Before heading to Maui, the University of Maryland Terrapins will play their 2nd-game of the 2009-10 season against Fairfield of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Fairfield was 17-15 overall last year, and 9-9 in conference. Reading on what they endured during last-year, that was a pretty impressive record.
The Stags dismissed their best player in-season due to insubordination, and suffered numerous injuries to their starters.
This year should be smoother for Coach Ed Cooley. This could be a good game for MD, because Cooley was a long-time Assistant of Boston College Head Coach Al Skinner. I would have to imagine that he runs a scheme that is somewhat similar.
Like the Charleston Southern game, clearly MD should win. What will matter is what is accomplished during this game in terms of their overall play, and effort.
As Cooley brings back all but two players from last years team, the Terps will be playing a team with plenty of experience. With that experience, and having played Wake Forest, and Georgetown last-year; the Stags do not figure to enter College Park in awe of the Terps. It will also be their 5th game of the season (2 exhibitions, and 2 regular-season games) vs. a MD team that will have only played two-games. (1 exhibition, 1 regular-season).
MD will be still be feeling their way a bit, while the Stags should be more comfortable with their rotations, and schemes. In the end, the Terps figure to not only have the home-crowd, but better size, skill, and athleticism.
Still, there are a number of Fairfield players to watch:
Senior F Greg Nero averaged 12.4 ppg, including 48% from 3point land.
Junior F Mike Evanovich only averaged 7.5 ppg, but did so in just 18.5 mts per game. Against Wake Forest, the Iowa State transfer, scored 20 points, hitting five 3’s.
Senior F Anthony Johnson was on the pre-season 2008-09 All-MAAC team, and reached double-figures in rebounding 4 times, and scoring 10 times prior to missing the 2nd-half of the season with a blood-clot in his lung. At 6’8, 245 pounds, he represents a physical player that will be a good match-up inside for the Terps.
Junior F Yorel Hawkins, and Sophomore F Shimeek Johnson are described as being solid-athletes.
Fairfield looks very vulnerable in the back-court, where they will be depending on two Metro-Chicago Freshman Guards Colin Nickerson, and Derek Needham. If those two Freshman guards play with a typical Chicago mentality, they will be physical players that play with a chip on their shoulder. With the lack of guard depth on their roster, I would press them constantly and wear them out.
I hope that Anthony Johnson is able to come-back and play that game, and that MD Freshman Jordan Williams can get some-time against him.
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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.