Bob Haynie: Turgeon & The Terps In Transition
On Tuesday night, the University of Maryland announced that guard Roddy Peters, swingman Nick Faust and center Shaquille Cleare were granted their release to transfer from the school. The three players were integral parts of various Mark Turgeon recruiting classes over the last couple of years as he has tried to bolster the talent in the men's basketball program.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out for any of the parties involved and the separation happened.
Cleare came to Maryland as a top-30 recruit from Houston. The big guy sat behind future NBA lottery pick Alex Len as a freshman and was expected to progress as a sophomore. It never happened. Being in foul trouble seemed to be the only constant for Cleare.
Faust, from Baltimore's City College, was himself a top-40 prospect who originally signed to play for Gary Williams. When the future Hall of Famer retired, Turgeon had to convince him to stay. As Faust's roll changed often during his career, he was never able to score the way he did in high school.
After missing out on the Kentucky-bound Harrison twins, Maryland was able to get Peters. An ESPN top-60 recruit, Peters exhibited an ability to get in the paint, but his decision making left a lot to be desired. Keep in mind, he was only a freshman.
All three struggled.
And all three were recruited over.
For the 2014 class, Turgeon has signed wings Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens. Both are top-100 recruits and both can score. They would have taken Faust's minutes.
In Melo Trimble, Maryland signed it's first McDonald's All-American since Mike Jones in 2003. Trimble plays the point and is expected to play immediately. With guard Seth Allen also returning, Peters would have struggled to get playing time.
As for center, Turgeon signed 7'1 Trayvon Reed out of Georgia. Reed is the rim protector that his team sorely missed this past season. On Monday, added 7-foot center Michal Cekovsky to the '14 class. One NBA executive called Cekovsky "a future pro."
The changes for Maryland just aren't with the roster. Assistant coach Scott Spinelli is expected to leave for Boston College. With Delonte Hill already gone, Turgeon will have lost two of his original assistants.
Needless to say, a lot of turnover is taking place in the Maryland men's basketball program.
Now it's time to start winning.
With two 7-footers, two high-scoring wings and a McDonald's All-American joining the returning talent, the winning better start in the 2014-15 season.
