Here's teh way i see it.For many faithful Maryland followers the start of the basketball season can’t come fast enough considering the so far dismal campaign the football team is having. The Terps have been ranked in the pre-season top 25 by several publications. What can we look forward to and what questions need to be answered. Terp fans are anxiously looking forward to seeing freshman Jordan Williams, a 6-10 center from Connecticut and 6-8 forward-center James Padgett from New York. Can either or both make the starting line-up and give much needed help in the paint to a Maryland team that had little height or depth on the frontline last year. I don’t expect either to provide much scoring early in the season but Williams will probably be asked to score points as the season goes on. These 2 freshman need to be able to rebound, play defense and create a physical presence inside for Maryland to be successful this year. Landon Milbourne would be one player to benefit if Williams and Padgett get into the starting line-up. The 6-7 senior from Georgia had to play as an undersized power forward last year and the hope is the left-hander can move to a more comfortable small forward position where his size, athleticism and hustle would make him a greater scoring threat. Cliff Tucker at 6-6 returns for his junior year. The swingman from El Paso can shoot the three and is very good handling the ball and could be used as a point forward, shooting guard and play the point if needed. I look for Tucker to have a break-out year. Dino Gregory is back for 3rd year and the Baltimore native will probably be asked to score more from the inside as the 2 freshmen develop. Gregory showed promise as a defender last year and his hustle stood out. Though an undersized 6-7 he is best playing in the paint.

This year’s backcourt will need to play at consistently high level considering the teams lack of experience and depth in the low post. 6-6 senior Greivis Vasquez will run the point for the Red and White. Vasquez, who worked-out for a number of NBA teams before last summers pro draft is the leader of the team. Vasquez has terrific court sense and plays with a flair. The Venezuelan needs to be more consistent with his outside shot and work on his quickness, particularly his first step and be more aggressive on defense. If Greivis can take his game to the next level he will be rewarded with millions in the NBA draft next summer. Sean Mosley, the solidly built 6-4 guard from Baltimore begins his sophomore year as the Vasquez’s running mate in the backcourt. Mosley plays tough defense, goes hard after loose balls and hits the boards well for a guard. He lacks great athleticism but makes up for that with a very strong body, hustle and excellent court sense. Mosley had trouble shooting the outside shot as well as finishing on drives last year. Hopefully he can improve in those areas as the Terps need points from him this year. Eric Hayes, the heady 6-4 guard from Woodbridge will more than likely be the Terps 6th man. An excellent ball handler with probably the best 3 point shot on the team, Hayes has been slowed this summer with turf toe, which is a tough injury when playing basketball. Hayes showed in the Duke game at Durham last year he is capable of scoring points in bunches and it is imperative that he be healthy or the Terps will lose a great asset. Hayes isn’t very quick nor is he very strong and if his turf toe doesn’t heal well his game will suffer. If healthy, expect to see Hayes play starter minutes and be on the floor during crunch time. His experience, handle and outside shooting are needed. Yo Adrian Bowie is back for his junior year. The 6-2 former Terrapin ball boy is Maryland’s most athletic guard who is very good driving to the hole. Bowie spent time in Houston this summer with former Terrapins All-American point guard John Lucas. Bowie needs to learn how to drive, draw the defense to him and then kick the ball out to an open teammate. To me that part of the game is based a lot on a “feel” for the game and I’m not sure Bowie has the “feel” to be a really good point guard, but I sure hope I’m wrong. Adrian also needs to be more consistent with his outside shot. At 6-2 his size works against him playing the off guard where many guys are 6-4 and taller and very athletic.starts his second year at College Park. The 6’8” thin as a rail forward played sparingly last year. Jin is known for his outside shooting which will be needed on a team without many top notch 3 point shooters. In the few games he played last year it seemed Jin had trouble getting into the flow of the game. Steve Goins is now a sophomore who just had surgery on his knee. Hopefully he can recover quickly. At 6-10” the Terps could sure use his size off the bench, particularly with 2 freshmen big men on the team who are expected to play significant minutes. David Pearman and Ersin Levent round out the roster. Here’s hoping these 2 guys are to Gary what the cigar was to Red Auerbach.