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Having watched them all year, MD was a young and mentally immature team that got by on some luck and talent early to get some big wins, and only gradually learned how to play ball in a tough conference. Gary Williams did a great job keeping his players focussed and bringing them along even though losses were piling up. MD has tons of talent, but players made a lot of bonehead plays in the early part of the ACC season against experienced teams at critical times during games. They almost put themselves in that situation against Duke, going down 12 with 4 to play.
And yes, there is always an element of luck in any one and done tournament. If Reddick hits the open look in regulation, we have a whole different set of facts. Every coach that wins an NCAA tournament will tell you that. Win one overtime game and a one-point game in the same tournament, you have to have some luck and a lot of skill.
You cannot win a quality tournament on luck alone - you need the skill and mental awareness to take advantage of the breaks that go your way. MD is winning the close games now, and that is critical at this point in the season. Two months ago they were losing these same games. But a little bad luck in a close game or hitting a really hot team, and MD will be out in the NCAAs, just like every other team.
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