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Terps Trample Noles' Part II

By Bill From Tampa on February 28, 2002

Unlike the first meeting between the two, the Maryland Terrapins quickly trampled the Florida State Seminoles 96-63. In that meeting one month ago, Florida State hung around for almost a half. Not so, in this game as the Noles' found themselves in a hole fairly quick and was essentially out of the game with just over eight minutes having been played.

That was one of the very few differences between the two games. There was too much Juan Dixon who scored 25 in both contests. There were too many Seminole turnovers. Cold shooting again plagued the Noles'. Lack of a transition defense again was prevalent as Maryland just ran up and down the court scoring far too many layups.

With his 25 points on 8 of 13 shooting, Dixon became Maryland's second all-time leading scorer. When he wasn't scoring from anywhere on the court, he was leading yet another transition charge that usually led to a Lonnie Baxter or Bryon Mouton layup.

By virtue of the win, Maryland clinches at least a tie for the ACC regular season crown.

At best it can be said that Florida State did get a lead in the game. Antwuan Dixon received a Monte Cummings offensive rebound and canned the 18-foot jumper for a 7-6 lead. That lasted twenty seconds on a basket by Baxter at the 16:14 mark.

It was off to the races from that point forward. Maryland went on 14-2 run to pull out in front 22-9. In that stretch, Florida State went to a zone defense that the Terps rapidly shot the Noles' out of. Drew Nicolas and Baxter hit back to back threes. The bombs seemed to shake the Noles' confidence for the rest of game.

Maryland continued the pressure sticking with the up tempo style leading to many easy layups. At one point in the game, the Terps were shooting 60% from the floor. On several occasions when the Seminoles, who shot only 34% for the game, did manage to score, a Terrapin transition basket would follow just seconds later.

By intermission, Maryland led 48-29.

The second half belonged to Juan Dixon where he scored 17 of his total points. Displaying a remarkable ability to score in any fashion, he was most deadly on the catch and shoot. Dixon started a minute in the half in the game with a nice move to get open in the left corner. Even with Cummings running at him, the quick release from behind the arc upped the Terps lead to 51-33.

A free throw on an intentional foul by Cummings, a slashing drive into the lane, a back door cut to the hoop, and a 15 foot bank shot from the ride side highlighted the senior's torching of the Noles' in just the first seven minutes of the half.

In an attempt to fire up his troops, Head Coach Steve Robinson protested a call a little to vigorously and was called for a rare technical. Of course, it was Dixon who made both charity shots. And the strategy did not pay off either as the bulk of the Seminole squad continued to go through the motions.

As the lead grew to 37 with not even ten minutes expired, substitutes began finding their way into the lineup. Notably JD Bracy who scored a career high 11 points. Adam Wasleskowski also found some extended playing time and punctuated that with a steal while guarding the inbound pass under the Terrapin basket and an easy two points.

The Seminole starters were not completely devoid of any fire. Nigel Dixon scored 15 for the Noles' and showed some especially nice footwork in working his way around Baxter on two occasions. Cummings also found the range early and also ended with 15.

Past that it was not the kind of effort the coaching staff has seen this season when playing at home.

One side note, sophomore forward Michael Joiner found himself suspended for one game for violating team rules. With how the Seminoles played on their heels much of the game, his presence would probably not have made much difference.

Florida State has a chance to end the regular season with a win. However, that does not as promising as it once did. Georgia Tech comes to town Saturday for a noon game. The Yellow Jackets have been a much improved team of late knocking off ranked Wake Forest rather easily last night. Perhaps a more confident effort will be displayed since it will be Senior Day and the last appearance for five members of the Seminole squad.


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