Landon Milbourne has started in 64 of the last 68 games played for the University of Maryland, and is back for his Senior season.
The 6’7, 207 lb forward from Roswell, GA has improved every-year since joining the Terps out of Oak Hill Academy.
In his Freshman season, Milbourne had 0 starts, and only got in 16 games averaging 1pt per game.
In his Sophomore year, Milbourne started 29 games, and saw his minutes jump to 25 per game. With 6.5 FGA attempts per game, his scoring average climbed to 8.2 per-game. Despite getting a fair-amount of help-defense blocks, Milbourne received a fair amount of criticism for his defense.
With a lack of front-court options going into his Junior year, Milbourne moved from his natural SF position to the 4. Battling bigger, stronger guys day-in-day-out in the ACC, Milbourne more than held his own.
His numbers increased across the board:
Career high in mts per game at 29
Career high in FG % at 49.1
Career high in FT% at 83.3
Career high in scoring at 11.2
Career high in rebounds at 5.2
Career high in steals at 1.1
Career high in blocks at 1.0
In the 35 game 2008-09 season, Milbourne scored in double-figures 19 times.
Best game – 23pts, 6 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal vs VaTech
Runner-up – 20pts, 8 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals, 4 blocks vs GW
He has the above the rim athleticism that brings fans out of their seats, and can get him a look at the next-level.
He is also an under-rated shooter, as he averaged 39.3% from 3 as a Soph, and 35% from 3 as a Junior.
With Vasquez back, Milbourne can again expect to receive most of his mtsat the PF position. It will be interesting to see if he can be even more consistent than he was as a Junior.
It is my belief, that by March last year, Milbourne had little left in the tank. In 8 March games, he averaged just 5.75 ppg, and 4.1 boards a game. After scoring 19pts in each of the first two games against Duke, he scored just 2 pts in the ACC Semi-Final against the Devils.
Based on that, Milbourne might be anticipating the arrival of Freshman James Padgett more than anyone else. Padgett apparently has limitations with his offensive game, but has the size, strength, and athleticism to bang against the bigger PF’s in the ACC. Having Padgett around as an option for reserve minutes at the 4 (joining Gregory and Burney) can only help Milbourne maximize the mts he has on the court.
I anticipate Milbourne getting minutes closer to his Sophomore averages in 2009-10, but expect his scoring will again increase.
Here are some links to previous highlights from Milbourne:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHDLJhFTG-g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R03UcKh8KQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glkb_pA9Ync&feature=related
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.