Fresh faces give Terrapins new hope
Published: Thu, Nov. 08, 2007 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Nov. 08, 2007 05:22AM
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closeIt wasn't until James Gist had a chance to play against the Maryland freshmen that he got his groove back.
"I had been pretty down for a while. I'm not that way usually," the Terrapins senior said.
With good reason. An otherwise upbeat 2006-07 season went completely sour at the end. There was the first-round ACC Tournament loss to Miami, then a similar loss to Butler in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, then the exits of three starters.
Looking at the new season
2006-07 RECORD: 25-9, 10-6, TIED FOR THIRD IN ACC - COACH: GARY WILLIAMS (19TH SEASON, 378-200 AT MARYLAND)
PLUS
* While UNC's Roy Williams and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski spend most of their recruiting time chasing of blue-chippers, Gary Williams for the second straight year has sought and signed only wood-chippers -- kids tough enough to look the dynasties in the eyes and bite them on the nose.
* Last year, the back-to-the-basics movement was dominated by guards Eric Hayes and Greivis Vasquez. This year, it comes in the form of big men Braxton Dupree, Dino Gregory and Shane Walker, a trio of fierce workers with modest egos and average recruiting rankings who Williams thinks could become the frontcourt of a contender.
MINUS
* If the newcomers can't deliver at least a decent amount of productive playing time, the Terrapins' starters could be more exhausted than a pyramid construction crew.
* The backcourt equation is still fuzzy math. Vasquez and Hayes will swap roles until freshman Adrian Bowie proves himself.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO
The freshmen come up to speed quickly to make possible something close to last season's record.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
The freshmen stumble, no one emerges as a reliable perimeter shooter and James Gist has to stay in the post. That easily could add up to 7-9 or 6-10 in the conference and 15-15 overall.
REALISTIC SCENARIO
Maryland has the look of a classic NCAA bubble team: 8-8 in the conference, 17 or so overall wins and pressure to survive a couple of rounds in the ACC Tournament.
The X factor
A high-percentage wing shooter. Departed starters D.J. Strawberry and Mike Jones accounted for 116 of the team's 196 made 3-pointers last season.
WHO WILL FILL IT
Landon Milbourne, James Gist and Greivis Vasquez are among the options. Only Vasquez, who will have to play point guard much of the time, has experience in the role.
FANTASY LEAGUE PICK
Jack McClinton, Miami. The speedy wing marksman can create his own shot and would do wonders for the Terrapins' transition attack.
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"Coach told us he had some good recruits coming in, but I was worried," Gist said. "We won 25 games, but we let it get away from us at the end and so many of our best players were seniors. But once these guys got in and we started practice -- aw man, I feel 100 percent better now. We're going to be good."
If the first preseason scrimmage was a true gauge, Gist is on target. In 40 minutes, freshman Braxton Dupree scored nine points and led everyone with 11 rebounds. Frosh Shane Walker had 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Newcomer Adrian Bowie was maybe the quickest guy on the court.
"I really like 'em," Gary Williams said of the freshmen. "If they can keep playing the way they have so far, they're going to be a lot of fun to work with."
And if so, Williams will have a deep and big team. The likely starters -- Gist and Bambale Osby inside with Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes and possibly Landon Milbourne on the perimeter -- will get far more relief than anyone expected.
The other primary concern -- outside shooting -- remains an uncertainty. Milbourne played very little last season, when D.J. Strawberry and Mike Jones carried the 3-point burden. Gist spent the entire offseason working on his outside game and could start at small forward if the freshmen big men impress.
"Obviously, we still have a lot of things to work on," Williams said. "But I'm optimistic we're going to have the opportunity to try some different combinations. That's no guarantee there's a perfect solution, but it's a lot better than the alternative of having no flexibility."
caulton.tudor@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-8946
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