Official Maryland Terps Thread 2.0

[closg00]

Maryland big man Jordan Williams, who was named to the all-ACC first team on Monday, is in Greensboro, N.C. prepping for this week's ACC tournament. His sophomore season nearly over, Williams said Wednesday that he isn't thinking about his NBA prospects at the moment. "I'm not even thinking about that," Williams told The Washington Times. "I'm just trying to focus on this team right now and getting this team better and getting this team to the tournament. That's the most important thing. I haven't really put any thought into that."

Any bets on Williams staying or going? There aren't too-many bigs projected to be taken outside of the lottery, I could see Williams being taken later in the 1st if he declared.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Maryland big man Jordan Williams, who was named to the all-ACC first team on Monday, is in Greensboro, N.C. prepping for this week's ACC tournament. His sophomore season nearly over, Williams said Wednesday that he isn't thinking about his NBA prospects at the moment. "I'm not even thinking about that," Williams told The Washington Times. "I'm just trying to focus on this team right now and getting this team better and getting this team to the tournament. That's the most important thing. I haven't really put any thought into that."

Any bets on Williams staying or going? There aren't too-many bigs projected to be taken outside of the lottery, I could see Williams being taken later in the 1st if he declared.

Maryland big man Jordan Williams, who was named to the all-ACC first team on Monday, is in Greensboro, N.C. prepping for this week's ACC tournament. His sophomore season nearly over, Williams said Wednesday that he isn't thinking about his NBA prospects at the moment. "I'm not even thinking about that," Williams told The Washington Times. "I'm just trying to focus on this team right now and getting this team better and getting this team to the tournament. That's the most important thing. I haven't really put any thought into that."

Any bets on Williams staying or going? There aren't too-many bigs projected to be taken outside of the lottery, I could see Williams being taken later in the 1st if he declared.

OK. I'll hazard a guess. He'll declare, then not hire an agent. He'll take off the Spring semester, work out for teams and get a sense of his probable draft position.

After going through the process, he'll learn that he's likely to be drafted anywhere from about 16-28... and he'll leave UMd.

[Rafael122]

I wouldn't be surprised if Williams is a late lottery pick.

[closg00]

Hmmm, too-high for that ATL pick? I think you-guys are right-on, declare w/o an agent. Total lack of bigs in this draft.

[Halcyon]

Jordan Williams isn't ready for the NBA. He's around 6'8 and not the 6'10 he's listed as, while he isn't much of a passer and a below average defender. His shots all have to come around the rim and he doesn't have many post moves, and struggles against taller guys in college. He wouldn't have much success right now if he came out.

I think he'll go the same route as Greivis, declare Junior year to get an idea of his value, and withdraw to return for his senior year.

[Scabs304]

Williams will not declare this year. What I'm wondering with those L's to Clemson and UVA at the end of the season what do the Terps need to do in the ACC tournament to make the dance. I think they need to get to the finals at this point which means beating Duke tonight and winning the semifinal game. Do they need to win it to be in it?

[Ruzious]

Williams will not declare this year. What I'm wondering with those L's to Clemson and UVA at the end of the season what do the Terps need to do in the ACC tournament to make the dance. I think they need to get to the finals at this point which means beating Duke tonight and winning the semifinal game. Do they need to win it to be in it?

What's that song - "It's gonna take a miracle". I think they need to beat Duke and at least come within inches of winning the ACC championship.

It's depressing hearing Maryland fans calling for Gary Williams to be fired - just like it was with the Fridge. 1 year after he was named ACC Coach of the Year after going 24-8... I'm a Terps fan, but I gotta say overall, we are among the worst fans in the country. We don't support our teams, and we call for our nationally respected coaches to be fired because of unrealistic recruiting expectations. Opposing players say our fans have the worst rep around the ACC for being abusive - I wouldn't bring my young or old relatives to a Terps game because of that and all the foul language. It used to be good natured when we were foul - now it's too edgy and not fun. And nobody even cared that the football team had an excellent year. Our fanbase stinks.

[Dat2U]

Jordan Williams = Somewhere b/w Lonny Baxter and Obinna Ekezie. Not a first round pick IMO. Could get a cup of tea in the NBA but probably could have a nice long career overseas.

[closg00]

Jordan Williams = Somewhere b/w Lonny Baxter and Obinna Ekezie. Not a first round pick IMO. Could get a cup of tea in the NBA but probably could have a nice long career overseas.

Agree, not a 1st-rounder, lets see what he can do with 2-more years under his belt.

[spaceman_E]

Man, the ACC got screwed this year. 4 teams? 10 and 12 seed? Meanwhile you've got USC, VCU, Georgia, Michigan, Mich st., Penn st???, UAB, UT. None of those teams deserved to get in. They should have contracted the tournament to 60 teams, not expanded. Maryland sucked this year and they are better than most of those squads. Yeesh, what a disgrace the committee is.

[Halcyon]

We couldn't even make the NIT....depressing. At least the season is over and done with...

[Wizardspride]

Man, the ACC got screwed this year. 4 teams? 10 and 12 seed? Meanwhile you've got USC, VCU, Georgia, Michigan, Mich st., Penn st???, UAB, UT. None of those teams deserved to get in. They should have contracted the tournament to 60 teams, not expanded. Maryland sucked this year and they are better than most of those squads. Yeesh, what a disgrace the committee is.

What makes you think that MD is significantly better than the teams you listed?

MD doesn't have one signature win (other than Penn St.).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Don't count MD out this year just yet. They just have 2 games left and should win them both - at Miami tonight and home against VA Saturday. That'll put them at 9-7 in the ACC and 20-11 overall. If they win 2 games in the ACC tournament, that might be just enough to get them in. Joe Lunardi, the tournament expert, has MD as 6th of the bubble teams trying to get in that aren't currently in.

Btw, come brackets time, I'm picking UNC as a final 4 team. Their front court is special, and they finally have the PG situation in good hands. The only question for them really is 3 point shooting.

MD has got to make a little run in this ACC tournament to have any chance at being selected for March Madness. Good news for MD is that Jordan Williams draft-stock is at a level so-as to not tempt him to declare this year....at-least as-of today.

Yup, and they signed a 6'9 forward last week for next year with offensive skills that they're really high on - along with the 2 guards they already recruited (Gibbs - a big time shooting guard - and Faust - pure PG depth) - and they still have one more scholly they can give.

I'm glad they missed the NIT. Jordan Williams could have raised his draft stock. Now, maybe he comes back hungry and able to hit FTs. The Terps have to be better next season if Jordan comes back.

They played Duke tough until Nolan Smith jammed his toe. Next season, Singler and Smith are gone. I suspect the eldest Plumlee goes round one. Barnes, Henson, and Zeller will be gone.

Gary needs to step it up or next season could and probably should be his swan song. I love what he's done for the program, but his hour is approaching, just like Fridge Friedgen's came. Gary is a great coach but his recruiting is undermining him.

[Wizardspride]

This is a big one.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rec ... _blog.html

Montrose Christian standout junior forward Justin Anderson expected to commit to Maryland on Thursday


Justin Anderson , the Montrose Christian junior forward best known for his incredible athletic ability will announce his college choice Thursday and is expected to commit to play for Maryland, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Anderson, who is 6 feet 7, has been pursued by several of the nation’s top programs. Virginia and North Carolina are believed to be among the other schools that he strongly considered.

Anderson has worked hard to improve his basketball skills, wanting to be known as more than just a spectacular leaper or dunker. He has averaged a career-high 14 points this season for the top-ranked Mustangs, helping the team go 22-1 and finish atop The Post’s boys’ basketball rankings.

Anderson last summer was a member of the USA Basketball’s under-17 national team.

[closg00]

This is a big one.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rec ... _blog.html

Montrose Christian standout junior forward Justin Anderson expected to commit to Maryland on Thursday


Justin Anderson , the Montrose Christian junior forward best known for his incredible athletic ability will announce his college choice Thursday and is expected to commit to play for Maryland, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Anderson, who is 6 feet 7, has been pursued by several of the nation’s top programs. Virginia and North Carolina are believed to be among the other schools that he strongly considered.

Anderson has worked hard to improve his basketball skills, wanting to be known as more than just a spectacular leaper or dunker. He has averaged a career-high 14 points this season for the top-ranked Mustangs, helping the team go 22-1 and finish atop The Post’s boys’ basketball rankings.

Anderson last summer was a member of the USA Basketball’s under-17 national team.

[Wizardspride]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... n-anderson

Strengths:
Anderson continues to impress with his god given off the charts athletic ability. His body is a work of art as he excels on the break. When he is aggressive and attacking there is not much a defender can do because Anderson can make a play from 15 feet and in over or around anyone on the perimeter. He is a lefty that can make plays in the lane and if he gets close to the rim it's a dunk in or out of traffic. He can make mid range jumper and an occasional three with much needed time and space but this is clearly not his strength at this stage of his game. Anderson is a good rebounder and must be boxed out or he could have a field day not to mention provide a highlight. He plays with passion and competes as well.

Weaknesses:
His aggressive style of play allows him to draw charging fouls because he can get out of control on drives and slashes in traffic at times. He must work to add a consistent mid range game to avoid charges and continue to give his shooting the attention it needs because Anderson is very capable of improving in this area because he does have a good work ethic.

Bottom Line:
This lefty, high-octane wing has the ability to make game changing plays at both ends of the floor. The most impressive element to his game is his ability to score in so many different ways. Steals, transition baskets, offensive put backs, and getting fouled are just a few of the by products to this talented wing. His upside is terrific and as he skills continue to evolve so will his game and he will become a more consistent producer.

Notes
Travel Team: Boo Williams...Wingspan: 82.5"...

[spaceman_E]

Man, the ACC got screwed this year. 4 teams? 10 and 12 seed? Meanwhile you've got USC, VCU, Georgia, Michigan, Mich st., Penn st???, UAB, UT. None of those teams deserved to get in. They should have contracted the tournament to 60 teams, not expanded. Maryland sucked this year and they are better than most of those squads. Yeesh, what a disgrace the committee is.

What makes you think that MD is significantly better than the teams you listed?

MD doesn't have one signature win (other than Penn St.).

Where did I say "significantly better?" They are about even, but would probably win 6/10 games against most of those squads. PSU, we beat them by 20. The Michigan teams - 13, 14 losses in an average big 10. Georgia, USC, both mediocre in poor conferences. UT is talented but inconsistent and didn't perform (much like MD but probably more talented). VCU? 11 losses in the CAA? Seriously? Did you go there?

Like I said, MD wasn't good this year (no PG) but they had 1 bad loss (UVA at home) all year and won 19 games. I would have put VT, Bama, Colorado, BC, and St. Marys in with all but Tennessee out.

[Cramer]

Hold on...Maryland had one bad loss? Really? OK, name me one good...OK, remotely decent....win. And don't even start, anyone that's been around here knows I'm the biggest MD fan here. They beat some of the teams they should have this year, lost to some they should beat, and beat no one that would cause anyone to go....ohhh, nice win.

If you don't get an invite to the NIT, any argument that you deserve the NCAA's just got flushed. And as for the ACC as a whole, I've been knee deep in it since the early 70s and this so far far and away the worst the league has ever been that a real discussion would be painful for an ACC fan.

[Silvie Lysandra]

Gary has to be fired (or persuaded to resign). Anyone defending him at this point is like defending Larry Brown as a coach, or Ernie Grunfeld as a GM.

Yes, we had a great run in the early part of the decade. Yes, Gary revived the program. But the fact is, as great as he is as a coach, the name of the game in college sports is recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. And Gary is not only bad at recruiting, he flat out doesn't give a **** about it. And in the DC, Maryland and VA area, there is absolutely no excuse for him to not put together top 25 recruiting classes, year in and year out (even if you buy into GW's supposed hatred of one-and-doneism, guys like Kyle Singler and John Henson stay multiple years, and his graduation rate is pretty terrible anyway).

If you want to get an understanding of how bad Maryland's talent has been, VCU and Maryland, since 2002, have the same number of NBA first rounders - one.

I'm going to repeat it in big and bold letters so I make it clear.

There is NO excuse for a school in the middle of Prince Georges County, the best county in the country for basketball talent, to consistently have terrible recruiting classes. None.


As for his record; since 2002, we made the Sweet 16 only ONCE since that year. The other 4 NCAA appearances we were out in the 2nd round or earlier. We also made the NIT 3 times. For many programs this is okay. However, we're allegedly an elite basketball program. Yet Georgetown is clearly better than us, Tech and Va are as good. Hell, I don't think we're that far above a team like Mason or VCU right now.

If you are a MD fan and fine with being a middle-tier program, then by all means, keep Gary until he retires.

But if you actually want to be a legitimate contender for the Final Four, he has to go, or at least be given a mandate to change his recruiting style. Constantly trying to find diamonds in the rough like Dixon and Baxter is not a long-term winning strategy.

[Cramer]

I'd start with blow it out your ass but I'll...no......I'll start with blow it out your ass.

Before I end with blow it out your ass I'll ask who it is you have coming in that would be an upgrade to Gary?

You also do remember all the people saying the same crap right before Gary won a national championship, right? Well, probably not, you were in what, 7th grade?

Oh yea....let me wrap it up with blow it out your ass.