Herman Veal Chops

Before I begin my back court preview, I think it is important to note that the Turtles have perhaps the most athletic backcourt in their history. I know that is saying something. The Terps have had some great backcourt players over the years, but this year’s squad should be Gary’s best. The four-headed monster of Gilchrist-Strawberry-Jones-McCray will present some serious match up problems all over the league.

BACKCOURT

John Gilchrist: Besides Juan Dixon, I cannot recall a Maryland guard that completely took over games like Gilchrist did last year. As Bill Simmons like to say, Gilchrist made “the leap” during last year’s ACC Tournament. His performance was something that Terp fans have never witnessed before. He single-handedly led the team back against NC State and Duke and made himself a front-runner for ACC Player of the Year this season. However questions remain about his consistency. Can Gilchrist sustain that level of performance for the whole season? If the Gilchrist from the ACC Tournament shows up this season, we are going to the Final Four. End of story.

Chris McCray: The key for McCray this year will be to develop consistency with his jump shot(there's the "C" word again). He might be the team’s best defender. He showed flashes last year of being able to hit the big shot, but then there were stretches (4 or 5 games) where he couldn’t hit a three if his life depended on it. Which McCray will we see this year? If he doesn’t step up his game and demonstrate a consistent jump shot, there are people who will be ready to step in.

Mike Jones: Terps fans could not get enough of Mike Jones last year. Every time he came out onto to floor, Terps fans went nuts. We all drank the Kool-Aid on this guy. He represents the most consistent and reliable shooter the Terps have. Gary was careful in the way he employed the athletic sharpshooter last year. It was clear that Jones had difficulty adjusting to college early on and didn’t play enough defense to get on Gary’s good side. Jones has the athletic ability to be a great defender and I think he will demonstrate that this year. He can create his own shot and has no problem going to the hole. Jones seems poised to have a break out year and I think that he will be a difference maker out there for the Terps. Look for Jones to challenge Chris McCray all season long for the starting position. Gary is loyal to his veterans and McCray is clearly the starter at the 2 spot. My view is that Jones is just too talented for Gary to keep off the court. The challenge will be for Gary to find minutes for all of these talented players. My advice would be to go with the hot hand and whoever displays the ability to consistently hit the three and score form the charity stripe.

By the way, is anyone else still smarting from the last play of the Syracuse game in the NCAA tournament last year? I can still see Mike Jones standing wide open at or near the top of the key as Straw launches that horrendous baseline shot. Pass the ball, DJ, Pass the ball!! (I am going to have convulsions if I don’t stop).

DJ Strawberry: Does anyone try harder out there than this guy? Gary loves his tenacity and it’s clear that he will be matched up against the opponents top backcourt scorer. He provided a spark off the bench and he’s good for at least one momentum swinging play per game. That being said, he has no outside shot and he can’t score from the free throw line. How do you play shooting guard in the ACC with no outside shot? I look for Gary to move DJ between the 2 and 3 positions. With Jones and McCray firmly entrenched at the 2 spot, and Ledbetter penciled in as Gilchrist’s backup. Where will DJ find minutes? I think he is too small to play small forward in the ACC, but I’m guessing that Gary will use a small lineup during periods of games this year.

Sterling Ledbetter: Before this guy even puts on a uniform, he already is in the starting lineup of the Terps all-time name team, or as I like to call it: The Herman Veal Group. The Herman Veal team looks like this:

1. Herman Veal (chairman and founder)
2. Sterling Ledbetter
3. Jerrod Mustaf
4. Xree Hipp
5. Teyon McCoy

Note: African names like Obinna Ekezie don't count since that is probably a normal name in Nigeria.

The bottom-line is that I don’t know much about this guy, but I do know that the Terps were a disaster when Gilchrist was out of the game last year. If Ledbetter is a natural point guard (which is what I’ve heard) and can take care of the rock and distribute it, then we will be a better team; especially if Gilchrist gets into foul trouble. Ledbetter doesn’t even need to shoot the ball.

Final Analysis

Being a coach is tough. Sometimes you don’t have enough good players and sometimes you have too many. The Terps will have to find minutes for five players that play only two positions. Gilchrist, McCray, Jones, Straw, and Ledbetter will be fighting for minutes all year. I don’t see how Gary can keep all of these guys happy throughout the season. I would not be surprised if one of these guys looks to transfer if he doesn’t see his minutes increase. Given that Gary loves Straw, is loyal to veterans (McCray), and desperately needs a backup point guard (Ledbetter); I am afraid that Jones may be the odd man out. He is the most gifted of all of these players, yet somehow he could be left out. Personally, I don’t think this team is going anywhere without Jones in the lineup, but he could be in for a roller coaster ride this year. I just hope he hangs on and doesn’t jump ship and pull an Andre Collins on us.

It’s hard to handicap the season in college ball. You never know how new players will blend in to existing units and change the chemistry. That being said, the Terps should have a good year. The non-conference schedule is not as tough as in year’s past. The tough games are a neutral site contest against Memphis and a road game at Wisconsin. Wisconsin will not be as strong because their best player from last season is now in the NBA. Look for the Terps to prevail in their non-conference games this year.

The ACC is always tough and you can never count on road wins. Look for losses at NC State, at Wake, at Duke, at Carolina and at GaTech. I think that a 22-5 regular season record is attainable and with the ACC Tournament at the MCI Center this year, does anyone smell back-to-back ACC Titles?

Look for my next posting in couple of days. I will be discussing the other schools in the ACC including the new additions, Miami and Va Tech.