The University of Maryland will end a 10 day layoff tomorrow night, when they face Winston Salem State at College Park.
While you should respect every opponent, I will personally understand if the Terps show little enthusiasm for the opposition tomorrow. Winston Salem State is 2-6 overall, inclusive of a 51 point loss at Oregon, and a 24 point loss at Wake Forest.
This is clearly a game where the main goal is to improve as a team, with a cohesive effort.
Here are things I will be looking for tomorrow:
1) Adrian Bowie received the start against Eastern Kentucky, due to Vasquez being late for a team shoot-around. I thought Bowie looked more comfortable as a starter, contributing with 6 boards, and 3 steals.
As much as anything tomorrow night, I want to see Bowie, and Cliff Tucker have strong games. Those two have to provide regular positive contributions for this Terp team to be dangerous.
Eric Hayes is having a strong offensive year, and will be on the court in crunch minutes due to his ability to handle the ball, and covert at the line. As he has shown an ability to produce off the bench, and Bowie appears more comfortable as a starter, I would like to Bowie remain in the starting lineup.
2) Jordan Williams only received 9 minutes of playing time against Eastern Kentucky, after his 19 point, 12 rebound performance against Villanova. Dino Gregory being back, can not earn Williams an extended trip to the bench.
2a) James Padgett had been averaging 16.4 minutes heading into the Eastern Kentucky game, but did not play at-all. It is understandable that Gregory’s return reduces his minutes, but he also has to play.
3) I expect the Terps are going to be able to force turnovers at-will tomorrow night. Still, I would use the playing time to give minutes to lineups you want to use later in the year. While Maryland does not have an abundance of athletic talent, they could use a lineup of Bowie, Tucker, Milbourne, Padgett, and Gregory on occasion. That group is ask quick, and athletic as any opposing 5 players they will face. I would like to see them get time together when Coach Williams wants to increase the tempo, and force some turnovers.
4) Wake Forest out-rebounded Winston Salem 36-31, had 10 steals, 9 blocks, and forced 18 turnovers. The Demon Deacons also held Winston-Salem to 4 for 26 from 3 point land. I will be interested to see how Maryland’s final stat line compares to Wake Forest.
5) Mosley, Milbourne, and Hayes all continue to shoot over 50% from the floor. Would like to see each of them get at-least 10 shots.
6) Winston Salem lacks height, and Maryland should be able to score pretty much at-will in the lane. I would like to see Vasquez get some opportunities to post-up and get some easy looks inside. A game like tomorrow is about building confidence, and I want to see Vasquez have a high percentage shooting night.
7) Jin-Soo Choi played 1 minute each against Villanova and Eastern Kentucky. Choi needs some time, and similar to Vasquez, I would like to see Choi get an opportunity to post-up inside. He needs a game where he gets 10+ minutes of playing time, and sees the ball go through the basket some. Let him get a couple of easy ones inside, and then let him let it fly from outside. Getting him going as a 3 point specialist off the bench, is something Maryland needs to be working on. The Terps will face more zone defenses again this year, and Choi has the ability to be the zone-buster they will require.
8) A Steve Goins sighting would also be nice.The primary way Goins can help the 2009-10 Terps is by being available to use his 6’10 260 lb body against teams with a lot of opposing size. He can come in off the bench, bang around, and use his 5 fouls. There are a number of teams in the ACC with some imposing size this year. Obviously Gregory, Williams, and Padgett will be the primary bigs for the Terps. I think getting Goins some time on the floor against the little sisters of the poor would be beneficial, if you are forced to use him against Conference opponents later this season.
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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.