The Terps sports weekend is packed with goodies all around.
I guess the headline game is Terps v Kentucky in basketball. That one is tonight at 8:30p. There are significant “win or go home” type games for Soccer and Field Hockey. Of course there is a football game, Terps at Clemson. Also, the #5 women’s basketball team is starting the season as well.
There are two big news items, 1st the Terps star forward, Dez Wells has been cleared by the NCAA to play and 2nd, footballs #1 star, Stefon Diggs is out this week at Clemson.
Wayne “the Fan”
Usually I will stick with football to the end of the season before turning to hoops as a full time passion for the rest of the sports year. This time around, I fear the turtle will finish 4-8 and I might go with hoops early. There are so many football injuries that it must indicate there is some sort of problem. Either a super-natural issue (old Indian burial ground) or a man-made disaster (curse of the Fridge). It is hard to believe that there are only 3 healthy wide receivers and that we are on the 5th qb for this season and sixth over the past year, all due to injuries.
We could be facing a historically bad game down at Clemson this weekend.
Now basketball is giving me the feeling that we could really be on to something. When I heard the Dez Wells was to be active for the Kentucky game, it really lifted my spirits. I was going to go to the ACC tournament soccer game in Germantown before the Wells announcement. Then watch the bball game on the DVR. After hearing the news, I don’t think I can miss the debut of Wells as a Terp. Plus I think we are going to beat Kentucky.
Without Dez, I think the Terps were going to make progress over the season, but had a ceiling of 19 or so wins. With the slashing, physical play and team leader mentality that Wells brings to the court, I am thinking that we (the Terps) are in the top 5 of the ACC and a top 25 team. Maybe 22 wins and a trip to the NCAA tournament.
I got an email from Michael Weiss talking about the potential of Dez as a guard. I think that he is a forward with Jake Layman coming off the bench. Both Wells and Layman can handle the ball, although Wells has more developed skills than Jake. I liken the game of Wells to a more advanced Keith Booth.
Where it really helps Maryland is that our opponents have to defend two slashing 6-5 players. Faust and Wells on the floor together are a defensive nightmare to play against. Seth Allen, Faust and Wells with two bigs is a helluva team.
The Show
Remember to listen in to TerpTalk on Saturday morning at 8am on 1580am or over the Internet at terptalk.com. Then Bruce has his show on 1300am in Baltimore at 9 in the morning.