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Maryland Basketball: Bucknell Troubles Turgeon

By Wesley Brown

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Maryland found themselves in some unfamiliar territory as they hosted Bucknell.

Head coach Mark Turgeon took the blame after the Terrapins trailed by 15 at halftime to the Bison at home. “I didn’t coach very well”, Turgeon said about their first half, adding that their game plan was simply wrong.

Maryland felt the need to lock down on Zach Thomas, Bucknell’s center, that they were afraid to switch on ball screens. This allowed the Bison to find some open shots in the first half, and shoot 64% from the field, and 70% from three-point range.

Down 15 at half, Turgeon threw out the scouting report and told his guys to switch on every screen. His one ask was to allow 27 points or less in the second half, but he was satisfied with the 28.

If it wasn’t for a couple late desperation threes, Maryland would have been below that defensive mark.

The second half was ignited, once again, by the freshmen Darryl Morsell and Bruno Fernando. The two finished with a combined 29 points and 12 rebounds, plus incredible plays that got the crowd into.

Fernando, Morsell and Turgeon all noted how the crowd was really helpful in propelling this team’s massive second half comeback.

The Terrapins also cut down on turnovers, but are turning it over too much according to Turgeon. If they can continue to limit turnovers, they will find that defense becomes much easier.

Injury Updates:

Michal Cekovsky played very limited minutes due to what Turgeon and his staff believe to be early stages of strep throat. He was put on antibiotics, but he wanted to play some, so Turgeon used him sparingly when needed. Ivan Bender was used more when Bucknell went small, and Sean Obi also got playing time off the bench.

Kevin Huerter suffered a left leg injury late in the game as he was fouled coming down with a rebound. With a very heavy limp, he was helped down the floor by teammates, hit both of his free throws, and was pulled for the end of the game. Turgeon said after the game that it was simply a bad cramp, and that he should be fine.