If You're Watching, Denver-Maryland

Denver at No. 7 Maryland
Where: Noon, Byrd Stadium.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: WJFK AM-1300
Tickets: $10 adult, $5 student.
Parking: Free

What to Watch if You're a Casual Fan:
The time change and early start I think will be big problems for Denver. It will have its pregame meal at what seems to be 6 a.m. And the game will start at 10 a.m. Mountain time. Remember, Maryland isn't the team against which to start slow: The Terrapins are 9-0 when they lead after the first quarter, 0-5 when they trail after the first quarter.

Watch how much energy the Pioneers have, especially early. When they played the Terrapins in the first round in 2006, they trailed 6-0 at the end of the first quarter in a 16-8 loss.

What to Watch: Young Player
Denver likes to double-team the ball with its goalie. It's an unusual tactic: Towson used it in the second half against Virginia, with varying success. Maryland freshman Ryan Young (team-high 17 assists) is one of the fastest players on the team, yet he enters with no assists in his past four games. I'd be careful of double-teaming him because of his speed. If he gets an assist early, it will do wonders for his confidence.

Yet if the field is wet and muddy, that may help Denver. See how Maryland's players address the double-team. Do they try and pass? Split the defenders? Which players come up with the groundballs? Do the off-ball offensive players cut toward the goal?

What to Watch: Ardent Fan
Canadian players have long been considered one-handed players. That might be the case with Denver's Canadian trio of Jamie Lincoln (#44, 47 goals), Cliff Smith (#27, 25 goals) and Ilija Gajic (#9, 12 goals, 12 assists).

If Maryland is not in a zone, watch how the man-to-man defenders attack these three. See if they try and take away the dominant hand.

If Maryland is in a zone, watch off-ball, particularly Lincoln and Smith. The other trait most Canadian players have is that the ball does not need to be in their sticks very long for them to get a shot on goal.

Don't forget that three Canadians have come up big against Maryland in its recent history. Cayle Ratcliffe scored four goals in UMBC's 13-9 victory over Maryland in the NCAA tournament last year. Virginia junior Garrett Billings scored four goals in an 11-8 victory over the Terps in an ACC semifinal late last month. And Duke's Zack Greer scored four goals in an 18-9 victory over Maryland in a Final Four game in 2005.

By Christian Swezey |  May 9, 2008; 11:06 PM ET
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Posted by: Dave Block | May 10, 2008 1:15 AM

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