Surprise: Torian Graham No Longer Considering Maryland
by Ben Broman on Nov 10, 2011 11:25 AM EST
in Basketball Recruiting
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Yesterday was signing day, which marked a full-fledged return to basketball recruiting season. In fact, I speculated yesterday that Torian Graham is still the big fish out there for Maryland's staff. So here is a perfect example of why you shouldn't take what I say as gold:
@DaveTelep
Dave Telep Receiving information that Torian Graham is no longer considering the Maryland Terrapins.
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In other words: save us, Sam Cassell, Jr. (God, do I miss Lance Stephenson.)
Recruiting is a fickle process, but I have to say that this one does smell a bit fishy. Maryland has been more or less the only name for Graham ever since he decommitted from N.C. State a few months ago, and now it just falls apart? Hmm. You have to wonder about that one a little bit, especially with the rumors that he might have trouble qualifying.
Regardless of the "why" of the situation, we're still left ... well, here. "Here" being needing to find two more commitments despite having just about everyone fallen off the board. Amile Jefferson isn't listing Maryland anymore. Robert Carter is, by all accounts, about to commit to Georgia Tech. Mitch McGary, Robert Upshaw, Christian Sanders, Jerami Grant, and even Daniel Dingle are all long gone.
In terms of established names, that leaves Cassell Jr. (who visited Maryland for Madness), perhaps Charles Mitchell, and ... well, that's about it. Andrew White hasn't listed Maryland officially in awhile but the Terrapins have been in contact there in the past.
Past that, there's really not too many other options. Perhaps the staff will try to involve themselves in a few newer names, guys like Ricardo Gathers, or work to re-establish themselves with White. A few other guys that have sprung to mind: Wanaah Bail, a 6-8 pogo stick of a combo forward, who took the Shaquille Cleare route of Bahamas-to-Houston and just started to list Maryland interest in September; Zena Edosomwan, a fast-rising PF who has a Maryland offer; and of course Jordan Goodman, who just decommitted from Texas Tech.
Of course, there's always that surprise that pops up late in the recruiting cycle, whether it's a decommitment, a reclassification, or a heretofore unknown player rising up the charts. Just have to keep an eye out.
Hopefully we'll have some good news later in the day. The fanbase could definitely use it.
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Well...
I am actually not too worried about it. Guard isn’t a critical need, and I am a proponent of 3 member recruiting classes for stabilities sake.
We’ll see how it goes, but I can deal with a little less depth this and next year, for the sake of long term stability.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 11:32 AM EST reply actions
Saw this on IMS last night
I believe they made it out to sound as if it was our decision to stop pursuing Torian, not his. Although I could have misunderstood. Like Ben said, my guess is he’s going to have a hard time qualifying.
Or maybe Turgeon got a good word from another guard (Cassell?). Cassell did have a tweet this past weekend that made it sound as if he knows which school he’s going to. I appologize for not quoting the tweet exactly, but he said something along the lines of, “I can’t wait until I commit to this school,” or something of that nature.
by FeartheTurtle2002 on Nov 10, 2011 11:34 AM EST reply actions
I can't imagine a positive word from Cassell...
is what made us back off of a top 40 guard. We might wind up taking Cassell, but that is not what soured us on a better prospect. Grades? Maybe. Other reasons? Possibly. But you don’t turn down 4 star recruits, because 2 star recruits want to come to your school.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
No dah
But maybe you under estimate Cassell ? More important here, may be the connection to the AAU program, long term.
That's true
But it could be possible that Turgeon thought that Graham with academic issues < Cassell without along with a tie to Batlimore and it’s favorite son.
Or it could be that Turgeon is favoring the true ponit guard over the guard who’s first, second, and third options are to shoot. Now I’ve never seen Cassell play so he could be the same way, but I have read that Graham is a big time scorer but little else. Given Turgeon’s frustrations with Stoglin at the point so far this season, it would make sense to me regardless of who may have more stars.
by FeartheTurtle2002 on Nov 10, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
The staff is grooming Allen
As a point guard in high school now. Cassell last year was playing both guard spots last year when i watched him. Cassell needs work but has some physical size and is getting better.
Any possibility
…that this is DH trying to back off of DCA for the moment in the thoughts that it may look bad?
If he wants to come
You take him with open arms. First of all the kid is pretty good, second keep that B-more pipeline open. Some big time talent on its way in that system of Mr. Carringtons. Bub needs to be a friend of the program. Bino is the man, love that guy.
Torian Graham isn't from B-more...
what are you talking about?
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Never been high on Cassell...
Of course, what do I know. I just read these boards, and trust what I’m told by the collective. LOL
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
lol, understood
I am local and try to get to many games in the area as often as possible. Then read what the rest of us read.
I'd love Cassell Jr.
He is a good project and apparently made big strides this summer. The other reason you want Cassell Jr though is the B-More connection. He plays with Morgan from 2014 so if that gives us an in with him then I am ok with it. Cassell Jr has some pretty high upside as well.
would definitely love to land Cassell
He has a stroke that you can’t teach…silky smooth. He’s going to be way better than his ranking.
What I don't get...
Is why every scouting service has him as a 2 star. Why do we want him, but nobody thinks he’s any good?
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
The Bmore connection
Plus he has the chance and ability to make himself into a “self-made” player.
by MurlandTerps on Nov 10, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
scouts are are often wrong about players...
How many guys are highly rated that don’t pan out? Then an equal amount of guys do break out that are underrated. There are thousands of examples. I saw Gary Neal play throughout his high school career and knew he could start in the ACC. But once Billy Hahn left Maryland stopped recruiting him. Now the guy is in the NBA. Guys like Danny Miller and Travis Garrison were All-Americans in HS…they did fine in college but many, many players rated lower were better. As long as Turgeon and his staff wants a player then that’s fine with me.
From his Aberdeen days?
I remember trying to guard Neal in pre-9th grade summer league. Wasn’t pretty.
yes, from his Aberdeen days...
Billy Hahn scouted him a few times (at Aberdeen) and I know was recruiting Neal his junior year (prior to transferring to Calvert Hall). When the Terps signed Chris McCray and Hahn left Maryland I never heard anything more about Maryland’s interest.
NCSU cut ties with Graham for academic reasons
I made a comment on here when he decommitted from NCSU….NCSU cut that commitment rather than Graham wanting to go to another program. This information came from Moxley (former UMD assistant) so if NCSU’s administration wouldn’t take him, there was never a shot that he was coming to UMD. Perhaps Turge was holding out for phenomenal first quarter grades or a huge bump in SAT scores. Either way, I have heard all along that his only option is a 2-year school even though he is holding out hope that a 4-year IHE will accept him.
Sad
Its amazing that a kid can not qualify for college. Really this is just pathetic.
by El Goodd Terps13 on Nov 10, 2011 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Everything is in place...
in our society for kids to make it to college. Of course each person has their own lives, and the complications that come, and some do have adversity.
If he wants to go to college, and if he has even average intellegence, he will go to college. He just needs to make the right choices in life. As we all do.
* Maryland basketball has been a sleeping Giant. The Giant is waking up.
** It goes without saying, that if Maryland basketball was a sleeping Giant, whoever was at the helm before, put it to sleep.
by CharlesDriesell on Nov 10, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, indeed, dj, WVU. Or just call Cadillac Cal!
by Snappin Terp on Nov 10, 2011 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
ben
Either both your recruit links in the article go to the same page or my phone is whack.
by rquidas on Nov 10, 2011 12:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions
THIS
Better to hold out for next year than take talent that won’t be able to compete at an ACC level. Wasn’t that supposedly why Turge wasn’t pressed about securing Bruenig/Gibbs?
We should be shooting for 4-5* guys- just need some patience. Remember the quote from Telep a few days ago: the second class is a better indication of the state of the administration anyway.
by Nihonterp on Nov 11, 2011 12:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Juco
I would like to go Juco big and guard at this point. Grab the best player at both positions and let them have an immediate impact.
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 12:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The problem w/ going the JUCO route
is that in 2014, we’d lose Pe’Shon, Parker, Stogs and two JUCOs and replace them with freshmen (assuming we can get 3 guards, a SF and a PF. If we stand pat, we only lose 3 in ’14. By going the JUCO route, the 2014-2015 season could be one of those “down” years that the elite programs are able to avoid.
Nope
You need guards and you take a B-more kid who isnt a bad player. Look at the Pe situtation right now, would be nice to have uh, say a Sterling Gibbs or someone like him right now. Always need insurance for sure.
Yup
It reminds me of Will/Antonio Barton. The reason we didn’t take the Barton Bros. wasn’t because we didn’t want Antonio, it was because we were concerned about grades. But I remember a real discussion about whether Antonio was good enough. Which, of course, is ridiculous.
If I have the scholarship, I’m probably using it.
I would not be surprised
If Cassell Jr is one of the kids Turgeon said they are waiting on with the academics. The kid is good enough and will get better, take him if we can get it solved. Turgeon and Carrington will work together on this type issue, and trust me when I tell you this will help us big time in the long run. Plus you know what, its freaking just great for the kids also.
Big class won't come until next year or the year after.
This class is decent but we have to be honest, Gary would have brought in this level this year in my opinion. BUT before Chucky goes ape on me, these guys have put in a lot more effort than GW ever would have and are laying a foundation to land big class after big class. I have full faith in Turge and his crew right now, I think they need a couple of years before we get on him about recruiting.
We're spoiled
I think, honestly, our expectations were absolutely insanely high for this recruiting class. The best class Gary had in the last 4 years was #21 on ESPN and that was last year’s 6-man class, in which he got exactly 2 top 100 players.
Turgeon landed two top-50 guys with only 3 players. his class is ranked #17. No question this is our best class in years, which is pretty amazing for a new coach and a team that missed the NIT last year.
This cannot be overlooked. We should be jumping for joy about this class.
My boy
Born Ready
RIP Lennie Bias
Hold my Vick
The rebirth of Maryland Basketball. GO TERPS
Turgeon General, Fear the Turgeon, in Turgeon we trust.
Danny O'brien=future #1 overall pick
Lesean is the "Real Slim Shady"
by dterpfan on Nov 10, 2011 1:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm happy with this class for Turgeon's first year
He’s put down the foundation for future recruiting success. Ok, maybe he missed out on 5* players but it’s nice to even be considered by them again. I’m looking forward to the 2013 and 2014 classes to see what this staff will bring in.
Forget about Goodman while we are at it..
He won’t qualify academically, and if the staff didn’t want to mess around with a character like Torian, then there is no way in hell they will mess around with a less talented Goodman.
Luke Cothron
GO GET HIM. Verballed to NC State then signed with Auburn. I remember him showing MD some interest. He didnt end up going to Auburn and is in a JUCO right now. 6’8 210 legit PF.
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 2:34 PM EST reply actions
here is more
http://athletics.csi.edu/roster.aspx?rp_id=420&path=mbball
I forgot he was going to go to UMASS. He had some issues with his grades as I recall. Kansas is now possibly after him for next year. I take him in a heart beat. He is better than any PF we were recruiting not named McGary & Carter. Jefferson is a SF, doesnt count.
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Now I have my hopes up. Havent even heard him mentioned in connection with MD but he would address all of our issues. Add him and we can move on to 2013
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
I found that the other day Charlotte
And for some reason I thought we had a problem with this kid?? I always take a look at the JUCO situation, never much info on it, plus no time for me to dig deep. Charlotte, who else is out there in JUCO world, cause if we get a PF he is coming from that form, or on a plane from the Ukraine.
If anyone has a rivals account we can get their top 150
jucojunction. It lists the top 150 juco prospects for 2012.
Perfect example of how JUCO players change a program is St. Johns. They land a starting SG and PF/C for their team this year. Think his name is Lindsey and God’s Gift.
I wouldnt go too far down that top 150 list. Lets be honest, the 150th Juco player is probably not going to do much in the ACC. However, if we were to go out and grab a guy like Cothron, who I would imagine they have ranked top 15/20 JUCO, I GUARANTEE that next year we would finish top 3 in the ACC, assuming no players leave. Cothron would instantly come in and start for us. Len, Cothron, Faust, Stoglin, Howard. Shaq off the bench, which would be great because there would be less pressure on him.
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
I would think
Cothron has been in touch with the staff. Could he be one of the academic situations that is being dealt with? This staff, is so much fun, even if all we chat about is speculation on what they may be doing, beats the hell out of the last several years around here. Bring him in or someone like that grab a guard and close it down for 12….
It isnt that big of a deal, no matter what we will be improving
If this staff wants 5 they will get it somehow, we already have Allen(prob. a top 100 player in the end) Shaq and Layman. I havent read any comment but of ANYONE is upset about our recruiting class than they should go hide in a room until next year when we have the twins and Co.
Why does everyone assume
Allen will be top 100 at any point? Because his coach and our staff are excited about him? He’s not listed on Rivals 150, so I don’t think he’s knocking on the ESPN top 100 door.
Did you read the evals on him by Telep
Injured for all of the major camps. Didnt get to be evaluated at NBPA top 100. The fact that we was invited to that camp means that he is top 100 talent. You dont get invited to that camp otherwise. He will be top 100
by Charlotte NC Terp on Nov 10, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
he went from unkown to an 89 scout grade real quickly
by Maryland1206 on Nov 10, 2011 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
I understand that
and maybe he does move into the 150, but there is this sorta assumption here that ever since he verballed to us that he was better than his ranking and was sure to move up. Maybe he will be in the final rankings, but its not a sure thing at all. It doesn’t even matter, honestly. I just don’t understand how people act like “Allen will be top 100 at the end of the day” is a fact.
The rankings are what they are:
Opinions. In Turge’s opinion, Allen is a guy who possess intangibles that make him an asset to the UMD program. He’s obviously held that opinion for a while, since he was recruting him at TA&M. Where Seth is ultimately ranked is immaterial, assuming Turge’s assessment is correct.
The players who blow up during their junior of senior years in high school are ranked highest. The players who blow up during their freshman or sophomore years in college can be equally valuable to a college program.
Did not want to deal with this kid
I think he is a load and right now, we have no one to deal with him.
It's not all bad
At least we don’t root for Penn State!
by BeverlyHillsTerp on Nov 10, 2011 10:34 PM EST reply actions
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