acc tournament 2010

acc tournament 2010

 Landon Milbourne often wildly waves his arms and screams while defending an inbounds pass, instilling fear and urgency into the inbounder.

The role is paramount in Maryland's full-court pressure defense, and Milbourne effectively filled his duties during the second half of the Terrapins' 69-64 loss to the Yellow Jackets in the ACC quarterfinals on Friday night.

Maryland cut a 16-point halftime deficit to two points, and did so with a press that helped force 16 of Georgia Tech's 25 turnovers in the second half. The Yellow Jackets entered the game averaging 16.1 turnovers per game.

"That's probably the best it's worked all year," Milbourne said. "Especially in a critical time like tonight. We needed it. It really helped us get back into the game."

Georgia Tech forward Zachery Peacock said the Yellow Jackets were rushing and that they felt pressure because their "season was on the line." When the big halftime lead started to dissipate, their players became nervous before starting to figure out how to take the ball past half court. Georgia Tech guard Iman Shumpert called Maryland's defense "nothing special," labeling it little more than an aggressive trap. However, it clearly affected the Yellow Jackets' decision-making and ability to enter into a set offense.

"They got us sped up, making rush decisions," Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal said. "We didn't take the time pass faking, really attacking, dribble through it."

Five of the Yellow Jackets' turnovers came in the first three minutes in the second half, when Maryland first introduced the press. Both Milbourne and guard Greivis Vasquez had five steals, and Sean Mosley accounted for four. Four of Milbourne's steals and all of Mosley's steals came in the second half, when Maryland entered the press. Mosley observed Georgia Tech appearing tentative with their decision-making and struggling to make the correct pass.

Milbourne is the one designated with the most responsibility in the defense. He's relied upon to defend the inbounder and trap whoever receives the ball.

It is a position well suited for Milbourne, according to Terrapins forward Jordan Williams, because "he's very athletic, jumps high, gets in the way, and is always yelling." He added that Milbourne becomes "intimidating" when he assumes the role.

"Try to distract him, try to move my hands as fast as I could, and when he passes the ball inbound, try to get a good trap and make him turn the ball over," Milbourne said of his role. "Our press worked pretty well. We got a lot of turnovers out of it. It definitely helped us get back in the game." 

Maryland Coach Gary Williams said the difference in the second half was the team's effort more than any buttons he pressed. Mosley said that the press only works if the team is "flying around," and that was the byproduct of starting the second half with intensity that was lacking in the first half.

"We are down 16; what are you guys going to do?" Mosley said Williams told the team at halftime. The defense worked enough to induce a dramatic final minute, which was its purpose after halftime.

"We knew we had to cut the lead down," Mosley said, "but we just couldn't get over the hump."