Back in the Saddle December 12th
Gregory’s suspension may end up being a blessing in disguise for the Terps since Jordan Williams and James Padgett have received significant playing time in his absence. The freshmen have seized the opportunity and played well in their first two Div. I games. However, the schedule will get more difficult going forward and Maryland will need Gregory back in the rotation. Gregory runs the floor well and is an active rebounder and shotblocker. Dino also has invaluable ACC experience.
My first impression is that Jordan Williams has soft hands around the basket and will give MD an improved half court option in the post. Williams reminds me of a young Lonny Baxter. Padgett plays like a stereotypical New Yorker and displayed a rugged attitude and aggressiveness. However, he is raw on offense and will need to develop his shooting touch.
Maryland has experience and depth in the backcourt with Vasquez, Hayes, Mosley, Bowie, and Tucker. If Gregory, Williams, and Padgett can work together to give the Terps some consistency and balance up front, the ceiling of potential could be very high for this Maryland team. Maryland was the worst rebounding team in the ACC last year and lacked size and toughness up front. The Terps will miss Dave Neal’s step out three point shot, but should get better production in the paint with their current trio.
Hybrid wingman Landon Milbourne could end up being the X factor for the Terps this year. If Milbourne is able to consistently hit the mid range jumpshot it will open up driving lanes for the Terp guards and interior space for the Terp bigmen.
Maryland welcomes New Hampshire into the Comcast Center tonight before heading to Hawaii for the 2009 Maui Invitational. Maryland will play host Chaminade and the winner of Cincinnati/Vanderbilt. I know Maryland fans would love to see the Terps match up against Cincinnati and former Terp recruit Lance Stephenson. The other side of the draw includes Gonzaga, Colorado, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Things won’t get any easier for the Terps when they return home from Maui. Maryland will play Indiana in Bloomington in the ACC/Big Ten challenge and 5th ranked Villanova at the Verizon Center in the BB&T Tournament.
Breaking news: Terp recruit and blue chip senior Tobias Harris has committed to Tennessee. Harris would have been the highest rated recruit to attend Maryland during the Gary Williams era. Typical.
Woodman – Terp Alum Class of 1995
Filed under: Basketball, Terps Tagged: | dino gregory, maryland basketball, maui invitational, Terps, Vasquez
Call me crazy, but I think Milbourne has the most potential of anyone on this Terps team. If he can find some level of consistency he will be a huge factor in their success.
agreed. But he has to step up and realize this potential. He is a senior so he is running out of time. That is why he is the X factor for the Terps. If he could be a 2nd team All-ACC player, Maryland could win the ACC this year.
The Terps will miss Dave Neal’s step out three point shot! That’s funny.