357 replies to this topic

[BSLMikeLowe]

The portal is closed for entrants. Anyone who gets their name in there by the deadline can still go to a new school and play as long as they are enrolled in time to be eligible for fall term.

[BaltBird 24]

How's it looking with that big man from North Dakota State?

[BSLMikeLowe]

How's it looking with that big man from North Dakota State?

 

I heard Kentucky reached out to him after they missed on Dickinson. He's said to have a lot of suitors. No idea if MD is among them. I think he also intends to go to the NBA combine and test those waters.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Currently something like:  (5/16 EDIT)

Guards: Young, Harris-Smith, Stephens, Long, Lamothe
Wings: Kaiser, Geronimo, Batchelor

Bigs: Reese, Scott, Traore, Swanton-Rodger, Pierce

 

 

After losing out on Dickinson, saw a couple of articles saying... "For the best, difficult to have Reese and him together, and that would mean more of Scott at the 3." 

 

I do think Scott bulking back up and being an undersized 4 makes the most sense for the roster.....  but at the minimum, the roster still needs another big that figures to get more minutes than Swanton-Rodger, and Pierce. 

[BSLMikeLowe]

I do think Scott bulking back up and being an undersized 4 makes the most sense for the roster.....  but at the minimum, the roster still needs another big that figures to get more minutes than Swanton-Rodger, and Pierce. 

 

While I would prefer another big, I'm not 100% sure that's what Willard will do (assuming he did not know Martinez was leaving during his pursuit of Dickinson). With Martinez joining Hart and Carey as departures, they have now lost their three most proven perimeter defenders.

 

Defense tends to come slower for players making a jump in levels, so it's tough to say how much we should count on any of the freshmen at that end of the court. Geronimo looks like a good defender, but with his length he's probably more suited to guard 3/4 rather than the backcourt. No idea WRT Stephens.

 

With those kinds of question marks, I would not be surprised if Willard decides to go after someone of Martinez's profile rather than a big guy, and just crosses his fingers that either Pierce or CSR can give him valuable minutes inside, and maybe Geronimo if the matchups afford them the opportunity to go small.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Who could they have added that is no longer there? Names.

Freaking Willard, chasing Dickinson when he could’ve had *checks notes* Qudus Wahab!

[BoomerFT]

I believe the Terps are in good shape, especially with the incoming guard/wing players.
Good article below concerning the incoming freshmen.
https://247sports.co...-202-209445110/

[BoomerFT]

Mady Traore's commitment to the Terps may not make a lot of sense? Maybe Willard sees something that others don't. With Swanton Rodger & Pierce, is either one going to stand out? I would say Pierce will probably be the best option going forward, but we will see. Just hate to see them waste a roster spot by not getting someone that can make somewhat of an impact. Hopefully, this commitment works out.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Mady Traore's commitment to the Terps may not make a lot of sense? Maybe Willard sees something that others don't. With Swanton Rodger & Pierce, is either one going to stand out? I would say Pierce will probably be the best option going forward, but we will see. Just hate to see them waste a roster spot by not getting someone that can make somewhat of an impact. Hopefully, this commitment works out.

With Reese's propensity for getting himself into foul trouble, having front court depth is crucial. We saw how lacking they were on that front all year, especially in the NCAA Tournament. Adding an extra body was important, and likely signals they won't be using Scott as the 5 in small lineups (though I never really saw that as a possibility).

 

I do worry a bit about how much Billmeier's departure will impact the front court development. They got more than anyone expected out of Emilien last year, and they'll need similar development if they want to get good minutes from Pierce, Swanton-Rodger, and Traore.

[BoomerFT]

Maybe, but adding Traore is not going to get Pierce or CSR any more court time, if anything, less. There are better players still in the portal. Maybe Willard is just looking to see which of those 3 players will rise to the top.

[BaltBird 24]

Willard hasn't done a great job with the portal this off-season.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Willard hasn't done a great job with the portal this off-season.

At this point, especially for transfers, making additions is less about fit or a coach's recruiting ability and more about the boosters' wallets. Until they're willing to shell out millions per year for the cream of the crop, Maryland is going to have to build in other ways. They have the 20th-best incoming class (freshman and transfers combined), which I think is pretty solid given the big three of Young, Scott, and Reese coming back.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Chance Stephens has suffered a ruptured patella tendon and will likely miss the entire 2023-24 season. An early blow to the team’s depth.

[Mike B]

Chance Stephens has suffered a ruptured patella tendon and will likely miss the entire 2023-24 season. An early blow to the team’s depth.

Tough break for the kid and the team.    The freshman are going to have to step up.

[BaltBird 24]

Likely wasn't going to be a huge contributor but yeah sucks as far as depth is concerned.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Ian Martinez to the portal. Guess that explains how they would have fit Dickinson.

Martinez is headed to Utah State.

[BSLMikeLowe]

He must really like Utah.

[BSLRoseKatz]

He must really like Utah.

 

A place known for its vibrant Costa Rican population I'm sure