Fun and/or Gun

A week or so ago, I read an article about the coming Terps season which talked about how the Terps were going to run more this year. Without the three high scorers from last year, it was going to be a new look roster so the team was going to have a new look stylistically to take advantage of the current team's strengths.

When I read all this, I was a little skeptical, first because the Terps were already a team that likes to push the tempo. Always have been under Gary. That's simply the way his teams play. But more than that, it just seemed like one of those articles which gets written addressing a weakness where the coach spins it into a positive. Just like the past few years with a lack of post depth and often talent, we had heard about seeing a four guard, Villanova-esque offense, something that never really came to fruition, at least not as more than a look for a play or two every few games.

But after watching the Terps' destruction of Florida Southern (and, of course, all the standard disclaimers about it being just one game, and an exhibition against a DII team at that, apply in this case), it seems like there might really be something to this fastbreak style we're looking to implement.

How up and down did the Terps play? The 87 possessions were far more than the Terps had even in their fastest game (80 was tops in that ugly 62-53 loss at Clemson) and in fact it was their most since a 103-91 loss at Virginia way back in January 2007. The Terps were able to get out on the break by forcing turnovers against the opposing guards, something they won't be able to do as readily against quality opponents. Still, the team only forced 23 turnovers, which is not an extraordinarily high number. The fast pace was at least as much the result of quick shots out of the half court offense, something the team will have to rely without a reliable point guard game, at least for now.

Anyway, based on the scrimmage and exhibition, I'd rate the six newcomers thusly:

1. Gunnar Stahl - He's shown really good passing instincts as well as the ability to hit the three. I'm not sure where he fits exactly, but he should play.

2. Terrell Stoglin - Really should probably be #1, but the 1/5 A/TO ratio from Monday hurts him. Granted most were late in the game when the team was up 50, but still. Stoglin has shown he can hit a three and has some quicks, so he's going to be a player unlike any we've had recently.

3. Flying Dutchman - Not a bad debut at all. I've been pretty confident that he can be the fourth big man, and so far, I see nothing to change my mind. He's really active and long, and doesn't seem entirely lost with the ball in his hands.

4. Black Greivis - Maybe my expectations were too high (see: his nickname). He played well on Monday, but struggled a lot in the scrimmage. I've been pretty surprised that when he and Stoglin are both in the game, it's Stoglin running the point. Interesting.

5. Get Money - Sick athleticism, a couple good dunks, and a really unselfish pass to Mosley on the break the other night to sacrifice two points for himself. But he really doesn't seem to be in the flow of the offense yet and looks to struggle for minutes.

6. Brooklyn Area Sleeper - He actually looked pretty decent and active on Monday, especially for a guy who missed last year and was also in his first collegiate game. That being said, he's played the least minutes of anyone on the team, and doesn't look like he's going to crack the rotation this season.