Freshman scores 15 points in 20-minute workout
Two others fled. But when Nick Faust remained true to his commitment to the University of Maryland after the retirement of Gary Williams, it came with the likelihood of immediate playing time.
On Saturday Faust showed why new coach Mark Turgeon might be comfortable with heavy-duty work for the 6-foot-6 freshman. Scoring 15 points in a 20-minute intra-squad scrimmage, Faust was the standout of the Terps newly-juggled backcourt after point guard Pe’Shon Howard suffered a broken foot.
Recommended Stories
In a 43-27 victory for the Red Team (starters) over the Black (reserves), Faust showed his explosiveness early with a steal and breakaway tomahawk slam. He scored inside and out, adding a pair of 3-pointers, an intermediate-range jumper, a tip-in and a transition layup, missing just one shot.
“Nick’s got a chance to be a special player for us,” Turgeon said. “It’s great for him as a freshman that he’s going to have a chance to play so many minutes. It’s just going to help his career.”
Others who played well were forward Berend Weijs (13 points), who flashed his offensive versatility, guards Terrell Stoglin (eight points) and Mychal Parker (seven points) and forwards James Padgett (seven points) and Ashton Pankey (six points).
Senior guard Sean Mosley took eight shots, most of them from the perimeter, but failed to score. Mosley showed the effects of an illness.
“I know Sean will start,” Turgeon said. “He does everything I ask.”
Other tidbits:
- Howard was on crutches and in a walking boot. Turgeon said that Howard will have an MRI on Saturday afternoon to determine the extent of his injury. Turgeon said doctors haven’t determined if he needs surgery. “As of right now, no surgery, but that could change,” Turgeon said. “My nickname was Surgeon, but I’m not a doctor.” Howard said he wouldn’t mind redshirting. “I love College Park,” Howard said. “I could be here forever. They give me 10 redshirts, I’d be fine.”
- Stoglin ran the point well, penetrating and making several feeds inside. “Terrell’s excited. He thinks he’s going to be playing 40 minutes a game,” Turgeon said. “You saw today he made a lot of great passes, made guys better. He was really unselfish today. But I’m going to need Terrell to be a little bit unselfish at times. He’s going to have to score a little bit for us. I’ve gotta revamp the offense. I had a lot of the offense set up with Terrell at the two. In the next two weeks we gotta put him in positions to score at the point.”
- Junior guard Jonathan Thomas (Tuscarora) was the most impressive of the walk-ons, scoring five points, all from the free-throw line. “We need a guard to emerge. We’re down to four guards, but none of them are emerging,” Turgeon said. “When we’re here a while our walk-ons will be more experienced and we can handle an injury. None of those guys are ready to help us right now.
- Turgeon has nothing new on the status of 7-1 freshman Alex Len. “We keep thinking it’s going to be that day, then the next day. So now we’re hoping for Monday. The good thing is they’re being diligent. As long as they get it right in the end.”
- The open scrimmage, held before Maryland’s home football game with Boston College, drew a couple hundred fans. Turgeon took a microphone afterward and thanked attendees.
- Maryland will face GW in a closed scrimmage on Sunday.
