The Terps, 18-10 overall, and 7-7 in the ACC host the Deamon Deacons of Wake tonight.
Wake Forest enters the Comcast Center, as the #10 Ranked team in the country, 22-5 overall, and 9-5 in the ACC.
Wake is extremely athletic, and in my-mind, a viable contender for the ACC Tournament, and NCAA Tournament titles.
The time is now for the Deacons, as their Top 3 players, are all projected to leave College as impending NBA Lottery-picks.
Those Top 3 players are:
Jeff Teague, Soph Guard
Averages 20.3ppg, 51.3% from 3, 83.2% from the FT line, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.3 turnovers, and 2.1 steals
Jeff Johnson, Soph Forward
Averages 14.3ppg, 8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks.. 69.8% from the FT line.
Al-Faroqu Aminu, Frosh Forward
Averages 13ppg, 8.1 rebounds, 53.8% from the floor, 65.3% from the FT line.
Wake also receives strong contributions from LD Williams, Chas McFarland, Ishmael Smith, Harvey Hale, and Tony Woods.
That this is a deep and talented team is not surprising.
They returned 11 players including their 5 starters, and added the nations 3rd-best recruiting class… including the 2nd and 3rd rated Centers.
This is what MD can aspire to be next year… when the Terps can return 11 players, and add Jordan Williams and James Padgett.
While MD would not be as physically talented, they would be largely comprised of Juniors and Seniors (and their experience) vs Wake Forst who is made up of mostly Freshman, and Sophomores.
While looking ahead to next-year is enjoyable, the focus is still on tonight and what can be accomplished this year.
If the Terps can find a way to beat Wake tonight, I believe MD will clinch their ticket to the NCAA Dance.
Quite literally, with each of Johnson, Aminu, McFarland, and Woods being over 6’9, this will be quite a hurdle for MD to climb.
Wake has:
Wins against: NC Central, NC Wilmington, Winston Salem, CSU Fullerton, UTEP, Baylor, Indiana, Bucknell, Wright State, Richmond, East Carolina, Radford, @BYU, North Carolina, @Boston College, @Clemson, Duke, Boston College, FSU, Georgia Tech, NCST, @UVA
Losses against: VaTech, @GaTech, @Miami, @NCST, @Duke
Having Osby, and Gist obviously helped last year, but MD did go 2-0 vs Wake last year.
Part of the reason for that, is like UNC, and Duke… Wake wants to push the ball… this allows MD to do what they do best… score in transition.
Tonight, more than any other night, will be difficult for MD to compete inside.
It is imperative that MD hits some 3’s, limits the 3’s Wake gets…. And that the Terps get to the foul-line.
MD will also have to limit their turnovers, while forcing their share.
The Terps can win tonight, but it is a great thing that they are in a position where they do not absolutely have to.
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.