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Maryland lost to the number 3 team in the country, Kentucky, last night by a final score of 72-69. Even though this is a game in the loss column for the Terps, they looked great with perseverance and a refusal to give in. Kentucky is a young team full of top prospects, and Nerlens Noel is arguably the best freshman in the NCAA. Despite the intimidation factor of facing a team coached by John Calipari, and a team full of young talent, Maryland performed and hung in there. Dez Wells is one of the biggest stories on this team since he was just made eligible to play a few days before tipoff, but other Terps chipped in with encouraging performances. Even considering a loss, you can’t blame the Terrapins, this was a game most thought they didn’t have a chance in., but they fought.
Alex Len in particular started the 2012-13 season with a bang. Len contributed 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. Len, a 7-footer from the Ukraine, showed some sparks of greatness, even in the loss. He has a developed post game with shoulder moves followed by fall-away shots and a soft touch to finish the combination with 2 points. His motor is also in constant drive mode getting back on defense to block and alter shots from the opposition. Len’s soft touch also shows promise from the 15 to 20 foot range. Head Coach Mark Turgeon is counting on Len to be the player that it looks like he will be, as not only an offensive producer, but also a force defensively collapsing into the paint or contesting shots from mid-range. Len will also help against better offensive rebounding teams, limiting their second chances by denying easy buckets.
The other most significant bright spot for Maryland is Nick Faust. Fasut did note produce much at all in the second half against Kentucky, but he has the athleticism and talent to be a top performer in the ACC this season, in his sophomore year. Against the Wildcats he had 11 points, 9 of which were in the first half, but his 0-for-5 behind the arc was demoralizing. He does have a feel for scoring the rock in traffic, and in the lane, which is a good sign of a true competitive scorer. His ability to burn past opponents, or elevate above anyone his size for an “open” shot, should frighten challenging teams. If this kid can get loose from deep and hit three-pointers at a rate of 30% or better, when combined with the rest of his game, he will be one of the best offensive performers in all of NCAA basketball this year. Also, the fight and determination in Faust is evident every time there is a transitional play or lose ball. Watch this kid closely because he could rapidly climb the ranks and become a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
Other positives to watch for in Maryland this season is the fight and leadership of co-captain James Padgett, the outside shooting of freshman Jake Layman, the tight defense and shooting of freshman Seth Allen, and the surprising contribution of freshman Charles Mitchell in the post both scoring and rebounding.
The Terps need their bench to help out more in the first half so they aren’t playing catch up for the final 20 minutes. In the first half last night Kentucky’s bench outscored Maryland’s 17-to-0. The Terrapins also won’t be able to live up to their potential if co-captain Pe’Shon Howard, and Dez Wells continue to struggle for any substantial amount of time. Both Howard and Well struggled from the floor shooting a combined 3-for-20 from the field, just unacceptable. These two players specifically need to shake the nerves loose and produce consistently for Maryland to win games in the ACC and NCAA tournaments. If they do fit into the schemes and perform this team will cause all sorts of trouble for their opponents, and the Terps will break into the top 25.
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