Maryland Basketball: Damonte Dodd has complete game
When Robert Carter Jr. and Diamond Stone left the program in the offseason, it was clear that Damonte Dodd would have an increased role.
After an up-and-down start to the 2016-17 season, Dodd had arguably his best performance against Oklahoma State on Saturday evening.
In Maryland’s 71-70 win, Dodd excelled in all facets of the game. The Eastern Shore native scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked three shots, and stayed out of foul trouble.
Dodd was a very efficient five-of-nine from the field and provided the Terps with several key baskets down the stretch. He scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half as Maryland erased a 43-35 halftime deficit.
Dodd was very active around the rim on both ends of the floor.
With 9:58 remaining in the game, Dodd grabbed a huge defensive rebound off a miss by Lucas N’Guessan. On the ensuing trip down the floor, Jaylen Brantley got the ball behind the arc and was looking to make a move into the lane.
However, as Brantley as began to drive, Dodd cut right to the rim and Brantley hit him in stride and Dodd slammed it home with two hands.
Dodd really displayed his ability to finish strong at the rim.
Just over two minutes later, Melo Trimble grabbed a long offensive rebound off a Jeffrey Carroll missed three. Trimble elected to drive much like Brantley on the earlier possession.
At the last second, he delivered a bounce pass to Dodd in a very tight window. Dodd nearly grabbed the ball away from N’Guessan and laid it in and was fouled in the process.
Dodd was almost like a man on a mission against the Cowboys. On nearly all of his shot attempts, he was very aggressive and looked like he was determined to score.
The senior center also did a spectacular job protecting the rim for the Terps.
With 4:09 left in the second half, Phil Forte III, who had burnt Maryland from beyond the arc throughout the game, decided to drive to the basket. Forte blew by his defender and tried to convert a reverse layup right in front of Dodd.
Dodd certainly wasn’t having any of that as he completely swatted Forte’s shot out of bounds.
This was easily the most impressive game this season for Dodd. It’s also worth noting that L.G. Gill bounced back after playing just a single minute against Pittsburgh.
Gill added seven points and three rebounds off the bench. It was extremely important because Michal Cekovsky only played nine minutes and didn’t score.
Over the last few games, the Terps have gotten a different contributor in the frontcourt. If that can continue, Maryland is definitely going to be in great shape when Big Ten play rolls around.
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