The Terps battled hard to try and secure the services of the PG Nate Britt, but ultimately the Maryland native committed to UNC tonight as expected. Britt, who is a Top 10-15 recruit in the 2013 class, would have obviously been a major coup for Coach Turgeon and his Staff. Remarkably, there are some MD fans who think that losing out on Britt is a ‘good’ thing. Their logic being that had Britt committed to the Terps, MD would be less likely to sign the Harrison Brothers. While I understand that reasoning to a point, I disagree overall. Count me as one that would have rather received the definitive committment of a strong local product, over the potential of possibly getting the duo. With Britt now completely out of the picture, lets take a look at where MD is at with their 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes.
Maryland’s currently projected 2012-13 roster looks like:
Guards: Stoglin (Jr), Howard (Jr), Faust (Soph), Allen (Freshman)
Wings: Parker (Jr), Layman (Freshman)
Bigs: Padgett (Sr), Pankey (Jr), Len (Soph), Cleare (Freshman)
This means Maryland can add up to 3 additional players in the Class. Of course, if Coach Turgeon and his Staff did that, it would be a very heavy class, and there would be only one current available scholarship (a departing Padgett) for the Class of ’13.
Ideally, I think the Terps would add one more post player. The priority remains Amile Jefferson, but that appears to be a very long shot. The Terps have been involved with Cinmeon Bowers, and Charles Mitchell. Maryland also saw Jakarr Sampson, on a visit to Brewster Academy. I’m not sure any of these three would be considered the ‘missing piece’ but I do think the addition of anyone out of this trio would give MD a very deep Front-court for next year.
Jeff Borzello from CBS Sports recently reported that the Terps have also been recently mentioned with 6’8 French native William Howard, who is Prepping at New Hope Academy here in Maryland. The reports I saw described Howard as a SF/Wing type, who is playing the 4 with New Hope. If he is strictly a 3 at the next level, I think you would really need to love him to take him in the same class as Layman.
Sam Cassell Jr. attended Maryland Madness, and is being recruited by TCU, Oregon State, Washington, and Texas Tech. Despite his last name, he has been under the radar during most of the recruiting process. I’ve seen him described as a guy that can defend with his long arms, and score in bunches. He is currently getting that additional year of experience at Prep School. If he wants to come, and join Allen as PG’s in this Class of ’12, do you take him? My sense is that he is probably a bit under ranked, but like W. Howard, I’m not sure he makes a ton of sense for this Class. You’ve signed a PG in Allen. P. Howard will be back. Right now, you are making due with both Stoglin and Faust as the primary ball-handlers and they will both be back as well. Coach Turgeon made Allen an early priority. Is there a real need for another PG in the same Class?
Of course, there are always other ways to look at things. What if MD believes the Harrison Brothers will end up at Kentucky? If the Terps do not think they will sign a guard in ’13 that is better than Cassell is now, maybe it does make sense to bring Cassell on for ’12?
Maryland went all out for Britt and lost. Some will argue that Britt is not even the best 2013 PG in the State, pointing to Baltimore’s Aquille Carr. People question Carr’s size (5’7) and plenty wonder if he will be able to qualify. Nobody questions his heart, athleticism, or talent. Personally, I’d like to see the Terps push hard for Carr. Best case he qualifies and produces right away. Beyond that, Maryland will be respected in Baltimore’s recruiting circles for going after Charm City’s best. Maryland going after Carr, and him not qualifying, is better than the alternative of people questioning why the State’s Flagship University did not pursue Carr significantly.
The other local product I’m currently very interested in is Beejay Anya. It appears that I am not alone, as basically the entire country is after the Top 30 DeMatha product. When we spoke to ESPN’s Paul Biancardi in May, Biancardi labeled Anya as the player Maryland needed to get in on.
There are lots of interesting names being discussed, and I’m sure that others will still emerge. However, before anyone else joins the Terps though, I’m excited about the 10 scholarship players that will be wearing a Maryland uniform next year and the prospects of the program going forward. If you were on the MD Coaching staff, where would your attention be?
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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.