Bob Haynie: The Terps And St. Louis Lose On Tuesday Night
The Maryland Terrapins traveled to Michigan knowing that they were going to have to defend the three-point shot and that the Wolverines were desperate to get themselves a big win. Michigan had lost three times to ranked teams this year by an average of 18 points. Mark Turgeon's Terps were very much aware of that fact.
In the end, the Wolverines got that big win at Crisler Center and ended 3rd-ranked Maryland's nine-game winning streak. For the Terps, who started 2015-16 with a best-ever 15-1 mark, it was a disappointing loss on a night in which star guard Melo Trimble had more turnovers (4) than points (2).
Duncan Robinson bombed away from deep as the Wolverines built an eight-point halftime advantage. The Terps, who trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, actually fought back to take the lead at 57-56. However, it wasn't to be their night as Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton made shot big shots down the stretch for Michigan.
Freshman Diamond Stone was strong in the paint with 22 points and 11 boards. Jake Layman also posted a double-double ( 18 points, 10 rebounds ) for Maryland. Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon only combined for 10 points as the Terps fell to 4-1 in the Big Ten.
Maryland will get a chance to bounce back against Ohio State on Saturday at the XFINITY Center. There is plenty of basketball left for the Turtles to play.
For the city of St. Louis, it was a permanent loss as NFL owners voted to let the Rams relocate to Los Angeles. This the second time that city has lost a franchise since 1988.
Think about that for a second.
St. Louis has lost TWO NFL teams since the Colts left Baltimore back in 1984.
Can you image the heartbreak that fan base is going through? Actually, I can.
I remember when the Colts left and it was heartbreaking and painful. I had a real hard time watching NFL football in '84. Not having a team to cheer for as your own gives you a distant feeling on Sundays. You can jump on a bandwagon, but it's not the same.
For St. Louis football followers of a certain age, this is the second time they will feel that pain. At some point, I would think some fans will just denounce football.
Could St. Louis get another team? Sure they could. Hell, the Raiders are still looking for a home.
After this latest setback, I don't know if I would want to deal with this gut-wrenching drama again.
BH
