The sounds of another Maryland loss were amplified more than usual Saturday, a function simply of playing a game in the grand basketball cathedral known as the Palestra.
Smart, but not smart enough. Better defensively, just not quite to the level necessary. The ability to keep things curious, but not quite to the finish.
Maryland gamely survived Florida State's attempt to bully it throughout the first half Tuesday night. A quick burst just after the break was quite another matter.
Alex Len's initial impact on Maryland's basketball fortunes came at both ends of the floor.
Mark Turgeon offered a consistent mantra throughout the first two months of his debut season as the Maryland men's basketball coach: The Terrapins had a long way to go on defense.
Maryland's conference opener Sunday night reinforced the two realities coach Mark Turgeon must balance in his first season in College Park.
Interspersed between his usual candid assessments of players and his program, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon balked Tuesday when the opportunity to take stock of the Terrapins was offered.
Maryland faced a sink-or-swim moment Tuesday night at Comcast Center.
So that is what it's like to play from a huge lead.
