Wayne Viener, State College, PA – It is time for optimism in College Park. The men’s basketball team seems to have found the right gear in scoring 104 points on Friday night. For a few minutes in the second half, the Terps were near flawless. Stretching a 53-28 halftime lead into a 104-67 victory over well-regarded Marshall.
My “straw that stirs the drink” for this team is freshman point guard Eric Ayala. He makes it go as a true point guard. The scoring, especially the three-pointers, are extras. Eric’s prowess allows Anthony Cowan to move off the ball. His slashing moves from the wing are beautiful.
Ant Cowan does not have to be the primary guard for 40 minutes. This should allow for match-up issues throughout the season. They make a wonderful 1-2 combo up top.
Although the focus of this team is supposed to be Bruno Fernando and Sticks Smith, I look to the back court combo as the heartbeat of the Terp offense.
UVA comes to Xfinity Center on Wednesday at 7:30p. A win over the #4 team in the country will act as a national wake-up call to what is happening with the 2018/19 Terps.