By Andrew P. Napolitano
The president's men trash the Constitution to pursue antagonists
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
It was with much acclaim that Nick Faust arrived at Maryland, giving the Terrapins a homegrown swingman with length, range and a smooth handle — but not necessarily a floor general's vision.
Maryland coach Mark Turgeon knows youthful inconsistency is part of the package when deploying a roster dominated by underclassmen. But during the Terrapins' 72-59 win over Clemson on Saturday, he saw his team showcase an unexpected trait: stability.
As James Padgett has soldiered through his senior season, the forward's dwindling minutes have stood in contrast to his elder statesman status. Out with veteran savvy, in with youthful potential.
Maryland spread the wealth, with six players — Logan Aronhalt, Alex Len, Jake Layman, James Padgett, Seth Allen and Dez Wells — scoring in double figures. Aronhalt led the way with 13 points, while Padgett poured in 12 on 6-for-6 shooting in his second start of ACC play.
Duke is used to being on the right side of a blowout— not the losing end — and thanks to Rasheed Sulaimon, the Blue Devils got back to that familiar role.
The stream of early season cupcakes didn't leave Maryland soft and weak Saturday when the Terrapins faced Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Although opponents hadn't offered much resistance as Mark Turgeon's squad reeled off 12 consecutive wins, regular practice sessions made his team hard, strong and hungry to devour a real foe.
Charles Mitchell found himself parked on the bench more and more in early December, a few more pounds leading to a lot less playing time.
Maryland's conditioning opportunities decreased in early December, and freshman Charles Mitchell slipped a bit. He added a few pounds, grew a little more sluggish and found his playing time diminish significantly.
Mark Turgeon wanted the breakthrough to come this week. Actually, he probably wanted it a month earlier, but at this stage the sooner the better would suffice.
Mark Turgeon's thoughts drifted to Shaquille Cleare specifically and his team's depth in general as he navigated his way home from Verizon Center after Sunday's defeat of George Mason.
Mark Turgeon hadn't slept much in the two nights since his Maryland basketball team outlasted George Mason in the BB&T Classic, a game featuring more than a few turnover issues.
Last Wednesday's film session was a rough one for freshman forward Charles Mitchell. Even in an 83-74 win over Lafayette, head coach Mark Turgeon focused on everything that the Terrapins – and Mitchell in particular – did wrong.
Maryland center Shaquille Cleare checked into an exhibition game this month. Within three minutes, the burly freshman's first shot, and a dunk attempt at that, bounced astray.
Nick Faust looks around the Maryland locker room, and there isn't much familiar from his freshman season.
Shaquille Cleare tucked his 6-foot-9, 270 pound frame into a folding chair on the Comcast Center court Tuesday afternoon during Maryland's basketball media day.
"If our backcourt is playing well and our frontcourt is bringing it, I feel like we can be unstoppable," Mitchell said. "We can be a good team because if they're shooting the outside shot, they're leaving the paint open for one-on-one matchups."
"Energy is contagious," forward Charles Mitchell said of the collaborative effort. "So if one person is doing something, the whole team starts doing something."
