During Maryland's seven games prior to its 73-59 loss to Pittsburgh Nov. 29 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, star junior guard Melo Trimble had taken 62 free throws. For a Terps team that won five games by six points or fewer, Trimble's ability to get to the line, particularly late in games, was vital.
Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings' top priority coming into the game was keeping Trimble in check. Not long after Maryland got off to a hot start -- the Terps jumped out to a 6-0 lead and led 11-7 at the first media timeout -- Stallings went to a 3-2 zone. He stuck with it for much of the game, shifting back to man-to-man from time to time.
Pitt's defense keyed a 45-24 halftime lead for the Panthers, as Maryland (7-1) went ice cold from the outside and allowed Pitt to get out in transition. Though the Terps got hot late in the game against the Panthers' zone -- they reduced a 25-point deficit in the second half to eight in part due to solid 3-point shooting -- the zone had its desired effect.
