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Sports with Shep: Maryland basketball struggles with inexperienced players

Henry Shepard, Reporter

March 4, 2011

Sports with Shep: Maryland basketball struggles with inexperienced players

Sweat is dripping. Hearts are pumping. Former Maryland star Greivis Vasquez is waiting for his name to be called. With the 28th pick in the 2010 NBA draft, the Memphis Grizzlies gained a scorer, while the Maryland Terrapins lost their best player since their national title run in 2001.

With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Maryland men’s basketball team is struggling to replace the scoring touch of Vasquez and the shooting ability of Eric Hayes. Freshmen Terrell Stoglin and Pe’Shon Howard are trying to fill the two guard positions, but their lack of experience has cost Maryland many close games this year.

At 7-8 in the ACC, Maryland will struggle to get in the NCAA Tournament. The ACC has only two ranked teams at this moment in Duke and North Carolina, decreasing chances for the “signature win” usually required to be invited to the Big Dance.

The only real chance Maryland has to get in the NCAA tournament is the ACC tournament, as well as the automatic bid that goes along with it. If Maryland is to have any chance at winning the tournament, the stellar playing of Stoglin must continue.

With Jordan Williams filling the headlines and drawing double teams often, this freshman from Tucson, Arizona has stepped up his game. Of the two freshman guards, Stoglin has matured more rapidly, and will probably be able to take over the shooting guard position next year.

Despite the struggles this season, Maryland is still a young team. Adrian Bowie, Cliff Tucker, and Dino Gregory are all role players who can be replaced with the solid underclassman that Maryland is bringing in. Former JC standout Nick Faust is sure to give Maryland a shooter which the Terrapins have needed this year. In the game against NC State, Maryland attempted only one three-pointer, and still won the game.

Even with all of the pieces in line, the key to Maryland’s game is still Jordan Williams. Many believe that he will forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft. Maryland fans can only hope that he decides to stay.

Henry Shepard is a reporter for “The Patriot” and jcpatriot.com