The University of Maryland’s ’20-’21 season ended in the 2nd round of the ’21 NCAA Tournament last night; as Alabama made 16 of their 33 attempts from 3, and controlled the boards in a decisive 96-77 victory over the Terps.
I find myself having multiple conflicting thoughts about this quote, this season, Coach Turgeon, and the program itself.
The Quote Take 1: Turgeon is right, this was a team with limitations that overcame a poor start to their season, and found a way to be competitive. At one point they were 1-5 in Conference play, and the wheels could have completely come off. Yet they managed to get to the Tournament and win a game. Generally a likable group, that played hard. It’s fine for Turgeon to state the obvious that this was a team with limited ceiling who ran into a more talented team who also happened to play extremely well last night.
The Quote Take 2: It’s the exact type of quote that after a decade of being at Maryland, illustrates how Turgeon still doesn’t connect with Maryland fans. Fans of the Terrapins don’t want to hear about being satisfied with getting to the Tournament, and winning a game. That’s the minimal expectations of any season. They want to hear Turgeon – as the leader of the program – stating that isn’t good enough.
The Season Take 1: Losing Anthony Cowan to graduation and Jalen Smith to the NBA aren’t things to be casually dismissed. Between those departures, and then largely striking out in-terms of impact with the transfer market last Spring (with all respect to Jairus Hamilton, and Galin Smith); this was always going to be a transition season. Expectations were low entering the year, and it can be argued that Maryland overachieved.
The Season Take 2: Maryland was unable to land an impact post-player in the transfer market last Spring, and that hurt the Terps all season. What also needs to be remembered though is that not only did Smith depart for the NBA; but the Mitchell Brothers left in the middle of the ’19-’20 season, and both Ricky Lindo, and Joshua Tomaic transferred out of College Park. Even Tomaic averaged 16 minutes per game with San Diego State this year, and contributed to the Aztecs. Any of those four (Mitchell Brothers, Lindo, Tomaic) would have helped this Maryland roster. If the post-limitations were the primary weakness of the roster, the second biggest issue was the limited depth. For the last third of the season, Turgeon went to an 8 man rotation with former walk-on Reese Mona serving as the 8th man. The depth was limited because Turgeon wasn’t able to develop at-least one out of Aquan Smart, Marcus Dockery, and James Graham (not to mention Chol Marial, and Arnaud Revaz) to the point he was comfortable using them. Also, for all of the discussion about the strength of the Big Ten; the Conference only has 1 team in the Sweet 16. Lastly, you knew going into this season the strength of the existing roster was the guards and wings. It shouldn’t have taken until January to play to those strengths.
Coach Turgeon Take 1: If you include last year, MD has made the NCAA Tournament six times in now seven full seasons as a member of the Big Ten. Four times in those seven seasons, the Terps have finished 3rd or better in the Big Ten Regular season.
Over those seven Big Ten seasons, MD’s final KenPom numbers:
’20-’21: 37th overall, 38th adjusted offense, 41st adjusted defense
’19-’20: 11th overall, 18th adjusted offense, 22nd adjusted defense
’18-’19: 24th overall, 31st adjusted offense, 21st adjusted defense
’17-’18: 39th overall, 45th adjusted offense, 67th adjusted defense
’16-’17: 46th overall, 41st adjusted offense, 64th adjusted defense
’15-’16: 22nd overall, 24th adjusted offense, 22nd adjusted defense
’14-’15: 33rd overall, 56th adjusted offense, 41st adjusted defense
Averages: 26th overall, 28th adjusted offense, 40th adjusted defense
There is more than one way to play the game, and Turgeon has forgotten more about basketball than I could ever pretend to know. Just because I’d like to see MD play with increased pace, doesn’t mean Turgeon’s preferred style of play can’t be effective. While I’d like to see more FG attempts, MD generally runs efficient offenses under Turgeon. While I’d like to see more consistent pressure and trapping; MD generally has solid team defense (particularly when he has a rim protector) under Turgeon. Six NCAA Tournaments appearances in seven years, and the Big Ten regular season records show the program is on solid ground.
Even if you wanted to move on from Turgeon earlier, MD hasn’t been in financial position to do so previously. With two years left on his deal, is it possible to move on now? After years in the Big Ten, MD’s finances were improving prior to COVID. After COVID, one can guess that Athletic Director Damon Evans’ preferred option is not paying Turgeon (and his staff) to leave, and bringing on a new Coach.
Coach Turgeon Take 2: Maryland hasn’t done anything ever in the Big Ten Tournament, and Turgeon has 1 Sweet 16 appearance after a decade at the helm. That’s not good enough for the University of Maryland. COVID robbed us of the ’19-’20 Tournament, which would have been a good litmus test for Turgeon and Maryland either way. There is widespread apathy for the Maryland program among the fanbase. Turgeon leaving on his own, still feels more likely to me vs. Maryland paying him to go.
The Program Take 1: I can craft a scenario where Maryland can be very good next year. Morsell takes advantage of the rules, and returns for a 5th season. Wiggins decides to come back for his Senior year, vs. beginning his pro career. You welcome in the well-regarded incoming Freshman Julian Reese, and Ike Cornish. After a 1/2 year with the program, James Graham is ready to perform next Fall. You see some departures among Marial, Revaz, Smart, and Dockery; and with those departures you add some talent in the transfer market.
The Program Take 2: Is Turgeon getting an extension this Summer? If not, and he isn’t let go, or doesn’t leave on his own; what is he going to have at his disposal next Fall? It will be an upset if either Morsell or Wiggins returns. If you lose your best defender (and leader), and your best all-around talent; color me skeptical you’ll easily be able to overcome that. If Morsell and Wiggins are going to bounce, and MD is going to be ‘meh’ next year regardless – does it make sense to bring Turgeon back without an extension? Meaning if you aren’t comfortable with giving him an extension now, how is the evaluation of him going to change after next year?
One Additional Thought: I have nothing but respect for Mona.
Congrats to him for working and getting a scholarship. Playing hard. Probably a good practice player. At some levels he’d probably be a strong contributor. Him being a bit overwhelmed at this level isn’t on him. Definitely hard to believe Smart and Dockery couldn’t beat him out for time.
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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.