The fact that the Maryland basketball team goes 10 deep is certainly important on a game-to-game basis, but it will also pay dividends later in the season.

The key is getting the freshmen to a position in which, when they're on the floor, there's a minimal drop-off in ability; or they bring something to the table the starter doesn't offer. It's really encouraging that already exists so early in the season. When Seth Allen spells Pe'Shon Howard, he offers speed and quickness, qualities Pe doesn't possess. Jake Layman offers length that neither Dez Wells nor Nick Faust have. Shaq Cleare and Charles Mitchell have bulk that neither Alex Len nor James Padgett offer. And the fact that there are those on this board - and elsewhere, I'm sure - who believe we would be a better team with some of the freshmen starting, is a strong indication there is virtually no drop-off in overall ability.

By the midway point of the ACC season, assuming we remain healthy, we should be fresher than most of our opponents. If no one on our team has to play anymore than 25 minutes per game, they should be considerably fresher than opposing players who average 30 minutes or more per game. And that advantage will only increase as we move into the ACC tournament and post-season play.