BALTIMORE, Maryland November 27, 2015 - Over the course of three consecutive games, the talent-packed, No. 2 ranked University of Maryland Basketball Team laid down a dangerous precedent. No matter which team, or what kind of team, Maryland was matched up with, the Terps seemed determined to spot their opponent a sizable lead while playing poorly - and from behind - until the closing minutes of the game. Then, and only then, would Maryland display the talent and cohesiveness that most pundits expect from them every time they take the floor. In all three games, this late display was enough to earn them a victory, but no team that plays like that on a consistent basis will be successful over the long haul. Wednesday night in Cancun, Mexico, Maryland was matched up with a talented Rhode Island team in a game that would decide the champion of the Cancun Challenge. Many thought that Maryland would not be able to pull off a win with only a five minute spurt of quality basketball.
Maryland fans were foolish to worry. Instead of waiting for the waning minutes to put together a display of impressive basketball, the Terps broke from the opening whistle with their best game so far, and before the first half was at its mid-point, Rhode Island was finished. The final score was Maryland 86, Rhode Island 63, and anyone who watched the game knows, it wasn't that close.
It is apparent that Maryland's starting back court of sophmore Melo Trimble and Senior Rhasheed Sulaimon is the best in the NCAA. Rhode Island will certainly agree. Against the over-matched Rams, Trimble was 7 for 7 from the floor, while his backcourt mate, Sulaimon, was 6 of 7. Both finished with 17 points, and they had plenty of help from Robert Carter, Jr., who finished with 18 points, Diamond Stone, who had 10, Jake Layman, who scored 9, and Jared Nickens, who chipped in 10 points. With the win, Maryland improved to 5-0.
Maryland's lead was in double figures before the game was five minutes old. Even though Rhode Island has a strong and talented front line, they were no match for Maryland's inside attack on a night that Stone managed to keep away from foul trouble. Carter was also strong inside, grabbing 9 rebounds. Stone had five boards.
The Terps returned to College Park on Thanksgiving Day and will host Cleveland State Saturday Night. On Tuesday, Maryland collides with North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Terps also host St. Francis and Maryland-Eastern Shore, play Connecticut at Madison Square Garden in New York and Princeton in Baltimore, all before Christmas. The Big Ten Network will televise Saturday's game, while ESPN will carry the game against North Carolina.
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