College basketball tipped off last night. While most people were watching the Champions Classic, I had eyes on the two teams my allegiances lie with: University of Maryland and Towson University.
Let's start with UMD. I'm notably pretty pessimistic about the Terrapins because I don't believe in their head coach, Mark Turgeon. However, what that feeling of pessimism often covers up is my belief in the amount of talent that the Terps possess. This roster is good, and they looked good at QU. Qudus Wahab (Georgetown transfer), was dominant down low, looking like a tradition 5 which can be huge with some of the big men Maryland will face in the Big Ten. His control of the paint will also free up Donta Scott to become a true stretch 4.
I've watched Scott for several years in College Park, and I am comfortable saying that if he can gain a high level of consistency, he will be the Terps best player, and X-Factor this season. My only concern is if Fatts Russell is going to have this happen to him throughout the season:
Don't get me wrong, I love the effort, but you gotta know what battles to fight, Fatts. Albeit, one of my chief complaints about Turgeon as a coach is that he came in billed as a defensive guy and I hadn't really seen much proof of that. This play may not have worked out the way I'd want it to, but at least it shows a real commitment to defense.
I'm really happy with this start for Maryland, and should I continue to be negative about them, know that it is because I believe they can, and should be a greater program. The talent alone is enough to prove that.
I've noted both here, and on the AVGSean Podcast that I am an alum of Towson. The school hasn't been the strongest in athletics, but their head coach Pat Skerry has put together some solid teams in Baltimore. To me, this is a make it or break it year on if I believe Skerry is a long-term solution for Towson. I won't bore everyone with the details of a CAA school in the early season, but I'm just going to note that this game was never particularly close, and UAlbany has either come close, or made the NCAA tournament several times in the last few years.
Great start to the season against a quality American East foe. Go Tigers.
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