As nice as it would be to have Stephenson, I wonder if it would be better long term to make a bigger push at Vinson. I would assume a move back to the 3 is in store for Milbourne and we have some guards. I guess a big factor will be what Vasquez decides to do. If he does leave we could be left a little short at the guard position.

Scott...I totally agree with you...the Stephenson process has gone on too long and to be quite honest, I get tired of all the hoopla about a high school kid setting a "press conference" date to let everyone know where he is going. It kinda reminds me of the Logan-El fiasco in football a few years ago. Stephenson would only be here a year anyway. Vinson (by my understanding) would like to be a Terp, is a top 100 recruit and certainly could boost the 2009 class with Padgett and Williams.

Couldn't agree more with the first two posts. While it would be great to have a talent like Stephenson on the team, I think bringing in a player like Vinson would be better long term for the program. He wants to be a Terp, is a top-100 recruit, and will be a multi-year player. The one plus in bringing in Stephenson would be the attention it brings the program. However, the limited positives are outweighed by the negatives (one and done player, a "me first" type player from what I've seen).

Make no bones about it, if Stephenson is as good as they say he is, Maryland needed him. One year or not, I'm not sure how much better next years team will be without him. You gotta figure some of the teams that finished below MD in the ACC are going to be improved. The teams that finished towards the top of the conference are always at the top. Maryland developed no big men this year. None. Untested freshmen or untested juniors...that's the option. When that last scholarship opens up because GV departs, what are we left with?

By all accounts, it appears that Stephenson is headed to Kansas. Last night, the Jayhawks seemed to be one more offensive threat, i.e., "Born Ready," from making another legitimate Final 4 run. With all of the attention surrounding him, however, as a likely "one-and-done" player, with a reported "me-first" attitude, questionable work ethic and, like most every other freshmen, a probable lack of understanding regarding the increased effort and dedication college ball requires (to be read: the intensity required by Williams of his players), Maryland may be better off in the long term with Vinson. For some reason, a marriage between Williams and Stephenson sounds like a potential bomb waiting to explode (aka, John Gilchrist.)

Vinson, on the other hand, is a Baltimore-based, top-100 national recruit who, by all accounts, would come to Maryland if a scholarship became available. He would be a quality multi-year player whose addition would resonate with Maryland's future Baltimore recruiting efforts. And, while he doesn't significantly add to the Terps' outside shooting prowess, team speed and/or overall team athleticism, he is a solidly built, tough, fundamentally sound and strong rebounding small forward who can help take some pressure off of next year's youthful front line. As well, he can provide some much needed relief to Milbourne at the 3 or 4. To me, he resembles a latter day Keith Booth, or simply a bigger version of Sean Mosely. Either way, if so, I don't think anyone would snicker at his addition to the Terps.

As far as where a scholarship for Vinson will materialize, however, gaining Vinson at the expense of Vasquez would seem to pose an immediate, albeit temporary, offensive setback to the Terps.

KANSAS IS AGAIN BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NCAA FOR RECRUITING VIOLATIONS

It's too bad Lance is going to Kansas. His game is much better suited for Gary Williams' pressing and transition style of play than being a glorified ball boy for Cole Adrich and the other monsters Kansas has manning the post. Adrich doesn't even bother running the floor on a break, pathetic. Kansas has small quick little guards (5'11" - 6'1") that basically, dribble around until they can dish it off to the Post in one way or another, or jack a three.

MD on the other hand utilizes tall quick guards in a variety of ways depending upon what the other team's defensive weaknesses are. Gary Williams produced Walt Williams (6'8"), a NBA lottery pick. He was a tall versatile point guard who had a long NBA career. He is producing Grevis Vasquez (6'6") another tall versatile guard. He also produced Steve "Franchise" Francis (6'4"), another lottery pick, NBA versatile guard who has had a stellar NBA career. Even Steve Blake was 6'4" and now is a starting point guard in the NBA. Kansas produced Danny Manning, one of the nicest guys to play in the NBA, but he's not a guard. They produced Mario Chalmers whose father got a job on Bill Self's staff rather supiciously. Chalmers is another Kansas little guard who is nothing like Lance. ESPN has video where a NCAA representative says they are looking into several package deals in an effort to thwart the practice.

At Kansas, Lance is going to disapear into the recruiting machine that Coach Bill Self pays for. Lance will be one of a dozen McD AAs. If Lance doesn't end up liking his role as a ball waiter for Cole Aldrich, Bill Self will just start another McD AA instead. Bill Self's game plan just doesn't change. And he doesn't have to change because he has so many options on his bench. Lance will have to change his game to fit into the prodding Kansas style of play which will make him just disapear. This will definitely hurt his NBA prospects. If you doubt that there will be another McD AA point guard coming in, well then try not looking at John Wall (number one overall according to Scout.com) who is most likely going to Kansas albeit under a cloud of scrutiny. You see Kansas is just coming off of a three year period of NCAA probabtion, and KANSAS IS AGAIN BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NCAA.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3846492
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LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas officials are checking to see if basketball coach Bill Self's brief encounter with a top recruit might constitute an NCAA infraction.

Self agrees he said hello to John Wall, a 6-foot-4 guard who had just played in a high school tournament in Springfield, Mo. It happened during an evaluation period last week when college coaches are not allowed contact with prospects other than to exchange greetings.

"We are aware of the report, and the administration is looking into it," said Chris Theisen, a Kansas spokesman.

Wall is rated the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2009 and top-rated point guard in the ESPNU 100. ...

Kansas is in the final year of a three-year NCAA probation for violations in football and men's basketball.

"If that exchange, which is all it was, is a problem, then our administration will deal with it," Self said. "I certainly by no means am I going to deny that basically that happened. But the reason I was back in the back was to say hi to the coaches after the game."
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If this turns out to be a problem and Self even admits to it, then Kansas is going to be slammed by the NCAA for loss of control because they are just coming off of probation. If that happens, all those McD AA's will have thrown away their careers.

This should be interesting to watch unfold.

At any rate, best wishes to him whatever his choice is.

Go Terps!

Zag's blog reported that Gary was at Lance's game yesterday, so maybe all is not lost. Not sure Gary would make the trip just to see Padgett, so maybe Gary thinks we still have a chance...

When is the NCAA going to clean-up this recruiting mess by UCONN, KANSAS, UCLA and MEMPHIS to name a few? It is not about giving kids shirts anymore or a free meal. These coaches know exactly what they are doing. Hats off to Gary for keeping it clean.

Bill Self's explanation is crock of pooh pooh. He was only going back to say hi to the high school coaches...anyone buying it? How bizarre too Self that your star recruits coaches and parents end up working at KU. Also how bazarre that the players may still be in the locker room after a game. Just like Calhoun saying he was unaware that calling a recruit 5-10 times a day was against the rules. Hey Jim, how about paying for the kid's medical bills, does that strike you as possibly something illegal? Come on NCAA, I realize these programs mean big bucks to you but keep the playing field level. Inforce the infractions that are a detriment to all of your members.

STEPHENSON, make the right decision. That goes for you too SMITH, BARTON, BUIE, McKie and a future PG to be named later...

wow, all i hear is a lot of whining and crying from some desperate fans of a johnny come lately basketball team.

"KANSAS IS AGAIN BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NCAA."

haha, right. self runs into a kid and does exactly what the rules allow him to do... "hey you played well, but i can't talk to you, see ya." and you guys act like this was felonious or something. at the end of the day, you guys are just upset that gary doesn't roll his sleeves up and get into the trenches like the rest of the top coaches. and if we really want to talk about recruiting violations, how about oj mayo and usc....i don't know how that program dodged that bullet. probably something about being in a big market west of the Mississippi.

at 1145 on tuesday, Lance will put on a Kansas hat and say, "I'm taking my game to Kansas."

Well, Gary has recruited so-called "me-first, selfish, one-and-doners" in the past and the results were pretty spectacular. Anyone remember Steve Francis? And until the St. John's choke in the sweet 16, the Terps were having a great year.

Hey Rob! Blah,Blah,Blah- LS ain't coming here,never was coming here so deal with it. Oh and as for the other 4 you mentioned, what path do you think they're gonna follow. Gary will keep finding kids that fit in his system and we'll keep gettin WAXED! by Memphis every year. The so called infractions you've mentioned take place all over the college basketball landscape and apparently aren't that big of a deal or the NCAA would act on them.With the exception of Calhoun who is a slime and deserves his do. Talk to ya next year when we're holdin our breath on selection Sunday to see whether we get in or not because we just lost to Virginia at the end of the season...Again!!!

Matt- I think I am moving on from Lance, so I wanted to ask, what is the situation with Vinson? I have said for weeks now, Vinson is the more important player for THIS program. He is a minimum 2 or 3 year guy who will scrap and really rack up double doubles.
I think he could really be a special player. Anyway. I just wanted to make sure that he is still a target if they free up a scholarship. I assume that there is gonna be a transfer. Dupree? Goins?

Wrkouthrd, do you not agree that the NCAA needs to come down hard on the "slime" coaches like Calipari, Self and Calhoun? I realize this happens all over the landscape of basketball but these guys are egregious.

Quite frankly I do not care if Stephenson comes to UM at this point. This whole build up thing is what you usually see from "me" type players. Kids should realize that you keep programs in limbo by making them wait and it damages their recruiting efforts. If he goes to KU he will not put up big numbers due to their system and it will effect his NBA draft. But you get what you deserve. Do you think that Evans really bolstered his chances this year playing for Memphis? What about Jennings who ditched MD to go to Louisville? How about Gilchrist at USF. Gus is getting a lot of exposure down there...to the sun. Some of these kids are idiots and get exactly what the deserve. Would you prefer Gary to be shady in order to have a better team? Come on Wrkouthrd, your time in the gym must be hurting your judgement. Remember to breath next time while you are curling.

Ryan -- Vinson's looking at Maryland, Cincinnati and UMass, with Charlotte hanging around as well. I'll try to catch up with him at the Charm City Challenge this weekend. And you're right on the scholarship situation. They'd still need one person to leave to free up a spot for Vinson.

We would certainly be better if the unexpected happened and Lance decides to go to Maryland. It does seem highly unlikely though. However, you can't deny what the NCAA has begun, an investigation into recruiting violations right after Kansas comes off of probabtion. You know,, they may do nothing about it. However, IF THERE EVER WAS A CASE TO BE MADE FOR LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL THIS IS IT.
The interesting thing here is not just that Kansas boosters are posting to blogs flaunting their lack of concern for NCAA rules, not that Bill Self commited a recruiting violation which he apparently has admitted too, its not even the possibility that Kansas gets hit with a ruling for loss of institutional control, its that BILL SELF WAS EVEN WILLING TO RISK A RECRUITING VIOLATION TO GET A PLAYER FOR THE SAME POSITION THAT LANCE WANTS TO PLAY. SO, someone needs to ask Lance, do you really think all the things Self said to you were sincere? Then why is he going so hard after John Wall? What role will Lance really have when they get a player ranked number 1 by Scout.com for the position that Lance wanted to play?
Well, honestly, I wish him well no matter what his choice is. He seems like a kid who wants a shot at redemption.

Good Luck Lance.

If Lance isn't coming to Maryland, how come he was spotted being chummy with Gary Williams after Lincoln won another New York State title up in Glens Falls a few nights ago? Why would Gary Williams even BE in an armpit like Glens Falls, New York if he had no shot at Lance coming to Maryland? Hmmmm. A backcourt of Lance and Greivis would certainly shut up those ignorant Memphis fans.