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Diamond Stone might find ‘All Eyes on Me’ in follow-up vs. Northwestern Diamond Stone might find ‘All Eyes on Me’ in follow-up vs. Northwestern
(about 2 hours later)
The name of Diamond Stone’s prolific Twitter account has long been “All Eyes on Me,” which was an appropriate way to describe the 18-year-old’s evening Wednesday. A sellout crowd at Xfinity Center was chanting his name after his 39-point, 12-rebound tour de force in Maryland’s comeback win over Penn State. Yet the freshman center never preened in front of the cameras during the historic night, nor did he beat his chest about it after the game.The name of Diamond Stone’s prolific Twitter account has long been “All Eyes on Me,” which was an appropriate way to describe the 18-year-old’s evening Wednesday. A sellout crowd at Xfinity Center was chanting his name after his 39-point, 12-rebound tour de force in Maryland’s comeback win over Penn State. Yet the freshman center never preened in front of the cameras during the historic night, nor did he beat his chest about it after the game.
He wasn’t the first player mentioned by Maryland Coach Mark Turgeon during the postgame news conference. Stone’s teammates seemed casual in their comments as they described his numbers — the most points scored in a game by a Maryland freshman, eclipsing Joe Smith’s mark of 33 set in 1993, and program records for most free throws made (19) and attempted (25) in a game.He wasn’t the first player mentioned by Maryland Coach Mark Turgeon during the postgame news conference. Stone’s teammates seemed casual in their comments as they described his numbers — the most points scored in a game by a Maryland freshman, eclipsing Joe Smith’s mark of 33 set in 1993, and program records for most free throws made (19) and attempted (25) in a game.
[Stone’s dominant game rallies Maryland past Penn State][Stone’s dominant game rallies Maryland past Penn State]
The most astonishing part of Stone’s performance was that it was almost expected, even from some whom watched their records broken by the freshman in just his 13th college game. The most astonishing part of Stone’s performance was that it was almost expected, even from some who watched their records broken by the freshman in just his 13th college game.
“He played, really, within his game,” said Tom McMillen, the college basketball Hall of Famer who previously held Maryland’s record for free throws made with 17 in 1971.“He played, really, within his game,” said Tom McMillen, the college basketball Hall of Famer who previously held Maryland’s record for free throws made with 17 in 1971.
A friend called McMillen on Wednesday to inform him that his record was no longer intact, but the Maryland legend is less concerned with his past and more intrigued by Stone’s future. How the youngster will follow his breakout will be a focus as fourth-ranked Maryland plays its first Big Ten road game Saturday night at Northwestern (13-1, 1-0), which is off to its best start in 85 years and has replaced an injured big man with an intriguing freshman of its own.A friend called McMillen on Wednesday to inform him that his record was no longer intact, but the Maryland legend is less concerned with his past and more intrigued by Stone’s future. How the youngster will follow his breakout will be a focus as fourth-ranked Maryland plays its first Big Ten road game Saturday night at Northwestern (13-1, 1-0), which is off to its best start in 85 years and has replaced an injured big man with an intriguing freshman of its own.
Stone will come off the bench again Saturday night, continuing his work as the most high-profile sixth man in the country. It’s a label he has grown to embrace after Turgeon pulled Stone from the starting lineup six games ago in a move largely geared to keep the freshman out of early foul trouble. It has paid off. Stone, who is averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, has scored in double figures in six straight games and has largely been able to avoid first-half fouls, which were a major issue early in the season.Stone will come off the bench again Saturday night, continuing his work as the most high-profile sixth man in the country. It’s a label he has grown to embrace after Turgeon pulled Stone from the starting lineup six games ago in a move largely geared to keep the freshman out of early foul trouble. It has paid off. Stone, who is averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, has scored in double figures in six straight games and has largely been able to avoid first-half fouls, which were a major issue early in the season.
Turgeon said Friday that Stone’s performance against Penn State has not added any pressure to reinsert him into the starting lineup — junior center Damonte Dodd will start again Saturday — although that could change as the season progresses.Turgeon said Friday that Stone’s performance against Penn State has not added any pressure to reinsert him into the starting lineup — junior center Damonte Dodd will start again Saturday — although that could change as the season progresses.
“I’ve got to keep [Stone] out of foul trouble. I think it helps him coming off the bench. He started the second half” against Penn State, Turgeon said. “Obviously that was big. He played starter’s minutes. He finished the game. That’s really what is important.”“I’ve got to keep [Stone] out of foul trouble. I think it helps him coming off the bench. He started the second half” against Penn State, Turgeon said. “Obviously that was big. He played starter’s minutes. He finished the game. That’s really what is important.”
Turgeon was almost more excited to watch the film review of Stone’s defensive performance against Penn State. While the freshman has long been known to have an advanced offensive skill set for his age, he has struggled with the steep learning curve at the other end. Even though he is still learning how to chase smaller players and guard ball-screens in particular, Stone’s progress on the defensive end provided a spark for his dominance on offense Wednesday.Turgeon was almost more excited to watch the film review of Stone’s defensive performance against Penn State. While the freshman has long been known to have an advanced offensive skill set for his age, he has struggled with the steep learning curve at the other end. Even though he is still learning how to chase smaller players and guard ball-screens in particular, Stone’s progress on the defensive end provided a spark for his dominance on offense Wednesday.
[A closer look at Stone’s record night][A closer look at Stone’s record night]
The most emblematic sequence came with Maryland trailing by five with a little less than five minutes remaining. After swatting a shot off the backboard with his left hand, Stone ran the length of the floor and trailed point guard Melo Trimble’s drive into the lane. After Trimble missed an off-balance layup off the backboard, Stone cleaned it up with a two-handed slam.The most emblematic sequence came with Maryland trailing by five with a little less than five minutes remaining. After swatting a shot off the backboard with his left hand, Stone ran the length of the floor and trailed point guard Melo Trimble’s drive into the lane. After Trimble missed an off-balance layup off the backboard, Stone cleaned it up with a two-handed slam.
“I think as he’s getting in better condition, he’s learning how to play at both ends,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said in a telephone interview. “His work rate has had to increase. He’s done it quickly and gotten into really, really good condition, and that will continue to improve. I think his maturation as a player has been really, really good. They’ve brought him along the right way.”“I think as he’s getting in better condition, he’s learning how to play at both ends,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said in a telephone interview. “His work rate has had to increase. He’s done it quickly and gotten into really, really good condition, and that will continue to improve. I think his maturation as a player has been really, really good. They’ve brought him along the right way.”
Stone said last week that he was looking forward to facing players his size on a more consistent basis in league play, although he won’t have a chance to see Northwestern’s Alex Olah on Saturday. Olah, a 7-foot senior from Romania who is considered one of the Big Ten’s best big men, has a foot injury and is out indefinitely.Stone said last week that he was looking forward to facing players his size on a more consistent basis in league play, although he won’t have a chance to see Northwestern’s Alex Olah on Saturday. Olah, a 7-foot senior from Romania who is considered one of the Big Ten’s best big men, has a foot injury and is out indefinitely.
In his place, Wildcats Coach Chris Collins has unveiled a new option. Dererk Pardon, a 6-8 freshman center who sat out the season’s first 12 games as an expected redshirt until Olah was injured, racked up 28 points and 12 rebounds off the bench Wednesday as Northwestern won its conference opener, 81-72, at Nebraska. The Wildcats also have a talented point guard in sophomore Bryant McIntosh, who ranks ninth nationally with 6.9 assists per game.In his place, Wildcats Coach Chris Collins has unveiled a new option. Dererk Pardon, a 6-8 freshman center who sat out the season’s first 12 games as an expected redshirt until Olah was injured, racked up 28 points and 12 rebounds off the bench Wednesday as Northwestern won its conference opener, 81-72, at Nebraska. The Wildcats also have a talented point guard in sophomore Bryant McIntosh, who ranks ninth nationally with 6.9 assists per game.
But all eyes Saturday certainly will be on Stone, who is just the fourth Big Ten player in two decades to record at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in a game.But all eyes Saturday certainly will be on Stone, who is just the fourth Big Ten player in two decades to record at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in a game.
“I’m a pretty humble kid,” Stone said after Wednesday’s game, “so that’s just out the window.”“I’m a pretty humble kid,” Stone said after Wednesday’s game, “so that’s just out the window.”