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    Okay Okay.  We heard you loud and clear!

    As much as I’d love to re-live the last brutal 25 years of one of the worst franchises in pro sports (the Bullets/Wizards), we can get back to our beloved Terps.  It does make you realize how bad things could actually be though.  We could have gone to a school that broke our hearts year after year until it just didn’t matter any more.  We could have had 10 coaches in 15 years.  It does give some perspective.

    Now before we know it, it’s going to be time to talk football.  I know the majority of you like to stick with hoops, but I thought it was interesting that Phil Steele has the Terps finishing last in our division in football this year.  He calls it a rebuilding year even though we have a senior QB and perhaps the best backfield in the ACC.  I’m one who think the subtraction of DHB will actually help this team as the young receivers now have a chance to shine and the 2nd year in the new offense should help us finally put some big time points on the board.

    To hoops.  I must say that we are lucky to have DBR constantly giving us those recruiting updates.  You have publications like the Baltimore Sun who have a Terps post an average of once every 2 weeks.  You have some of these pay sites that like to tease you with “big news”, only to give you information that we already know or something that DBR has alerted us to.  Now as not to anger those sites, they do their job and break some stories, but my point is it’s great to have this forum for all Terps news as well as some other things as well.

    While I know most of you are not soccer fans, I appreciate the responses to my soccer question the other day regarding red cards.  I really had nobody else to ask.  Those who hate the sport, feel free to skip a comment or two if that happens, but I’m glad to have the forum to ask some questions I was wondering about.

    I know many of you have been reading the Washington Times’ countdown of the best basketball players of Gary Williams’ tenure and I have to say it’s been a pretty well done countdown.  I pretty much agree with nearly the entire selection of players and it’s been cool to remember some of our better players and be reminded of what they brought to the school.  I suggest anyone who hasn’t read it to check it out and of course, let us know what you think. 

    Jer and I were also thinking about what our starting lineup should look like come November.  We are counting on improvements from last year’s players as well as the hope that a freshman will be ready to start in the middle.  Without seeing these guys play first, is it a good idea to throw a freshman into the starting lineup with all that pressure so early?  Are we going to expect too much from these guys?  Is it fair to?

    Author: Gregg |June 27th, 2009 | 47 comments

    • Ricksterps
      Thanks for the link Chuck. This smacks of BR. Some of these kids just like to play the recruiting game. They love the adulation and attention of flirting with different schools.

      It make you not want to recruit these five star kids. Build the program with very solid four star kids.
    • Chuck Woolery
      Looks like the Henry Brothers are now having "issues" with KU.

      http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/jun/30/carl-...
    • Eddie
      Absolutely right Rick. Gary doesn't blow smoke. In fact, he's the polar opposite of that.

      I agree with most of you and cannot even acknowledge that list without the INDOMITABLE BYRON MOUTON not on it. I DEMAND that he's put on the list!
    • DiamondbackRuss
      On June 15th Gary said in a tweet: Really excited about our 09' class. James Padgett and Jordan Williams will have the opportunity to contribute right away.
    • EdtheTerp
      Is he supposed to say these guys ain't worth sh-t?
    • Ricksterps
      You must not follow Gary much. He will usually say absolutely nothing or say that they have to wait their turn, learn the college game etc.

      Now that statement may be a way to get the returning players off their butts and working on their game.
    • EdtheTerp
      Ricksterps or DBR,

      Who do you see as being more of a factor this season, Jordan Williams or Padgett?
    • Ricksterps
      If Williams gets in shape I see him getting more PT just because he takes up so much space. Exactly what we didn't have last season.

      Right now, I would lean towards Padgett. I don't know that Williams can make that much progress with his physical strength by the start of the season.
    • Chi-Terp
      I know GV keeps saying he is a Point Guard, but he certainly has not developed his PG skills. Just cause you dream it don't make it so. Unfortunately, EH & AB ain't all that either, so it doesn't really matter. My ideal line up?

      Also, I remember how we all thought that Dupree's weight loss would enhance his chances of doing better. NOT! So, Goins 20 pound loss may mean shit when you come down to it.

      I also think Dino deserves a starting spot. He certainly is more bankable than JP & JW, only because he has been there before. They have not. We do not know what we are going to get (just ask Wake Forest, sans Aminu, how there 5 start recruits panned out for them last year).

      Lastly, Landon needs to return to the 3. He is better at that position, period. This Landon experiment reminds me of the "PG DJ Strawberry" experiment. Both experiments sucked.

      Given all that, here goes:

      1 GV, EH, AB
      2 EH, AB, SM, GV
      3 LM, CT, SM, JSK
      4 DG, JP, LM, JB
      5 SG, JW, JB, JP

      I strongly suspect the year will start off this way. If EH fucks up, he will be the 6th man...and I suppose that's ok too.
    • DiamondbackRuss
      Chi-Terp you bring up a good point on the weight loss. That alone won't make Goins an ACC level player. However, I would say that the reason Goins and Dupree needed to shed weight were very different. Dupree lacked the discipline to eat properly. Goins had a broken leg in HS and had another leg injury once he got here.

      Time will tell, but reports from the Elite Camp were that Goins played well.
    • Harry
      Maybe someone reported this already but I just read on another site that the Lance Stephenson case has been adjourned until July 15th. Why do I care? Because I do.
    • Ricksterps
      I think there is something with Mr Born Ready that we don't know. I read about a month ago that two scouts said he would go top 15 in the NBA draft if he declared.

      So a kid that is basically a lotto pick has NOT ONE school interested in his services? That just doesn't compute.
    • DiamondbackRuss
      LOL
    • Grayson73
      I'd like to see two out of Dino, J-Will, Padgett, and Burney starting with Goins as a backup.

      Landon needs to play SF if we want to compete in rebounding and scoring. He had trouble doing both against PFs.

      At one guard spot, I'd like to see GV

      At the other guard spot, I'd like to see Mosley, Tucker or Hayes. Hayes off the bench worked well because he is a better floor general for the 2nd unit than Bowie.

      I'll be surprised if JSK gets minutes. If he does get minutes, I'd like to see him at the SF spot.
    • Ricksterps
      If Turner plays like a seasoned QB (as he should) then they should have a good shot at eight wins and possibly nine. I thought last season was done in by the defense. That should be much improved this season. I just have a good feeling about this year's squad.

      That would be a great season seeing as most have us bringing up the rear in the ACC.
    • Wheels
      Football interlude...

      Here’s MD’s upcoming football schedule:

      @Cal
      JMU
      Middle Tenn
      Rutgers
      Clemson
      @Wake
      UVa
      @Dook
      @NCST
      VT
      @FSU
      BC

      My early take…
      Lock Ws – 4 (JMU, MTSU, UVa, and Dook)
      Should Ws – 3 (Rutgers, Clemson, and BC…all at home)
      Toss up Ws – 3 (Cal, Wake, and NCST…all on the road)
      No Chance Ws – 2 (VT and FSU)

      A little explanation…
      My 4 “locks” could include more just on a talent basis alone. MD simply has more talent than JMU, MTSU, Wake, UVa, Dook, NCST, and BC. The four straight home games will help build steam into the Wake game, and also remember that MD pasted NCST two years ago in Raleigh when both teams needed a W to go bowling. The trap game of the year is at Dook.

      Based on recruiting rankings, MD also has more talent on paper than Rutgers. MD has also played Clemson very tough, winning both at Clemson and in College Park during Ralphie’s tenure. More specifically about Rutgers and Clemson, both lost a ton of experience at QB, WR, and OL...and they come to CP.

      Although MD typically plays well at home under Ralphie, they see VT’s maroon helmets and shit their pants. While they won at FSU two years ago (on a Jeremy Navarre blocked FG) and always seem to play FSU well down there, I think it would be a stretch for MD to win that game.

      The Cal game intrigues me. I think MD can win that game; moreover, since they beat Cal last year, MD knows they can beat Cal. Don’t misunderestimate (props GWB) that. It should be an interesting game given that Cal wants revenge (see Best, Jhavid) and many are picking them to unseat USC in the Pac 10 and given that MD is being overlooked by many in the media. MD will be every bit as motivated as Cal, and since Chris Turner is a SoCal kid, you know he’ll want to play well in his home state.

      I’m going to set MD’s win over-under at 7, and I think they’ll exceed that. I say they go 8-4 and play in a decent bowl. If they win that bowl game, I think Ralphie will retire.
    • AMEN
      I would also drop Gilchrist from the list. I would add Mouton. I would drop HIPP{ can't wait til I wear the pro uniform]. I would do a 1 and 1A with Dixon and Blake. No way we are the champs if Blake is not our floor leader.
    • talaya7
      Good memory. Mouton definitely deserved a spot.
    • markmax33
      Somehow Milbourne will spend most of the time playing the 3 this year. I just know it.
    • idkwid
      No there is too much guard talent and not enough big man talent. All of the lost minutes from last year are from big guys. There is too much talent and not enough minutes for Milbourne to get back to the three.
    • EdtheTerp
      Of course we all WANT LM at the 3. That's his best position. But who do you want on the court more, Dino or Mosley? If you go with Dino as a starter, then you are not ACC-average at the 4 position (as much as we like Dino, that just seems the case, objectively).

      I would go with the quicker, more athletic and skilled lineup, and play LM at 4 mostly, and take advantage of the more talented Mosley and Tucker. That's the predominant way of playing that I favor, with most of the minutes.

      Of course LM can slide over and play some at the 3, which gives Dino minutes. Dino also plays when LM rests. So we will see Dino lots this season, even if LM starts at the 4. Dino will develop and become a major factor.

      Match-ups will dictate a lot, but teams will have trouble matching up with the Terps' quickness this season too. Match-up problems work both ways.
    • turtlepin67
      I doubt that it is going to matter much who starts at the 4/5, because DG and JB are foul prone and Williams and Padgett are going to be called for freshman fouls (real or phantom). Hopefully, we can get 15+ minutes from each of them and fill in the remaining minutes with Kim/Goins/Milbourne.

      More importantly, we will struggle again this year if GV is our leading rebounder. Having to send five guys to the defensive board last year had a major impact on the quality of shots we were able to generate on the offensive end. We have to be able to run against good rebounding teams this year.

      If Gilchrist was the most selfish player in recent history, Padgett may become the most selfless player. Having watched a few of his games on TV, I can't believe how hard that kid worked to get open in the post and never saw the ball. Yet, he never stopped trying to establish position, and never hung his head when BR or someone else launched a 25 footer. I played on intramural teams that were better coached than Lincoln.

      As always- trust in Gary.
    • Chrs0049
      I'd be very surprised to see either Williams or Padgett start. And I think we keep Milbourne at the 4 because we have so many guards as it is, we have to play 3 at once just to get them all good playing time.

      I think your looking at something like this in terms of starters and backups:

      PG - GV, EH, AB
      SG - AB, CT, EH
      SF - SM, CT, JSK
      PF - LM, JP, JSK
      C - DG, JW, JP, SG
    • Ricksterps
      http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scours...

      Top 20 Terps in the Gary Williams era. Pretty good list for the most part. I would add Jasikevicius and Mouton and take off Gilchrist and Burns. Definitely some room to move some people up and down the list but well done overall.
    • Chrs0049
      Can't take Gilchrist off -- he single handely won Gary his only ACC tournament.

      Edit: oh and if you couldn't tell from my icon, OBVIOUSLY Mouton needs to be on that list
    • Ricksterps
      Hey, it's my list and I can take him off if I want :)

      Good point on Gilchrist. My point would be that he almost single-handily had those guys underachieve other than that one weekend. Could be that I just don't like the guy. He may be the most selfish player ever to wear a Terp uni.
    • kaze
      Rick - Dead-on as usual. Gilchrist had a magical weekend at the ACC Tourney, but otherwise he nearly killed the program. How could he be on the list and Mouton, the straw that stirred the drink on the national championship team, left off?
    • Ricksterps
      The real question is, where do you put GV? They have him nine. Where does he fall on your list Kaze?
    • kaze
      I'm satisfied with where they've got him, Rick. But only because he hasn't won anything yet. The great ones routinely find a way to win. I'm thinking of too many lost leads the last couple of seasons that were difference makers at the end of the year, games like the one at Miami, two years ago here against Clemson, last season vs. BC. These are games the truly greats ones grab by the throat. The Carolina win was his signature game, but he's still an unknown quantity at the tip every time out....will it be the magesterial Greivis or the lost-boy Greivis? It's this coming year when we'll know if he gets a banner to hang at the Comcast Center, and whether he truly belongs up there with the big boys. I have really high hopes.
    • Ricksterps
      I wouldn't put him on the list at all right now. It's like the HOF, you have to be done playing first. You have to judge all four years and he has one left.

      I totally agree, GV could go way up if this squad were to catch lightening in a bottle and do some special things.
    • kaze
      But how about the one-and-done guys who are on the list, or the Juco guys? Nevertheless, you make a good point that Greivis's body of work is not complete yet. I do agree with you on the HOF aspect. For that reason, for me it would be Juan and Walt tied for #1. Without Juan, no final fours, no national championship. Without Walt, no program.
    • Mr. Cavendish
      No homage to the late, great Billy Mays? Wouldn't the court at Comcast be brighter if it was cleaned with "Orange Glo"?

      Sean Mosley wouldn't miss as many layups if he took the ball to the rim affixed with "Mighty Putty".
    • DiamondbackRuss
      Terps have their eye on class of 2011 recruit Trevor Cooney. He's an athletic 6-foot 3 SG from Delaware. As a freshman he was basically a catch and shoot player, but during his sophomore season he demonstrated that he could beat players off the bounce, get to the rim and finish. Cooney averaged 18 points as a freshman and 22 points as a sophomore. Granted the competition isn't tough in Delaware, but 16 year old Cooney starts for Team Final's 17U team. Team Final has already won two major AAU events this year, the TOC down in North Carolina and The Rumble In The Bronx.

      The Terps went out to see him a few times during his HS season and will track him during the summer AAU season once the open period begins July 6th. Cooney has offers from Notre Dame, Villanova, Virginia, Wake Forest, St. Joe's, Rutgers Maryland and many others. Ohio State, Texas, Providence, Clemson and Florida State are involved but haven't offered yet. His HS coach says he may have 20 offers at this time.

      Cooney was recently at UMD for the Terps Elite Camp and it gave him a chance to really see the campus. He claims that he will not take anymore visits this summer as his AAU team's schedule will keep him very busy. After the AAU summer season he plans to cut down his list of schools.

      I'm not sure how highly he considers UMD, but the Terps got him on campus for a few days and that's a good start. We'll see where this goes.
    • Wheels
      Two things...Gary won't start either freshman at the start of the season. Mosely had big time creds coming out of HS, and even he didn't start at beginning of the season. Dino and Burney (if healthy) will start down low...by the time the ACC season starts, Williams or Padgett might be in the starting line up. I think Hayes has a very good year this year, too.

      Second, regarding football, here's how f-ed up these preseason rankings are. Most early ACC rankings still have BC ahead of the Terps. BC's starting QB transferred and their best D player was diagnosed with cancer and will likely miss the season. BC lost their entire D line. The people doing the rankings have taken this "well, if MD plays up to the talent they have on their roster, they'll do some damage...but this is MD and they are up and down...see MTSU and UVA last year...blah, blah, blah...tie doesn't go to the runner, it goes against MD, so we rank them last."

      That's pretty much what you'll hear. MD has 4 WRs with significant playing time coming back and tons of experience on D coming back (they lost starters but Ralhpie rotated players a lot last year on D). The O line is the concern with out 2 starters coming back. That's why preseason rankings have the Terps near the bottom. Here's my hunch...when I am out in Berkeley on Sept 5 watching the Terps beat Cal, you should picture me giving the finger to everyone!
    • talaya7
      Some thoughts on next year's lineup -

      1. I lean on wanting LM back to 3. At 4, he needs to use waaaay too much energy on defense. At 3, he can be a more effective scorer.

      2. Dino, IMO, will start. If one of the freshmen prove themselves, then he may take "5," which will move Dino to 4. Mr. Dino, however, has got to learn to stop the dumb fouls.

      3. I'm sold on Hayes as the 6th man. I see a fierce competition between Mosely and CT for the starting "2" - edge to Mosely as a starter last year.

      4. I like Burney's game. If he regains health, GW will have him higher on the depth chart than the freshmen. That said, GW runs a meritocracy, and the freshman will have a chance to earn their way on the starting line-up.

      5. Based on nothing but this fan's speculation, Goins is my preseason pick for most improved. To try to add some credibility to the speculation, two points (1) I posted the same thing about Dino last summer, and, (2) more importantly - GW has a history of taking unherladed players and turning them into something. Goins got to talk to both Dino and Dupree last year and he choose the Dino route. He's getting into shape now. He's a big city kid......the kid's going to be a contributor!
    • talaya7
      Thanks for the feedback, harryfish, sir. I stopped by a Spurs website the other day and that's the specualtion there, too. The debate is whether Gist can fit in as a 3 or a 4. He seems to have offensive credibility at both spots, but the fear is that he can't hand at either spot defensively. The conclusion - so far - is that he will go 4 when the Spurs are playing 'small ball.' (Playing behind Duncan is good word, if you can get it).

      BTW - I'm jeleous that you get to chat with the players....it makes the money you paid for the camp worth it even if your son hates it!! Be sure to mention this web site to the players and kindly ask them to offer an occassional post! We don't want dirty laundry, but a 'mood of the club' post would be appropriate and appreciated.
    • Gregg
      I'm not worried about the football ranking. There are plenty of questions especially on both lines, but the ACC is always up for grabs (recently), so win a few games, get some confidence, and they'll have a good chance to surprise some folk.

      As for the basketball lineups, if all the players don't embarrass themselves on the court, we can matchup with just about anyone. We can go big with Landon at 3, Dino at 4 and one of the freshmen at 5. We can go small and quick with Landon at 4 and Mosley at 3. Guys like Burney and Goins aren't likely to see much time unless they wow at practice and if they do, it's even more depth. We have the potential to be a dangerous team, but you don't win anything on paper. Hopefully our guards will learn to finish. We wasted 8-10 points a game last year with misses from one foot. If that improves, that's at least a few more wins!
    • Mr. Cavendish
      Bill Mays is dead. Thus he won't be suiting up in CP this season.
    • markmax33
      He was Duke's last chance at a backup PG this season!
    • Harry
      Talaya asked about James Gist and San Antonio ..."Also a quick thought on the NBA draft - Anyone else notice that San Antonio traded their back-up PF and SF.....and then their only draft back, I think, was Terp-killer Jack Mclinton.......I think the Spurs are making an opening for Mr. James Gist."

      At Gary's b-ball camp on pick up day I spoke to James for a while on this subject and he feels this trade was made with him in mind and is very excited about it. He is off to their summer league and expects to get a contract and be playing some minutes for them the upcoming season.
    • Ricksterps
      That would be great news. I know many were disappointed with Mr. Gist's performance during his last two seasons but I think he gave all he had. Hopefully he has improved his game while playing overseas.
    • Chrs0049
      If Gist/ Blair/ McClinton give the Spurs solid backup minutes, they're going to be back in NBA title hunt
    • Ricksterps
      http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scours...

      This guy has us ranked 66th for football entering the season. At first blush this looks low but he has us at .500 in conference and overall. With all the upheaval on our O-line that is probably very justifiable.

      For some crazy reason, I think we are going to be the surprise team this season. A senior QB and what should be a much improved defense is going to pay dividends.
    • Thank you for the return to Terps basketball.

      No mention of Rome or Goins?

      Those are both big guys, but with a lot of questions. Rome could make a difference if he can play without nagging injuries or concern for re-injury. When will we know Rome's status?

      Goins was very raw last year. He came in with a history of injury, resulting in his not having played during some of his high school career. Last year's experience and hard work this summer could make a difference.

      Dino was a pleasant surprise last year, and a good example of how much difference one year can make in a player that has the right attitude and work ethic.

      I am all for JWill and Padg, but they may have to battle some other guys for starting spots.

      I would like to see Landon return to the 3 spot.
    • DiamondbackRuss
      Rome just recently got out of his foot cast. Hopefully soon we'll know if he'll be able to play or not.

      Goins has dropped weight and gotten leaner. Last season he tipped the scale at 260, multiple reports now have him at just under 240.

      Dino has bulked up his upper body. And yes, he as a key role player off the bench last season, as was Adrian from time to time.

      The best thing about Freshmen is that they become Sophomores. Often the biggest improvement comes between those two seasons.
    • Eddie
      I definitely agree Eric Hayes should start. Last year, the chemistry was better with Hayes coming off the bench. But this year is this year. Hayes is a senior. I look for him to have a banner year and GV/Hayes should be one of the best backcourts tandems in the country. I'd like to see a more traditional lineup with Landon playing the 3.

      GV, Hayes, Landon, Dino, J Williams

      Something tells me Padgett may be more ready than Williams to play right away. Usually guys that played at nationally-renowned programs are ready to play off the bat (GV, Steve Blake, etc.) than guys from weaker programs (Mike Jones). But Williams is the more promising long-range talent right? I have never seen him play. Having Dino and Padgett in the lineup at the same time gives us a scrappy frontcourt with virtually no post presence. In this sense Williams makes more sense because he's supposed to be more polished offensively.

      Whoever the starting 5 might be, we will have a really deep bench. Bringing guys like Bowie, Tucker, Mosley off the bench is a great luxury. We should be more uptempo this season and press weaker opponents into submission. What a difference one year makes. Last summer we were talking about Tyree Evans and Bobby Maze and some guys on this site predicted 4 or 5 conference wins.
    • EdtheTerp
      1 GV

      2 EH

      3 Mosley

      4 LM

      5 J Williams

      Subs: AB with close to starter minutes as combo guard, Tucker at the 3 and 2 also with lots of minutes, and Dino upping his time as well. Padgett backs up Williams, with not enough offense to play more as a frosh. He will develop into a fine Terp. So that's nine, and that's just about all you can play for significant minutes.

      EH gets the nod over AB cuz he can shoot the 3 and EH's tentativeness should diminish as a senior. Bowie cannot shoot well enough to hold down the shooting guard slot as a starter, but is needed to play a lot--and his slashing drives will pay off for the Terps with some huge points when the Terps need them the most.
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