This Shell Game Baffles Stanford

Maryland blew a 10-point lead against Duke in the final 54 seconds on Jan. 27, but Saturday was not Jan. 27.

Saturday, third-seeded Maryland blew the SAT scores off No. 1 Stanford, 87-73, then blew a few Final Four kisses after winning the West Regional final before 17,979 at the Arrowhead Pond.

On a day when Maryland shot 58% from the field, made nine of 13 three-pointers, saw 6-foot-8 center Lonny Baxter maneuver over-through-around the Collins twins for 24 points and received a windfall, 14-point outburst from reserve forward Tahj Holden--he averaged only four points a game--Stanford fans could only do some wishful thinking.

With the Cardinal trailing by 11 points and 1:21 left, a fan screamed to Stanford Coach Mike Montgomery, “Hey Monty, just like the Duke game.”

It was a reference to Maryland’s infamous last-minute collapse, the nadir in a season that could have turned on that sour overtime loss at home. The Duke-loss hangover led to four defeats in the Terrapins’ next five games.

“This could have gone a different direction,” Maryland Coach Gary Williams said of the season in which the Terrapins reached the Final Four for the first time.

Instead, all roads lead to Minneapolis and a rematch in the national semifinals againstAtlantic Coast Conference nemesis Duke.

The Blue Devils have won two of three previous meetings this season.

Some thought Maryland (25-10) needed to play a perfect game to beat Stanford, which finished 31-3 and suffered its first road defeat, and darned if the Terrapins didn’t play one.

Maryland had every base and player covered.

Baxter vs. the Collins twins, Jason and Jarron?

It was a mismatch, but not the way most people expected.

Baxter used his bulk and a variety of post moves and touch shots to dominate his much taller defenders.

“I saw they weren’t moving their feet in the first half, so I just kept going at them,” said Baxter, named the West Regional most outstanding player.

He finished with 24 points, three more than the 21 Jason and Jarron Collins combined to score.

“He has uncanny touch,” Montgomery said of Baxter.

Stanford was out of sorts from the outset. It must have felt like a state fair trip through fun-house mirrors.

The Cardinal entered the game shooting 51% from the field. Saturday, it shot 41.1%.

Stanford held opponents to 42.2% shooting this year. Maryland shot 58.2% and an astounding 69.2% on three-point attempts.

You think it wasn’t one of those days?

Ryan Mendez missed two free throws after missing only five in previous 33 previous games.

Stanford’s NCAA tournament run was powerful but always precarious. The Cardinal did not have the bench to weather foul trouble and a talented team that goes 10-deep.

“Ultimately, it’s going to catch up to you,” Montgomery said.

It did. Jason Collins spent considerable first-half time on the bench after picking up his second foul with 13:16 left, and Maryland kept attacking Stanford with waves of players.

Eight Terrapin players played 17 minutes or more.

Williams brilliantly alternated Byron Mouton and Danny Miller on Stanford star Casey Jacobsen.

“Both had the size and quickness to stay with a player as good as Jacobsen,” Williams said.

Williams didn’t ask either player to score--Mouton finished without a point while Miller only had two--he needed the players to stop Jacobsen from scoring.

They held Jacobsen to four baskets in 11 shots.

“I felt like I was double-teamed every time I saw the light of day off a screen,” said Jacobsen, who finished with 14 points.

Stanford never saw another lead after a Mendez free throw put the Cardinal up, 25-23, with 6:51 left in the half.

Just before intermission, Holden made a three-pointer to give Maryland a 10-point halftime lead.

“Those are the kind of plays that take a lot out of you,” Montgomery said of the shot.

Stanford went on a 7-0 blitz to start the second half, cutting the lead to three, but Maryland quickly called time and restored order.

Baxter was fouled inside by Mendez on a basket and made the free throw to put Maryland up by six. Next time down, Juan Dixon stuck a three-point shot in Stanford’s face. Next time down, Steve Blake sank a three-pointer and the lead was back to 12.

Stanford never got closer than nine.

“We got in too big of hole,” Jacobsen said. “At no point in that game did we have control. We were just playing catch-up.”

Mendez led Stanford with 18 points. Dixon had 17 for Maryland, and Terence Morris finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Three Stanford starters--Jarron Collins, Michael McDonald and Mendez--played their final collegiate game.

“It’s amazing I’m not going to practice with these guys anymore,” said McDonald, who finished his career with 12 points and seven assists after being held scoreless Thursday against Cincinnati.

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WEST REGIONAL

All for One, One for All

Maryland, headed to its first Final Four, is a team in the truest sense of the word, Diane Pucin writes. D5

Stanford Turns Turtle

The percentages finally caught up with Stanford, which shot a season-low 41.1% to 58.2% for Maryland. D4

Maryland Canning Co.

Dispelling the notion the Pond is a tough venue to shoot in, the Terrapins made nine of 13 three-point shots. D4

GAME REPORT: D4

BOX SCORE: D4

SEASON LOG: D4