Terps Bball Recruiting Q&A w/ Evan Daniels (Scout.com) & Paul Biancardi (ESPN)

Evan Daniels is the National Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com, and Paul Biancardi is the National Recruiting Director for ESPN.

Evan Daniels
http://scouthoops.scout.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/EvanDanielscout

Paul Biancardi
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/recruiting/index
http://twitter.com/#!/PaulBiancardi

Baltimore Sports and Life thanks both of these analysts for taking the time to answer a few Terps related recruiting questions.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “In the 2011 class, the University of Maryland has received signed Letters of Intent from Sterling Gibbs, Nick Faust, and a verbal commitment from Martin Breunig. As a whole, where does this group compare to the rest of the ACC?”

Evan Daniels: “We currently have Maryland ranked No. 6 overall in the ACC class. Faust is obviously the big one in this class. He’s a top 50 prospect overall and a guy that provides instant points.”

Paul Biancardi: “It is in the top half of the ACC. It has it’s star in Nick Faust and a solid supporting class. More importantly it backs up last years class which is proving to be a really good one.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The video on Breunig is an extremely impressive display of advanced offensive skills. Do you have any insight on his abilities as a rebounder and on the defensive end? Where do you see him winding-up being ranked individually?”

Evan Daniels: NA.

Paul Biancardi: “Breunig is an intriguing prospect with good hands and feet, able to catch cleanly in congestion and pretty mobile for a player his size moving both side to side as well as up and down the court. Much more comfortable and confident facing the basket at this point in his career. Must try and rebound the ball more and will have to learn defense from the ground up. We have him graded as an 87 with a full evaluation on our website.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Assuming Jordan Williams returns, I’m looking at a Terps 2011-12 roster that could look like:
1) Stoglin, Gibbs
2) Howard, Faust
3) Mosley, Parker
4) Bruenig, Palsson, Padgett, Pankey
5) Williams, Weijs

Maryland continues to recruit PF/C Desmond Hubert. Reports have had Hubert decising between North Carolina and Maryland for some-time. Most Terps fans believe he will be a Tar Heel. How does his game compare to Padgett and Pankey (before they entered College)?”

Evan Daniels: “I think Hubert is a little different. He’s a nice looking prospect because of his size and length, however I don’t see him being an immediate contributor in the ACC. He needs to add some strength, what I think he can do. Once he does he can have an affect on the defensive end, because of his shot blocking ability.”

Paul Biancardi: “First of all Jordan Williams should stay right where he is, that’s how he has improved. Continue to dominate and improve as a Free Throw shooter. Desmond Hubert is long and athletic with the ability to block shots at this stage of his development. A rim protector who is a bit taller than Pankey and weaker than Padgett. He is mobile and has the ability to make the exciting play with his size and athletic ability but clearly needs to get strong before he can influence the game.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Baltimore’s Nick Faust appears to be a consensus Top 50 National player. What do you see as his major strengths, and what weaknesses have limited him from being ranked even higher?”

Evan Daniels: “Faust is a flat-out scorer. He started out primarily a shooter with a quick release and deep range. But over the course of the last year he’s added an ability to attack the basket and despite his wiry frame finish through contact. I’d like to see him develop his mid-range game and continue to get stronger, but it’s hard to not be impressed with the overall make up of Faust’s game.”

Paul Biancardi: “He plays the game with high energy along with the natural ability to score the basketball in various ways. He can finish a break at the rim or with the jumper. In the half court he will make 3’s coming off screens or spotting up from his teammates penetration. Has shown the pull-up jumper along with a solid basketball IQ. At 6’6 I like his size to see over defenders and rebounding the ball. He is only 17 so he is young of age. With a strong work ethic, while hitting the weight room he can reach his potential, the talent is all there. Which means he is an All-ACC type of player in time.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Locally a name that is receiving buzz is SF Greg Whittington. He is playing limited competition in Howard County (MD) but showed his ability on the AAU Circuit last Summer, is now receiving high-major offers. He is said to be on the verge of deciding, do you you think he will be a Terp?”

Evan Daniels: “Maryland is certainly in the mix. Whittington is a guy I saw back the AAU Nationals and I certainly thought he had some potential. It sounds like he is starting to reach some of it. Georgetown is also someone strongly involved. He’s visited both recently.”

Paul Biancardi: “In this years late signing period there is not much left on the board. He made noise at the 2010 AAU Nationals. A good amount of skills but a narrow body type who probably needs a red shirt which can be a very good thing for guys with a proper perspective of who they are and where they want to go.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Mychal Parker arrived at College Park this year as a Top 50-60 player with clearly outstanding athleticism. While he played less than the other Terrapin Freshman, I still like him to emerge going forward. What was your evaluation of Parker prior to entering College?”

Evan Daniels: “Parker was certainly an impressive talent in high school. Sometimes it takes incoming freshman longer to get it than others. What may have held him back initially was his lack of strength. I still think he’ll be a good one at Maryland. He has the tools to be a very good player in the ACC. Always loved his athleticism and scoring mentality when he was in high school.”

Paul Biancardi: “A physical specimen who could score the basketball. His play was inconsistent at times in his high school career and he needed to be a more committed defender. I think he just needs to play with more urgency and become a better student of the game than he will be fine.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Thoughts on Bino Ranson and his abilities as a recruiter?”

Evan Daniels: “Ranson has a number of connections in the Baltimore area. He knows the lay of the land there and has done a good job recruiting that region historically. He was the main recruiter for Faust, and was able to reel him in. Maryland is clearly looking to recruit the Baltimore area and bringing him on staff will certainly help in that regard.”

Paul Biancardi: “Has made a big difference for Maryland in the recruiting circles. He has help put Maryland back in touch with the local talent. A person who really cares about people and he is a relentless recruiter.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Wally Judge was a Top 20 5 Star recruit that signed with Kansas State. In the middle of his Sophomore year with the Wildcats, the 6’9 PF left the KState program. It is said that the former DC Assault player is considering transferring to Maryland. Have you heard of other schools which are involved? He had minimal production at KState (4 points, 3.3 boards in 53 games) what made him such a high-level recruit?”

Evan Daniels: NA.

Paul Biancardi: “Coming out of high school he had all the physical talent. He did confirm he had spinal surgery before KSU to relieve pressure on his back. Which could have been why he did not make much progress. The game is so physical I am not sure he was quite ready for that kind of pounding as a freshman. That along with his high ranking might have caused expectations to be to high. Judge is a skilled post player with the combination of good hands, touch, and athletic ability. He demonstrated the ability to put the ball on the floor and catching the ball within 12 feet of the basket to score. I like the way he could pass for a big. If he is healthy and willing to work, he would be a very good one to land especially sitting out for a year with a chance to develop. It is being said that he will stay close to home.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Looking ahead to 2012, we have heard of Maryland pursuing Justin Anderson, and Shaquille Cleare among others. Where do you think the Terps stand with them? Other names you are hearing associated with Maryland?”

Evan Daniels: “The Terps are involved with both, but I think it’s too early, at least with Cleare, to get a feel for where he might be leaning. With Anderson, it sounds like he could be making a college choice in the near future. In late January he told me he favored Duke and Maryland. Then he visited UNC and mentioned them as well. It’s hard to get a great feel for his thought process, but Maryland certainly has a good chance.”

Paul Biancardi: NA.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Moving way ahead to the 2013 class, where does Baltimore’s Aquille Carr rank among his peers? It is stated he has a ton of offers already. Do you like Maryland’s chances here?”

Evan Daniels: “Carr is an interesting prospect and will likely be the toughest evaluation in the entire class. He’s an unreal athlete and has terrific speed, but his size, wildness and lack of a jump shot will always be a concern. With that said, he’s certainly a talent.”

Paul Biancardi: “He is tearing up the City of Baltimore. Extremely athletic scoring point who gets in the lane at will with his quickness. Defensively he pressures the ball and offensively pushes the ball to become a one man fast break. Conversion is where he makes his mark! Must become a better shooter and learn not over penetrate. Knows how to create fouls and get to the line. A good FT shooter.”