[NCarmean18Participant]

Sam Maniscalco scored 24 points, Brandon Paul had 17 and undefeated Illinois pulled away to a 71-62 victory over Maryland on Tuesday night in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

The Fighting Illini (7-0) trailed at halftime and led by only one point with 8 minutes left before Maniscalco knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in a 10-2 run that proved too difficult for the feisty Terrapins to overcome.

Terrell Stoglin scored 25 for Maryland (3-3) and James Padgett had 16. The Terrapins had won six straight in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and were riding a 13-game home winning streak against nonconference opponents.

But Maryland, playing its first season under coach Mark Turgeon, gave the Illini all they could handle before fading down the stretch.

Illinois trailed 41-37 before Paul scored on a drive and Maniscalco hit a 3-pointer to give the Illini their first lead since 2-0. Nnanna Egwu followed with a layup and Tyler Griffey popped a jumper from deep in the corner to make it 47-41 and seal the 10-point run.

After the lead dwindled to 51-50, Maniscalco scored from beyond the arc with 7:45 left. The 6-foot guard popped another 3 with 5:28 remaining to make it 59-52, and although the Terrapins closed to five points in the final minute, they couldn’t complete the comeback.

Maryland limited the Illini to 40 percent shooting and held a 17-15 edge on the boards in taking a 35-31 halftime lead. The margin might have been more if the Terrapins didn’t miss seven of 15 free throws.

Padgett scored Maryland’s opening six points, and Illinois missed seven of its first eight shots while the Terrapins took an 8-2 lead. Minutes later, Sean Mosley drilled a 3-pointer to cap a 7-2 spurt that made it 20-11.

After Paul scored five points in a 9-0 run that tied it, Stoglin scored Maryland’s next nine points — including a pair of 3-pointers and a pull-up jumper in the lane — for a 29-23 cushion. It was 30-25 before follow-shots by Padgett and Berend Weijs rebuilt the Terrapins’ lead to nine.

The win was the Bruce Weber’s 200th at Illinois. He is now 200-86 (.699) in his ninth season with the Fighting Illini.

Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_JwsrjO2tg&feature=feedu

[omphalosParticipant]

I caught this game earlier today, and it was a lot more fun to watch than OSU vs Duke. One thing Doris Burke pointed out which I actually agree with is that Meyers Leonard complains to the referee too much and should toughen up.

That said, Leonard had a spectacular near dunk where he just exploded to the rim and missed the landing, but that sort of athleticism and handle from a 7-footer makes me believe this kid could be special.

Meyers also had a sequence down the stretch were he blocked a shot under the basket and then blocked a three point attempt on a switch on the next play. He did a good job not biting on fakes and I like his timing protecting the rim. Showed a few decent post moves and was active off the ball setting screens, but the Illini need to feed him in the post a bit more, they have a lot of perimeter players who love to penetrate themselves too much and ignore the big guy.

Remains to be seen how he’ll go against tougher competition at the 5, but Leonard should be a first round pick off potential and defensive ability alone.

[NCarmean18Participant]

Yeah, I obviously watched this game as well, and really payed attention to it because this was Meyers first real test against a semi-talented team in Maryland.  I will agree that he needs to get the ball more, and that he is still developing.  One thing I’d like to mention is his soft touch.  He has a very nice touch from around the rim, which is rare in a 7’1" center, especially one who likes to dunk the ball.  He’s not selfish, as instead of driving in and missing layups that involve contact, he does a variety of post moves and shoots leaners and turn around jumpers over people.  He is really impressive.  I’m hoping he returns next year so he can become the player I know he is capable of becoming.

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