This past week we put out our University of Maryland Terrapins (and College Basketball) preview. In that article Raphielle Johnson (NBC Sports), and Matt Norlander (CBS Sports) gave some of their opinions on the Terps. Today, we give some thoughts of our own.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Quick Hits:

1) Maryland was abysmal on the Offensive Boards last year (295th overall).  Robert Carter and Diamond Stone are going to help the Terps in a lot of ways, but doing work on the offensive glass and creating additional scoring opportunities for their teammates will be one of the primary things I’m looking for from that duo.

2) Based on the composition of the roster last year, I liked Jake Layman playing up at the 4. However, when Wells was injured and out of action; we saw Layman play his best ball of the year at his natural SF position. During that 7 game stretch vs. Monmouth, VMI, UVA, Winthrop, NC Central, USC Upstate, and Oklahoma State – we saw a very confident Layman. He was attacking the rim, getting boards, working his way to the line, taking 3’s within the offense. He had some other good games during the year (particularly at home vs. Michigan State), but seemed to regress overall as the season progressed. Part of that could have been tiring out as the year wore on, the toll of consistently giving up some size to more physical PF’s. The other part to me was the ball was understandably regularly in the hands of Trimble, and Wells. It seemed like Layman became regulated to standing beyond the arc, and taking 3’s. We saw less of him going to the basket, and getting to the line. I’m very interested to see how the beginning of this season goes for the Senior.  Is offense going to go through him? If MD pushes the ball in transition, I think he can thrive in that style of play. Coach Turgeon has utilized him at the top of the 1-3-1 the last two years to good results. I expect we will see more of that.

MD has a good enough, deep enough team that against most teams they will be able to sustain one of their cogs having an off night. The key for Layman in my opinion is consistency. Layman was great last year at Oklahoma State, and at home vs. the Spartans. As the year was ending, he was invisible vs. Michigan State in the Big Ten Tourney, and in the NCAA Tourney vs. Valparaiso, and West Virgina. I want to see something between those extremes nightly.

3) I had wondered if Rasheed Sulaimon was going to be a good fit with the roster. So far, so good.  Inside MD Sports had a nice article on the perspective of Jared Nickens, and Dion Wiley on the addition. Some great quotes there from both of them, showing their focus is on winning. That’s huge. We’ve also seen Nickens state that Sulaimon has been helping with his development as a player.  It’s still something to watch though. Sulaimon played 29 minutes a game as a Freshman at Duke. By his Junior year that was down to 19. He came to MD due to his familiarity with the Coaching staff, but I’m guessing he also came here in part because he anticipated regularly being on the court during his Senior year. During the non-conference schedule, you have to think Coach Turgeon will be tinkering with lineups, and different rotations. Figuring how to best utilize the roster. Sulaimon being an athletic wing is big. Can he be the lock down defender MD needs? He made 80% of his FT’s as a Freshman (67% last year). Is he getting to the line, and making his attempts once there? Having another shooter, and his experience available is another reason to love MD’s chances to do real damage this year.

4) Jaylen Brantley interests me. As is, you would think his minutes would be hard to come by this year with Trimble ahead of him. Still, I can’t help but think of how the season ended vs. the Mountaineers. Having another guy on the roster capable of running the offense is important. I’m sure Sulaimon will get some time at the 1 during the year, but I’m hopeful Coach Turgeon will be looking for opportunities to get Brantley extended run. MD should blow out a number of teams this year. Get Brantley experience when you can, so he’s more comfortable if you are in positions where he is needed. You don’t want to see anyone get injured, but MD could lose pretty much anyone else on the roster outside of Trimble for sometime, and I’d have confidence in their ability to adjust. With Trimble’s importance, and Brantley being more of an unknown – that’s the exception. I also think that while this is Brantley’s first year at this level, it should be remembered that he’s been out of High School or sometime (prior to playing at Odessa Community College last year, he had spent the year prior at Marshall practicing while ineligible). Things have changed for him, but his experience should help him acclimate quicker.

5) Saw some people around the net freaking out about the Ken Pomeroy rankings to begin the year. I didn’t really get the hysteria. Those algorithms will change quickly once game play begins, and there is new information to review. I am interested in seeing how MD ranks during the year compared to last year in Adjusted Offense (Points scored per 100 possessions – last year MD was 58th), Adjusted Defense (Points allowed per 100 possessions – last year MD was 40th), and Tempo (Possessions per 40 minutes – last year MD was 201st). I don’t anticipate the tempo to change much, but the offensive and defensive efficiency should improve.

6) If Stone doesn’t look like Jahlil Okafor right away, are people going to be disappointed? I just want to see month-to-month development. As we said above, just give some immediate help on the offensive boards. I have no problem if the minutes at Center early in the year prove to be a Stone, Damonte Dodd, and Michael Cekovsky rotation (though I see Cekovsky getting more minutes behind Carter at the 4). It can only help Stone’s development (and vice-versa) by battling Dodd and Cekovsky in practice everyday. Two athletic bigs with more experience than Stone. At some point I think Stone will take control of the position, but it’s not going to bother me (or surprise me) if it’s not Day 1. My hope is that we really see him come on during the 2nd half of Conference play, and looking like the final piece in a Championship run.

7) Where have Nickens and Wiley developed as players going into their Sophomore years? Nickens is 6’7. If he gets a little post, and intermediate game going – to go with his 3 point shooting, look out. Also has to improve at getting to, and converting at the line.  As the poster ‘Mackus’ pointed out on the BSL Board, he also needs to improve in his ability to put the ball on the floor and drive. What about his defense? Wiley had some big moments defensively last year, but his offense the last half of the year was non-existent. I think he has a pretty well rounded game, and expect his offense to be  improved. These two coming off the bench should be difficult for opposing teams to deal with. The depth being a way that MD will separate themselves from a lot of would be competitors.

8) Here’s another area where MD can improve this year – Turnover Margin. MD was just 256th Nationally in that regard last year. Playing into this, MD was 284th in Total Steals (though they were 53rd in Total Blocks). With the depth and athleticism MD has at the Guard and Wing positions; MD should be capable of generating more steals. But for that to happen, the Terps would have to be willing to gamble a bit more defensively.

9) Anything can happen in a one game scenario in the Tournament. Upsets happen. Still, with the talent and experience on the roster; I think the minimum overall expectations have to be reaching the Sweet 16. Before dreaming about getting to Houston next April for the Final Four, I think the Terps have to focus on their known schedule. They have three significant challenges on the Out-of-Conference schedule in Georgetown, UNC, and UConn (and maybe a fourth in Rhode Island in the Cancun Challenge). Win or lose, those are games to evaluate where you are at those periods in time. Win or lose, there will be things to take from those games and to improve upon. Maryland had a nice introductory season in the Big Ten, winning 14 regular season games and finishing 2nd behind Wisconsin. Winning the regular season title, and finishing with above 14 wins should be a goal. The Terps advanced to the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, before being bounced by Michigan State. Taking down the nets this year in Indianapolis should be a goal. It looks like the Big Ten enters the year as the second best conference in the country. Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State; they should all provide challenges. I want the Terps to go show they are clearly the league’s best. The Terps were picked to finish in the middle of the conference last year, and they played with a chip on their shoulders. Keep the chip.

10) The toughest opposition MD will often face, will be amongst themselves in practice. We talked about it some with Stone going against Dodd daily. Trimble vs. Brantley.  Layman vs. Nickens. Sulaimon vs. Wiley. Carter vs. Cekovsky.  Ram pressuring the ball. Bender being another big. If the players embrace this, they will all be better for it.

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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