6 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Testudo Times: MD Basketball Roundtable
http://www.testudoti...e-top-questions

Nice quick read from Testudo Times, with their writers asking each other a few questions about the Terps. How would you answer the questions they posed?

1) "Alright, we're almost one year into the Turgeon era - What do you think? Is this what you expected for Turgeon?"

2) "We all knew the 2011-2012 season was going to be a little challenging but Maryland was more competitive then most expected. What has impressed you most about Turgeon's coaching ability?"

3) "When Stoglin said he was coming back, Maryland was a trendy top 25 pick to start the 2012-2013 season. With his departure, what are your expectations for this team next year?"

[Mike B]

Good article.
I really do not think we have seen the real Turgeon yet. I think he kept things very vanilla last year. No trapping defense, very little to no press and an inside out offense that at times was really an outside offense. Turgeon did not really have a consistent low post guy. I really do not think it is a coincindence that Charles Mitchell, Shaq, Delmonte Dodd all reported low post guys were brought in. He also, is bringing in shooters to compliment the inside game.
As for what impresses me, he obviously has a plan (see above) and he is in charge. The players report to him and not the other way around. I want to see if his scheme develops more into a half courting trapping team, and drops into a solid man to man, help side D.
As for next year. Still no real point guard but good physical front court players. If Faust devlops his long game and Cassell, Aronhalt, Layman and others are consistent with the outside jumper, it may allow the young inside players to do some damage.
I say 18-12 type bubble team. Maryland again drew the short straw on the ACC schedule so that would be progress.

[Luke Jackson]

"Alright, we're almost one year into the Turgeon era - What do you think? Is this what you expected for Turgeon?"

Had no idea what to expect from Turgeon other than him being a straight shooter with the media. I figured once he hired Dalonte Hill that he was going to leave no stone unturned with regards to recruiting, and that's turned out to be true. Other than, I was going in blind with Turgeon and he's impressed me.

"We all knew the 2011-2012 season was going to be a little challenging but Maryland was more competitive then most expected. What has impressed you most about Turgeon's coaching ability?"

Again, I had no idea what Turgeon was like as a coach.

"When Stoglin said he was coming back, Maryland was a trendy top 25 pick to start the 2012-2013 season. With his departure, what are your expectations for this team next year?"

Well, I think the most interesting thing was how quickly Turgeon cleaned house, directly or indirectly. There are only TWO Gary guys left (Padgett and Pe'Shon), which I think is remarkable. So the players that are left are either Turgeon guys or Gary guys that have bought into what Turgeon is selling. This makes me think that Turgeon won't be growing as much gray hair as last year, and won't have any moments like he did with Stoglin where he yelled "I CAN'T COACH THIS KID!" Obviously, the recruiting Turge has done has been significant and particularly such considering how early he is into his tenure. I don't know about 2012-13 (weakened ACC helps), but I think it's obvious that Maryland is going to be in on elite recruits -- as they should be -- in the present and in the future, which should bode success for Turgeon long-term.

[bnickle]

Here is a bold prediction for you.

Turge ends up directing a better overall program here than Gary did. Now, I'm not predicting a National Championship though it is certainly possible but I'm talking about year to year consistent program. Outside of the 2 years in '01-02 Gary never made it past the Sweet 16. I've said before and I'll say again that was an aligning of the stars. Dixon, Baxter, Blake all were terrific college players who far exceeded their HS rankings and by luck happened to be in the program at the same time. Just a coming together of the right players at the right time sprinkled in with a great prospect in Wilcox with very good role players like Mouton, Holden, Nicholas. Now, I'm not saying the those teams or Gary's coaching those years were a fluke I'm saying it was a fluke how it all came together. Perfect players at the perfect time and place, and the proof again is that Gary never got over that Sweet 16 hump before those guys and never did it after those guys. During the Gary Era( 89- '11) as a whole I would say the program was top 20- 25. In the best years '95-02 we were a legit top 15 program, arguably better, but outside of that 8 year run you really can't argue it was top 30. I say Turge finds a way to be more consistent. I honestly believe he can sustain us as a top 15 program during his tenure here.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Here is a bold prediction for you.

Turge ends up directing a better overall program here than Gary did. Now, I'm not predicting a National Championship though it is certainly possible but I'm talking about year to year consistent program. Outside of the 2 years in '01-02 Gary never made it past the Sweet 16. I've said before and I'll say again that was an aligning of the stars. Dixon, Baxter, Blake all were terrific college players who far exceeded their HS rankings and by luck happened to be in the program at the same time. Just a coming together of the right players at the right time sprinkled in with a great prospect in Wilcox with very good role players like Mouton, Holden, Nicholas. Now, I'm not saying the those teams or Gary's coaching those years were a fluke I'm saying it was a fluke how it all came together. Perfect players at the perfect time and place, and the proof again is that Gary never got over that Sweet 16 hump before those guys and never did it after those guys. During the Gary Era( 89- '11) as a whole I would say the program was top 20- 25. In the best years '95-02 we were a legit top 15 program, arguably better, but outside of that 8 year run you really can't argue it was top 30. I say Turge finds a way to be more consistent. I honestly believe he can sustain us as a top 15 program during his tenure here.

You know I am in the tank for Gary (I've said before he's been my favorite figure in all of sports), but I generally agree with you. I don't think Turgeon is quite as good of a coach, but he is no slouch. He is young, with a strong attention to detail, and he is hungry. He has a staff that is on everyone right now, and even if Spinelli leaves in the next year or two; I'm sure he will replace him with another high quality recruiter / Asst.

Maryland should absolutely be a Top 15 program annually, and I do agree that Turgeon is going to have the Terps primed for a sustained run of success. I think MD can be a Top 25 team this year, and be a real factor Nationally the two following years.

[bnickle]

Here is a bold prediction for you.

Turge ends up directing a better overall program here than Gary did. Now, I'm not predicting a National Championship though it is certainly possible but I'm talking about year to year consistent program. Outside of the 2 years in '01-02 Gary never made it past the Sweet 16. I've said before and I'll say again that was an aligning of the stars. Dixon, Baxter, Blake all were terrific college players who far exceeded their HS rankings and by luck happened to be in the program at the same time. Just a coming together of the right players at the right time sprinkled in with a great prospect in Wilcox with very good role players like Mouton, Holden, Nicholas. Now, I'm not saying the those teams or Gary's coaching those years were a fluke I'm saying it was a fluke how it all came together. Perfect players at the perfect time and place, and the proof again is that Gary never got over that Sweet 16 hump before those guys and never did it after those guys. During the Gary Era( 89- '11) as a whole I would say the program was top 20- 25. In the best years '95-02 we were a legit top 15 program, arguably better, but outside of that 8 year run you really can't argue it was top 30. I say Turge finds a way to be more consistent. I honestly believe he can sustain us as a top 15 program during his tenure here.

You know I am in the tank for Gary (I've said before he's been my favorite figure in all of sports), but I generally agree with you. I don't think Turgeon is quite as good of a coach, but he is no slouch. He is young, with a strong attention to detail, and he is hungry. He has a staff that is on everyone right now, and even if Spinelli leaves in the next year or two; I'm sure he will replace him with another high quality recruiter / Asst.

Maryland should absolutely be a Top 15 program annually, and I do agree that Turgeon is going to have the Terps primed for a sustained run of success. I think MD can be a Top 25 team this year, and be a real factor Nationally the two following years.

And that is the other thing to keep in mind. I think the expectations have been lowered here over the last 9 years or so but you are right saying that this team should be a top 15 program. So, essentially what I'm saying is Turge brings this program to where it should be after Gary underachieved for much of the last decade.

[8istheman]

The Terps are on the way back. Turg is just starting to establish a foundation. I think this team will win 15-20 games this year. The wild card to me is point guard play. With decent to good PG play 23 wins. I am looking forward to see how the freshman play. Fear the Turtle is back.