Maryland fans are delusional

[Ronman]

I hate to say it, but I think nearly all the variables point toward a Terp victory. Hope I'm wrong, but even if they do win, it's just a bump in the road for us. We would just need to take care of business this weekend at home against NW to right the ship. I don't think any sane fan thinks we are going to run the table and given all the talent Maryland has, and all the incentives there are for them to win this one at home, this looks like a likely point in the schedule for us to stub our toes.

 

[Eternal Return]

I'm a Maryland guy who will be at the game*, and I know nobody trashing your team or predicting a 20-point win. Everybody I know is expecting a tough game against a well-coached and talented bunch of Hawkeyes.

edit: * I suppose this makes me one of those "drug-using fans" from the first post...

I have no problem with Maryland fans using drugs ... as long as they share.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

Everywhere I've looked I see nothing but disrespect for our Hawks. Nearly everyone has predicted a 20 point victory for the turtles. I have to SMH because I could've swore I saw MSU roll over them like they were nothing and MSU didn't remotely play their best game, which Iowa has been on the receiving end of multiple times for years. One guy is even saying that Maryland's starting five will all be in the NBA LMAO!!! Sorry but I see maybe Trimble and even Stone will get a look but Laymon, Carter and Sulaimon will never sniff the NBA. That's not a bust, its just honesty. I think the Terps and their drug using fans, will all be brought crashing down to earth. I predict another double digit beatdown. I know we'll get their best shot but manoman are they overrated. They pass the eye test at first but they are shallow and play lackadaisical. Their bench is averaging 17 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg between 4-5 players. They've beaten a subpar but scrappy Wiscy team @ Wiscy, pummeled a horrible OSU team by scoring 100 pts!!, and needed OT to beat a pretty average Northwestern team. They've played two ranked teams and lost both games, #9 UNC and #11 MSU.
Again, Iowa is going to run up the score on these guys...if Iowa continues to play like they have. Then #1...here we come!!!

Maryland is favored by 4. So if you're confident about your prediction, make some bets.

 

[StormHawk42]

Man, I don't. I think Iowa's best is 10 points better than Maryland's best. And Iowa has more NBA talent also. Not sure anybody on Maryland's team will get a run in the NBA.

Tap the breaks. Trimble and Stone are legitimate first rounders next year. Layman will get drafted. Carter and Sulaimon might not get drafted but they'll get looks. Iowa has one maybe two at most that will sniff the NBA.

Doesn't mean we can't or won't win because I think we will.

 

[laidbackdude2011]

We cannot expect to be down by 20 early in the game and come back. We cannot give up an early lead

 

[bagdropper]

Maryland is more physically gifted than Iowa is by a decent margin. I just don't think they've really peaked yet.

Make no mistake, this is probably the most talented team Iowa has played yet this year. Playing at their place too. Iowa will have to bring their very best to win this game, though I believe it will be a slug fest type close game no matter what.

 

[The Reindeer Terp]

are tickets easy to pick up outside the arena?

not tonight - game will be sold out - usually you can get them - but tonight is first big home game in conference - place will be jacked, students back too.

I like your team. Much easier to root for than MSU or Indiana. Good luck.

 

[Bestsmileys]

I have thought all season that Maryland has the most talent of any team in the Big 10. But, Iowa has played better team ball then any team in the Big 10. Kind of like our Football team did. Should be a heck of a game.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Everywhere I've looked I see nothing but disrespect for our Hawks. Nearly everyone has predicted a 20 point victory for the turtles. I have to SMH because I could've swore I saw MSU roll over them like they were nothing and MSU didn't remotely play their best game, which Iowa has been on the receiving end of multiple times for years. One guy is even saying that Maryland's starting five will all be in the NBA LMAO!!! Sorry but I see maybe Trimble and even Stone will get a look but Laymon, Carter and Sulaimon will never sniff the NBA. That's not a bust, its just honesty. I think the Terps and their drug using fans, will all be brought crashing down to earth. I predict another double digit beatdown. I know we'll get their best shot but manoman are they overrated. They pass the eye test at first but they are shallow and play lackadaisical. Their bench is averaging 17 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 apg between 4-5 players. They've beaten a subpar but scrappy Wiscy team @ Wiscy, pummeled a horrible OSU team by scoring 100 pts!!, and needed OT to beat a pretty average Northwestern team. They've played two ranked teams and lost both games, #9 UNC and #11 MSU.
Again, Iowa is going to run up the score on these guys...if Iowa continues to play like they have. Then #1...here we come!!!

Iowa head coach agrees with Maryland fans that those 5 will be in the NBA or at least invited for a shot. It's the a Cedar Rapids Gazette article.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Man, I don't. I think Iowa's best is 10 points better than Maryland's best. And Iowa has more NBA talent also. Not sure anybody on Maryland's team will get a run in the NBA.

I hope this is a test of everyone's sarcasm meter, I'd be reasonably surprised if Stone reaches his Sophmore year at Maryland.

 

[torbee]

The game is a 1/2 point game and it's one I could see Iowa winning or losing by 15. If Woody were to get into early foul problems it could be a long night.

Carter can play. I don't know how much you've seen of Maryland, but Carter is for real. Stone is one and done, and Melo is a highlight reel passer in addition to being a scorer. Both Melo and Carter are bad match ups for the Hawks in my opinion. Melo is ultra quick and thats a problem for us. Carter is a quick but strong stretch four and likely presents our biggest problem. I doubt if we can handle him inside.

Maryland has so much natural talent I think they sleepwalk through some games (think Iowa / Rutgers). I'm not ready to forfeit, but I wouldn't lay a wooden nickel on this game.

This is a critical game for the Hawks so I think we will be ready. If the Hawkeyes win and that doesn't light your fire, your wood is wet.

Agree with much of what you wrote, but this is nowhere near a critical game for Iowa. Hawks are playing with house money here.

 

[IronFist1776]

Maryland is favored by 4. So if you're confident about your prediction, make some bets.

Good. But I don't bet anymore. Learned my lesson after taking MSU vs UNC in the Final Four in Detroit a few years back. Idiots lost by 20 in what was essentially a home game.

 

[IronFist1776]

Iowa head coach agrees with Maryland fans that those 5 will be in the NBA or at least invited for a shot. It's the a Cedar Rapids Gazette article.

Fran is just being nice IMO. Heck even JR Koch got drafted. The 2nd round has a lot of throw away picks. I stand by my prediction. Iowa is a better team, is better coached and doesn't shy away from chsllenges , thanks to the leadership from 4 seniors and a junior. Our bench is battle tested and hungry to make some noise. I think Maryland will come to play but they like to give the ball away, dont play team ball and don't play very good defense. Talent is great but it has to be coached up.

 

[SSG T]

Fran is just being nice IMO. Heck even JR Koch got drafted. The 2nd round has a lot of throw away picks. I stand by my prediction. Iowa is a better team, is better coached and doesn't shy away from chsllenges , thanks to the leadership from 4 seniors and a junior. Our bench is battle tested and hungry to make some noise. I think Maryland will come to play but they like to give the ball away, dont play team ball and don't play very good defense. Talent is great but it has to be coached up.

Per Kenpom...

AdjD -
Iowa - 93.4 (points per 100 possessions) - 15th nationally
MD - 93.5 (pp 100 poss) - 17th nationally

 

[EagleHawk]

My mistake folks, I should have prefaced my post by saying I read this on the ESPN pregame conversation link. On my phone right now so not too easy to link it.

That's your first mistake. ESPN is the home of trolls, nothing more. and opportunities to make 18K a month while working from home, ask me how.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

maryland has the better talent. They play their best they will beat Hawks A game.
Thing is, they have given ample evidence that they take breaks, lose focus and have off nights. Their B game isn't going to beat Iowa.

 

[bhuggins1955]

If the Hawks lose tonight it doesn't matter if it's 1 pt or 20. It's only 1 loss and every team has an off night. Maryland is loaded with talent and is capable of beating anyone in the country by 20 if they play their "A" game.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

I'm a Maryland guy who will be at the game*, and I know nobody trashing your team or predicting a 20-point win. Everybody I know is expecting a tough game against a well-coached and talented bunch of Hawkeyes.

edit: * I suppose this makes me one of those "drug-using fans" from the first post...

LOL no worries man, I personally have not found any Maryland fan to be disrespectful (yet)...I think Maryland is going to be our toughest yet and could go either way....too bad we only play at Maryland and not a home and away....oh well. Good luck and go hawks

 

[DougFHawkeye]

Maryland is certainly on my radar for a final four appearance along with 7-10 others. Still think we have a decent chance to win, but certainly wouldn't bet on it. As others have said, "could they beat us by 20?" They could beat anybody by 20 if they are on.

 

[thewop]

not tonight - game will be sold out - usually you can get them - but tonight is first big home game in conference - place will be jacked, students back too.

I like your team. Much easier to root for than MSU or Indiana. Good luck.

Picked up a pair from a fantastic gentleman and his wife outside the arena and sat with them in sec. 226, and while neither team played to their ability, the atmosphere was great and the game remained tight into the final two minutes. Let's just say both teams played great defense and the rematches in the B1G Tourney and Final Four should be epic (yea, I'll go with that).

For the Hawk fans reading this, Maryland's students are much louder and more disruptive than ours, and I'm sure its due to the University's formula more than their passion. Students are in the first 10 rows on all sides of the court, and fill one end behind the visitor's 2nd half hoop. half of the other end, first 10 rows, are press rows. The public sits above that, but it sits high enough that they can sit and see even if the students are standing. I'm not sure how tickets are distributed, or how students get them, but I'd imagine that has something to do with the excellent attendance as well. The arena was about 2/3 full at tip, because a 7pm start in the DC metro isn't easy for people with jobs to make, but by the second half, it was packed.

 

[l.todd]

OP should take a look at our fan base. We have as many, or more, obnoxious whiners as anyone out there. MD has excellent basketball fans, in part from playing in the ACC and due to their ability to grow a LOT of area talent, with DC and Baltimore so close. Like Indiana, they are more of a basketball school than football and their fans knowledge and passion is fierce. I went to Iowa but my daughter goes to MD and I have been to a couple games this year.