I am going to look at 3 different 2009-10 scenarios for the Terps.
Part 1: What if Vasquez stays in the NBA Draft (or heads to Europe), and Stephenson does not enroll with the University of Maryland?
All would not be lost for the Terps, in-fact I would expect a 2009-10 season similar to this past year that ended with an NCAAT 2nd round loss to Memphis.
With Vasquez gone, and without Stephenson; the Terp line-up would figure to look like this:
1 Bowie, Hayes
2 Tucker
3 Mosley, Gregory, Kim
4 Milbourne, Padgett
5 Williams, Burney, Goins
I look at that roster, and I see a team that would again be capable of beating anyone, and losing to anyone. I see a roster that would have a lot of guard experience, but limited depth. Although, that guard depth could be helped with Milbourne getting more time on the wing, with Padgett and Gregory getting extended time at the 4.
That team would not need the Cliff Tucker that averaged 20pts per gamein the two matchups vs North Carolina, but they would need Tucker to bea consistent double figure scorer. Some would question Tucker’s ability to do that, as he had a habit of disappearing on the court at times. I think with the ball in his hands more often, and more regular mts, that him scoring in double figureswould be a given. Tucker shot 37.8% from 3 this year, and 72.4% from the line. I would expect with additional mts that his 3pt% would decrease, and his foul-shooting would increase. Tucker is very athletic, and runs the court well, but he has to work on being able to finish around the rim.
The scoring responsibilities would be pretty spread out for this team,which would figure to make for a good passing team, as it would be less about the individuals. That said, you can also envision this team struggling to identify who gets the ball when a basket is needed.
I like a lot of these players in complimentary fashion; but their ability to lead is to be determined.
In the ACCT, Hayes took over the game vs Duke down the stretch. If he spends his Senior year driving to the rim, and getting fouled… he isgoing to have a big year.
Obviously there is a large transition from Connecticut HS ball to the ACC, but I do believe that Williams will provide a post-player that was missing in the offense this past year. If he can give you 8pts, and 5boards every-night, that will be huge.
I think MD being able to bring Padgett, Burney, and Goins off the bench to provide size, and fouls is a plus. Having options at the 4, should allow Milbourne’s mts to be limited, and gain more production from him towards the end of ACC play.
I think Gregory will continue to get on the court at the 3 through 5 because of his hustle, and defensive abilities.
I think without Vasquez or Stephenson, that MD would be looking for scorers, and that would cause Kim to get additional looks in the pre-ACCseason. If his strength has improved, he could play the roll of designated bench scorer with this lineup.
In my ultimate opinion, that team would be depending on Mosley to make a large leap in his game between his Frosh and Soph seasons. Mosley showed an ability to do a lot of things well this past year; particularly using his strength in the blocks, and on defense. For that team to win 7 to 9 ACC games, and advance to the NCAAT, Mosley will have had to improved his shot, and be able to give the Terps 15ppg. I think he would come close enough to that, that I would project this team to win 8 ACC games, and be a bubble team on Selection Sunday.
Whether they get in, would depend on what MD did out of conference, and how they finished the year.
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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.