Thursday was the first time this season we got to see the new-look Maryland Terrapins (1-1). All I can say is, it wasn’t pretty. Playing in their second game under first-year coach Mark Turgeon, the Terrapins got trounced by No. 16 Alabama (3-0) in their opening-round game in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
From the opening tip, Maryland was outclassed by Alabama in their 62-42 loss.
Junior forward James Padgett led the way for Maryland with nine points. Padgett was 3-for-4 from the foul line and also collected five rebounds. Frontcourt mate Ashton Pankey, a redshirt freshman, collected 10 boards, but only scored four points for the Terps. Those two players provided most of the presence on the court for Maryland.
What was evident, at least to me, was the loss of Pe’Shon Howard, who is out with a broken foot. Howard would be running the offense from the point guard position, but that responsibility fell to freshman Nick Faust.
For the most part, Faust was alright breaking Alabama’s press, but he took a few quick shots and only scored two points. Faust also ended the game with just three assists.
Senior guard Sean Mosley played good defense and looked confident shooting the ball, but he went 1-for-8 from the field and 1-for-2 from the foul line. He ended the game with four points.
What I saw from this game was Maryland was definitely undermanned. They played with only seven scholarship players which left the players logging heavy minutes against a physical Alabama. I also think Maryland’s free throw shooting needs to improve, much like last season.
They will play Friday night in the second game of their preseason tournament.
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