Finster wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:33 am
Wheels wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:48 pm
Surprised anyone is surprised by this result.
The 2020 game down in Richmond went to 2OTs. Ended with a midfielder winning it for the Terps.
Time is a flat circle.
Wheels, with respect, the on field display yesterday by both teams shouldn’t give either team’s fans a ton of optimism. It’s the first game, I get that, and you don’t want to extrapolate too much, but I’d be willing to bet that Maryland’s offense this year won’t scare good defenses.
On the other hand, I think your defense is excellent. But defenses get worn down. Tills has his work cut out for them.
One ask: does Maryland not ride at all? Every turned ball the Maryland middies scampered to the sideline, leaving Richmond ball clearers an open field. Is that typical of the Terps?
We're gonna find out again next week. Loyola will enter the Top 20, so there's no gimme games on the entire schedule this year. No Bellarmines, Vermonts, or Mercers on the schedule to help work out some flow issues.
Richmond is a really good team. That's a tough first game for both teams.
One thing that stood out to me, especially in contrast to Richmond, is that Maryland did not attack in early offense at all. Richmonds first few goals all came either in transition (failed MD clears) or very early in the possession before Maryland could get set. Teams have gotten better at defending Maryland in early sets, in transition, and off face-offs because of how the Terps did this in 21 and 22; but they didn't even try to go in early offense against Richmond. I'm sure Tills would have reasons for this related to figuring out lineups (which will need to get figured out) and not wanting more turnovers (they had 17), but not looking to go early before a defense gets fully set does slow things down.
Another thing that stood out was the number of times Erksa and Malever drew short sticks off switches and didn't attack those. That seemed by design yesterday.
The lineup thing will have to get worked out. Guys need consistency. I really like Whittier playing with Spanos and Koras because of how well those three complement each other. Whittier always has his head up, no one wants to slide off Spanos, and Koras is so good at finding space on cuts. I was surprised to no see Whittier with them. Then you've got the now perennial issue of the 3rd attack spot. Richmond shorted Maltz on their first possession. Kelly was one of the 5 guys they rotated on the 2nd MF line. There are guys all over that lineup that can win match ups. If they want to.
As for the ride? Good question. The way Richmond attacked in early offense probably made the Terps think twice. They were definitely more aggressive in years past.