The University of Maryland has received the verbal of 2011 SG Nick Faust. The local Baltimore (City College) product is ranked as a Top 25 recruit by all services.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/basketball/recruiting/player-Desmond-Hubert-87011

Assuming Faust follows through on his verbal, with his Letter of Intent next-month, we are looking at a 2010-11 roster as follows:

1) Howard, Gibbs
2) Faust, Stoglin
3) Mosley, Parker, Palsson
4) Padgett, Pankey
5) Williams, Weijs

Thoughts on Faust’s verbal:

1) You have to love the immediate positive dividends received from hiring Assistant Coach Bino Ranson. Ranson was brought in to help with Baltimore recruiting, and he has helped secure the best recruit in the area, and one of the best in the Nation.

1a) While Ranson will receive deserved accolades for this addition, the entire staff deserves credit as well.

2) Maryland has all of the components necessary for legitimate National title runs during the ’11-’12, and ’12-’13 seasons. The Terps are absolutely loaded at the guard and wing positions. There are positive options at PF, and Center is obviously locked with Williams. Plus the Front-Court will gain further depth with another signing or two for this class.

3) The Terps have multiple positive options existing for Front-Court additions with Baru, Space, Lewis, and Hubert. Get any of the two of them and you have inked a very strong class.

Baru
http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=4914407

Space
http://rivals.yahoo.com/texashoops/basketball/recruiting/player-Antwan-Space-99381

Lewis
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/recruiting/2010/06/st_frances_greg_lewis_holds_his_own_at_top_100_camp.html

Hubert
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/basketball/recruiting/player-Desmond-Hubert-87011

4) I think the arrival of Faust only makes it more likely that Jordan Williams stays a Terp for the duration of his eligibility. Maybe the lure of NBA dollars will get him at some-point, but unless he is projected as a Lottery pick after his Sophomore or Junior seasons, I think he will return.

5) I listed Faust as the starter at the 2G above, but clearly that will not be a foregone conclusion. Stoglin could push him, or Parker and Mosley could share the 2 and 3 positions.

6) Maryland is going to be noticeably more athletic in 2010-11 vs. the previous couple of seasons. That is only to be increased when Faust arrives.

7) It is funny how things work out. If Terrence Ross had honored his verbal to Maryland last-year, the Terps would not have brought Howard on-board. As excellent as Ross figures to be, Howard appears to be a positive addition in his own right. Howard figures to get plenty of playing time this year at the PG position, which is something Ross was not going to help with. Ross’s minutes would have primarily been at the 2G position, and if that had occurred; Faust may not have wanted to sign with Maryland.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

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.

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