred the drink,” Izzo said. “Now he’s stirred it, made it and drank it. He does all of it now.”
And, wow, did Trimble do it all in the final minutes Saturday, perhaps his final contest in College Park with another spring saga of NBA declaration decisions looming.
He had five of his team-high 16 points and two key rebounds in the last two-and-a-half minutes.
And when the final buzzer sounded — after a lengthy official review and Michigan State’s last ditch attempt clanged off the rim — Trimble tumbled to the Xfinity Center court.
The Terps mobbed him, traveling in a pack to the handshake line, where Izzo joked he didn’t want to shake Trimble’s hand. Maybe Izzo needed a drink instead.
Guard Melo Trimble: A-
It wasn’t the Upper Marlboro native’s most efficient outing — he went 6-for-15 from the field and missed four of his six triple tries — but he showed promising aggression driving through the lane. He also corralled six rebounds, five in the second half, to ignite the Terps’ late charge and roars from the announced 17,950 fans.
Guard Anthony Cowan: A-
Cowan was instrumental to the offense’s rhythm throughout the game as the primary ball-handler and a productive passer. He dished out five dimes, positioning the frontcourt for easy conversions, and totaled 11 points on 4 of 7 shots. The quick rookie was also a stout defender, helping limit Michigan State’s starting guards to a combined five points.
Center Damonte Dodd: B+
Dodd’s day started with a stroll to mid-court, surrounded by his family, coaches and teammates, to celebrate Senior Day as the program’s lone player from his original class. He spoke after the game about his pride and appreciation for his time in a Maryland uniform, and it was easy for him to smile about the memories and laugh about Turgeon’s intensity after pouring in seven points, three rebounds and a block as the Terps’ best post defender in his 27 minutes.
Forward Justin Jackson: B
After the game, Izzo admitted the Canadian freshman was one of the players the Spartans scouted most because he poses a threat in the paint and on the perimeter. Jackson flashed those skills throughout the game. While he shot 36 percent, Jackson totaled 15 points and pulled down six rebounds. The Terps shouldn’t let Jackson lead the team in three-point attempts as competition ramps up in the postseason, but the rookie’s versatility was an asset Saturday.
Guard Kevin Huerter: B-
Perhaps if Huerter had hit more than one of his seven shots — a 3-pointer during Maryland’s 14-4 run early in the second half — the Terps wouldn’t have needed Trimble’s three-point prayer. But the freshman amended his offensive shortcomings with sound defense, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. He’ll need to regain his shooting rhythm in six days when the Terps play their Big Ten tournament opener.
