Low number of assists is a concern for Terps Amid the glee over Maryland’s 71-62 victory over UNC Wilmington in coach Mark Turgeon’s Terrapins debut, there were two disturbing numbers: seven assists and zero 3-pointers.
The last game in which Maryland had fewer assists was a dreadful 75-48 loss to Georgetown in the Old Spice Classic in 2008. But even then, the Terps’ basket-assist ratio of 18-to-6 was better than Sunday’s of 25-to-7.
| Up next |
| Maryland vs. No. 16 Alabama |
| When » Thursday, 5 p.m. |
| Where » |
| Coliseo de Puerto Rico, |
| San Juan |
| TV » ESPN2 |
The last time Maryland failed to hit a 3-pointer in as many attempts as they had Sunday (nine) was more than 10 years ago.
When Maryland (1-0) faces No.?16 Alabama (2-0) on Thursday in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, Turgeon will look for improved ball-sharing and outside shooting as the Terps take on last year’s NIT runner-up.
When questions about the Terps’ backcourt arise, the focus inevitably falls on Terrell Stoglin. After the sophomore came off the bench and scored 22 points against UNCW, he received high praise from Turgeon. But on Tuesday, Turgeon stopped short of saying Stoglin would be in the starting lineup.
“It’s a long time between now and Thursday,” Turgeon said.
In 33 minutes Sunday, Stoglin had one assist and three turnovers. Freshman Nick Faust, who started at point guard Sunday, had two assists and two turnovers in 30 minutes.
Stoglin spent most of his minutes at the point last year. Turgeon would rather have him play off the ball, especially after the expected return of point guard Pe’Shon Howard from a broken foot in January.
“Personally I feel more comfortable with the ball,” Stoglin said. “Whatever I can do to help us win. It’s a challenge. I’m up for it.”
Turgeon admits to Stoglin’s unique ability but needs to see more passing, defense and leadership.
“With the ball, he’s as good as anyone I’ve been around,” Turgeon said Wednesday on ESPN 980. “We don’t want to take that away from him. We want to make him a more complete player.”
In addition to demanding more defense from Stoglin, Turgeon is looking for more from all his players, especially in transition. In his college debut, UNCW freshman Adam Smith burned the Terps for 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers, many of them open looks.
“The game wouldn’t have been close if we would have had a little effort in transition,” Turgeon said.
Three games in four days will be a rigorous test for a Maryland lineup that includes just seven scholarship players. On Friday, Maryland will play Colorado or Wichita State. Turgeon coached the Shockers from 2000 to 2007.
Alabama will be a big challenge for 6-foot-9 Ashton Pankey and 6-8 James Padgett. The duo combined for 25 points and 15 rebounds and held their UNCW starting counterparts to 13 points Sunday. The Crimson Tide are led by 6-8 JaMychal Green (18 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and 6-6 Tony Mitchell (14.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg).
“It’s gonna be a test to see how good we really are,” Stoglin said.
