Greivis Vasquez played like an all-american

Greivis Vasquez proved today that he is one of the best players in the ACC.

I really went out on a limb with that one, huh?

I mean, his numbers speak for themselves; averaging 17.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 6.2 apg will make you the best player on a lot of teams.

Over his last six games, he has been even better, posting 24.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 6.3 apg while shooting 54% from the floor as the Terps bounced back from a rocky start to go 5-1 over that stretch.

But for Vasquez, the numbers have always been there. The talent's always been there. For four years now, ACC coaches have known that in order to beat Maryland, you have to find a way to slow down the flamboyant and versatile Venezuelan.

Easier said than done.

Greivis Vasquez scored 17 second half points as the Terps knocked off Florida State.
(photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

Since his sophomore season, Vasquez has not averaged less than 17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, or 5.0 apg. That's impressive, there is no doubt about that. But what gets lost in looking at points and rebounds and assists is efficiency and the ability to play within a system.

And early in his career, that's where Vasquez struggled. As a sophomore, Vasquez averaged 4.4 turnovers per game. As a junior, he shot just 40.5% from the floor and averaged a career-low 1.14 PPS. None of those numbers are ideal for a player that plays as big of a role as Vasquez does for the Terps.

Greivis has a knack for the spectacular, the ability to make the pass or the shot that ends up on Sportscenter's top 10. Too often in the past, Vasquez would try to rely on that ability, attempting the sensational when the simple was just as effective and much more successful. Too often, Vasquez would take an opponent focusing their defense on him as a challenge. Too often, his attempts to carry the Terps on his back would result in him driving the Terps into the ground.

But Vasquez has matured as player, (Not necessarily as a person, although we at BIAH hope he never does. The two shimmies we got from him tonight were classic.) and tonight was the perfect example.

Last season, when Maryland went to Tallahassee, Vasquez had arguably his worst game as a collegian. He scored just 6 points on 2-13 shooting while turning the ball over 5 times before fouling out in overtime. Maryland ended up losing the game.

Tonight, knowing the Seminole defense was keying in on him, Vasquez had no problem spreading the ball around. Instead of forcing a tough floater or pull-up in the lane, he would kick the ball out when he drew an extra defender. Instead of looking to beat his man one-on-one from the top of the key, he would keep the ball moving around the perimeter. Maryland headed into the break up 41-27, which may have been their best half of basketball on the season.

"In the first half, I think Greivis Vasquez really showed his maturity," Maryland head coach Gary Williams said after the game. "He had a very tough game down at Florida State last year, and he was really looking to get the ball to other people because they were putting quite a few people on him when he drove."

In the second half, Florida State made a run. After a Greivis Vasquez three point play put Maryland up 46-31, the Noles would go on a 14-2 run, getting the lead all the way down to 48-45.

That's when Vasquez took over. With the score 51-47, Vasquez hit a three, scored on a short jumper in the paint, found Eric Hayes for another three, and then capped the 11-2 run by knocking down a three on a 3-on-2 break to give the Terps a commanding 62-49 lead.

Overall, Vasquez had 17 second half points.

The most impressive part of it?

Only one time during the entire second half did I say to myself "Greivis is forcing it."

Greivis attacked when he had the chance and made the most of his open looks as he carried a Terrapins team in danger of blowing a double digit lead at home to a win over a ranked conference opponent. And he did it while playing within the Maryland offense.

"I'll put Greivis with anybody in terms of what he brings overall to a team during a game situation," Williams said. "I'm proud of him."

"But I expect him to play like this. He's that type of player."