2007-2008 ACC Team Preview #11

Maryland Terrapins

After losing three core seniors in Ekene Ibekwe, D.J. Strawberry, and Mike Jones, Maryland will rely on senior big man James Gist and sophomore guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes to lead the charges and play the majority of the minutes. Five freshmen join the Terrapin squad that is looking to head back to the NCAA tournament again this season after missing the two before last year. This group will not be as talented on the defensive end as last season, but will look to play classic Maryland pressure defense and get out in transition with two strong guards and an athletic big man.

Key Losses: Maryland loses a huge chunk in the three mentioned above. Strawberry was a two year starter and major contributor all four years in College Park, while Ibekwe started more games than that. Jones was a McDonald's All-American coming out of high school, and was a starter the last season and a half at Maryland. Also graduating were tough big man Will Bowers and little used Parrish Brown (55% of scoring, 47% of rebounding, 39% of assists).

New Additions: Five versatile freshmen come to College Park, and each will be looked to add depth at all positions. Two come from national power Montrose Christian, guard Adrian Bowie and post Shane Walker, joining Vasquez. Also entering will be posts Braxton Dupree and Dino Gregory, and wing Cliff Tucker.

Projected Lineup:

• PG- Greivis Vasquez (6'5", So.)
• SG- Eric Hayes (6'4", So.)
• SF- Landon Milbourne (6'7", So.)
• PF- Bambale Osby (6'8", Sr.)
• C- James Gist (6'9", Sr.)

Key Reserves:

• SG- Adrian Bowie (6'2", Fr.)
• SF- Cliff Tucker (6'6", Fr.)
• PF- Jerome Burney (6'9", R-Fr.)
• C- Braxton Dupree (6'8", Fr.)
• PF- Dino Gregory (6'7", Fr.)

Outlook: Maryland looks to have a strong starting four, with two play making guards who can also score and two very active big men inside. The key will be if they can get any scoring punch at the wing forward spot, and if the freshmen can make an impact. Milbourne doesn't have to be a world beater in that spot, but at least needs to be a threat so that defenses cannot key on Vasquez and Hayes as much. Either Bowie or Tucker also needs to provide solid depth that the Terps are definitely lacking. Thankfully, Gary Williams runs a version of the flex that doesn't reply upon lots of one on one play. If the depth can be solid and provide enough rest for the starters, and if Gist and Osby can stay out of foul trouble, this team will be very solid.

The opening schedule will tell a lot about Maryland. Beginning the season in the College Basketball Experience tournament will give the Terps a shot at UCLA and, probably, Missouri early in the year. Additionally, games against Illinois and VCU will be good tests. The rest of the schedule is relatively weak.

Prediction: 10-6 finish, T-4 in ACC; 24-7 Overall.

ACC Preview #10 - Boston College
ACC Preview #9 - UNC
ACC Preview #8 - Virginia
ACC Preview #7 - Wake Forest
ACC Preview #6 - Virginia Tech
ACC Preview #5- Miami
ACC Preview #4- Florida State
ACC Preview #3- NC State
ACC Preview #2- Clemson
ACC Preview #1- Georgia Tech