DBR Preview - Maryland

[gw67]

I have a mild disagreement with the DBR pre-season assessment of Maryland. I’ve posted several times this past summer about Maryland’s chances next year and DBR’s assessment that they will probably blow some early games because of their youth and then come on stronger at the end of the year is probably on the mark. I see them finishing in the lower middle third of the ACC.

I agree with DBR that Gist and Vasquez will be the top players but I disagree with the statement that “But if Williams can identify a reliable guard to pair with Vasquez………..” IMO, the Terps have a reliable second guard, Eric Hayes. Hayes, like Vasquez and a number of other freshmen guards in the ACC, wore down late in the season. He averaged 23 mpg and prior to losing his legs late in the season he was a good passer and shooter, and the best guard since Blake for getting the team into their offense. Both he and Vasquez improved their defense markedly as the season progressed, using their height and long arms. One of the strengths of Maryland this coming season will be their two point-guard backcourt with Bowie and, perhaps Tucker, providing some relief.

The key to their season, IMO, will be the development of the young players, particularly Milbourne (who reminds me of UNC’s Terry as a soph) and at least three of their freshmen (Dupree, Bowie/Tucker and Walker/Gregory).

gw67

[riverside6]

I agree that DBR likely undersold the contribution that Eric Hayes (http://www.scacchoops.com/forms/tt_player_page.asp?hPlayer=323) and Landon Milbourne (http://www.scacchoops.com/forms/tt_player_page.asp?hPlayer=322) will make next season. Hayes was solid last year, and is eerily like Steve Blake, although he is a bit taller, and likely doesn't like Johnny Rockets as much.

As far as Milbourne goes, he is a freak athlete, and had some nice dunks in junk time last year. Milbourne played for the East Coast All-Stars (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/maryland_terps/blog/2007/08/landon_milbourne.html) this summer and averaged 13.6 PPG in the 7 game visit of Belgium and Holland. FWIW, here are the other players that were on that "all-star" team...

Alvin Bray (St. Joseph's), Steven D'Agostino (Saint Rose), Bryan Davis (Texas A&M), Anthony Farmer (Rutgers), Jaron Griffin (Rutgers), Brett Harvey (Loyola), Josh Linthicum (Bucknell), Zach Peacock (http://www.scacchoops.com/forms/tt_player_page.asp?hPlayer=288) (Georgia Tech), Rio Pitt (Stony Brook) and Perry Stevenson (Kentucky). Stony Brook assistant coach Guy Rancourt served as head coach on the tour.

[just_wondering]

Cliff Tucker can play 3 positions
James Gist has improved his outside shot and can play 3 positions
Braxton Dupree grew an inch bench presses 305 and has been pushing Osby around down low.
Dave Neal was still recuperating from shoulder surgery in August
Of the two walk-ons, Jason McAlpin and David Pearman, right now it is more likely that Jason McAlpin will see game time.

Maryland can put together a line-up that emphasizes guard play and a line-up that emphasizes inside play.

[Indoor66]

Cliff Tucker can play 3 positions
James Gist has improved his outside shot and can play 3 positions
Braxton Dupree grew an inch bench presses 305 and has been pushing Osby around down low.
Dave Neal was still recuperating from shoulder surgery in August
Of the two walk-ons, Jason McAlpin and David Pearman, right now it is more likely that Jason McAlpin will see game time.

Maryland can put together a line-up that emphasizes guard play and a line-up that emphasizes inside play.

...and they will still have Gary as the coach....

[hondoheel]

Terps just lost their top commitment for 2008:

http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=174&f=2580#s=174&f=2580&t=1064250

[Channing]

Apparently Terrance Jennings has reopened his recruitment (not sure if this is linked somewhere else)

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=&script=content.asp&cid=716930&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=

[just_wondering]

...and they will still have Gary as the coach....

Coach Williams is outstanding as a game-day coach and as a coach who gets the most out of his talent over the course of the season. College basketball, particularly ACC basketball, is so extremely difficult that he doesn't succeed at both all of the time. There are games that seemingly got away and teams that did not respond but on balance he is more successful than most of his peers.
I happen to believe that the personalities on this current team will respond to the demands of the coach in a very positive way.

[Buckeye Devil]

I have seen a license plate in recent days in my neighborhood here in NW Ohio that really bothers me. It is "MTERPS". I am afraid it is a permanent neighbor and I am thinking about how to drive him out. Any suggestions?

Gary Williams does get as much as he can out of his players. He proved that in the very short time he coached up here at Ohio State. I had season tickets back then and it was amazing to see how he won with very average talent. He proved that he could beat good teams with what he had by beating the likes of Michigan and Iowa which were very good back in the late 80's.

Regardless, I dread to see the Terps come up on the schedule every year.