Run With What You Brung: A Preview of Maryland Men's Basketball in '08-'09

It seems like the good old streetball saying applies to the Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team for the 2008-2009 season. With two heralded big men, Jordan Williams and James Padgett, slated to come in for the 2009-2010 season, the Terps will have to go with what they have this year: a loaded and talented backcourt, but a thin and unproven frontcourt.

Sophomore Braxton Dupree is the only returning big man who played significant minutes last year. Dupree has worked hard in the offseason to lose weight and gain strength. A natural baller, Dupree should begin to show the results originally expected of the Baltimore star.

Beyond that, though, the Terps will need some surprises. Jerome Burney, while in great shape, hasn't shown much of a touch on the offensive end, and at this point he will probably only serve to fill some minutes for Dupree in case of foul trouble.

The other true big on the team, freshman Steve Goins, may see some time but so far looks young and at this point a bit fragile.

Beyond that, there just aren't any big bodies available for the Terps.

Do the Terps go with 6'6" senior Dave Neal or 6'7" sophomore Dino Gregory at power forward? Or do they go with a four-guard lineup? While you'll probably see Gary Williams use some of both, it may be the latter that emerges as the best strategy for this year's team.

Neal is a crafty veteran who can shoot. He's got a wide body and knows how to gain position. Having said that, he has limited vertical and will see many low post shots blocked. Gregory, while in great shape and very enthusiastic, is naturally a swing player and has yet to develop the shooting touch he should eventually have.

That leads to the upside of what the Terps have...six backcourt players that can easily cover four positions.

It's well proven that guard-centric teams can do well at the college level. Teams that come to mind are past versions of Villanova and St. Joe's. Look at what Duke did last year (and will do again this year) with basically no big men. The Terps are stocked in the backcourt.

Junior Greivis Vasquez has shown he's got what it takes to be a big time player, and this year will give him a chance to prove he's worked on his quickness, decision making, and long-range shooting.

Junior Eric Hayes worked in the offseason with Steve Blake and looks to have fully recovered from last year's ankle injury. Hayes' shooting touch is looking sweet in early scrimmages, and he'll be able to provide a lot of floor general as well as scoring work this year.

Newcomer Sean Mosley is ready to go right out of the gate. This guy is a flat-out baller with a ready to go college level body. 6'6" swingman Landon Milbourne is in great shape and is looking to improve on his consistency as well.

Two of the most improved players are sophomores Cliff Tucker and Adrian Bowie. Tucker has shown in early practices that he's going to play hard and score. He goes strong to the basket and can easily play the 3-4 spots with Milbourne. Adrian Bowie has shown a greatly improved range and is seriously quick.

You'll probably see Hayes, Mosley, Vasquez, and Bowie rotate in and out of 1, 2, and 3 (although Mosley will strictly be 2-3), with Vasquez, Milbourne, and Tucker rotating in and out of 3-4.

With the exception of Bowie, all of these guys are in the 6'3"-6'6" range, so while there will be four guards on the floor, they won't be short, but they'll have to pay heavy attention to rebounding.

Speed and quickness will be abundant, and scoring should come easily for this squad. Look for them to run...or in this case, run with what they brung!