As reported everywhere, Maryland hosted Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz yesterday.
Smotrycz was a 4 star Top 60 player in the Class of 2010. At 6’9, 235 lbs, he has plenty of size. He is known as a step-back 3pt shooting PF. With Cleare, Mitchell, and Len (if he is still around) dominating the ball in the lower post; having a PF that could open things up from outside would be nice.
Some might suggest that Layman can be that type, but at 190 lbs Layman is more of a 3.
This year with Michigan, Smotrycz averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 boards, and shot 43% from 3. He scored in double-figures 12 times, but struggled during Big Ten play.
I saw a couple of different write-ups from Michigan sites after his announced departure. Several of them described his play as inconsistent, and lackadaisical. I see where his skill-set could help MD, but count me as one that would have rather had Parker stay (and be eligible next year), vs. effectively replacing him with Smotrycz (and having to wait until ’13-’14 for him to contribute).
Maybe that thought process is unfair though, as Smotrycz would really be replacing a departing Padgett. If Smotrycz comes to MD, he will have the advantage of practicing and improving during all of next year.
If you were to add Smotrycz, the Terps in ’13-’14 would currently look like:
Guards: Stoglin (Sr), Howard (Sr), Allen (Soph)
Wings: Faust (Jr), Layman (Soph)
Bigs: Pankey (Jr), Len (Jr), Cleare (Soph), Dodd (Soph), Mitchell (Soph), Smotrycz (Junior)
Even with his ability to shoot from the outside, that would be a very crowded Front-Court. There would be two spots open (1 if Cassell, Jr were to join the Terps).
Would you like to see Smotrycz end up at College Park?
EDIT: Inside MD Sports has announced this morning 4/16, that Smotrycz will transfer to Maryland. https://twitter.com/#!/insidemdsports/status/191877155158892544
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