SB Nation DC: All Posts by JP Finlay

Why Football Will Go On

2012-05-11T17:21:17Z

After the horrific suicide of Junior Seau, and on the heels of suspensions for New Orleans Saints players and coaches for injury bounties, and in the wake of lawsuits filed against the league by former Redskins heroes Art Monk and Mark Rypien, a debate rages on the future of professional football. Let's make one thing abundantly clear: Football will be fine.

Seau's suicide is very sad. By many accounts, he was a good man and he was certainly a hell of a football player. Statistics also show an increased suicide rate among former NFL players when compared to normal people in the workaday world. The comparison should end there.

Professional football players undoubtedly absorb a number of hits to the head, and preliminary data may link those head shots to depression, dementia, or other ailments inflicted upon the brain. If the data proves true, that is awful. But it still won't kill football.

It is important to remember that the vast majority of people who play football end up with no long-term physical impediments. For every Earl Campbell, there are 1,000 high school football jocks that look back at their time on the gridiron as the best days of their lives. Don't forget that.

Concussions and head trauma are nothing to take lightly. But we also need to consider what it means for NFL players, accustomed to stardom and all of the benefits that brings, to retire.

What happens for players when life goes from private jets, luxury hotels and adoring fans to flying coach, staying at a Marriott and little embrace from an uninterested public?

Riki Ellison played linebacker at USC and later in the NFL, just like Seau. In a heart-wrenching letter to the Los Angeles Times, he addressed as best he could what may have driven Seau to suicide. Concussions were clearly a part of it, he writes, but fading celebrity may have made an impact too.

"As I see it, his loss is the result of sustained concussions to the brain together with the inability to control depression that can easily follow after losing the stardom that comes with the achievement of extraordinary accomplishment and the kind of adrenaline one gets when competing at world-class levels," Ellison wrote.

The NFL needs to do more for retired players. That is certain. The NFL Players Association should do the same. But no matter what happens, players will still play, and fans will still watch.

Certainly, a growing segment of the population - particularly college-educated, two-parent households with young children - will make a grand gesture of forbidding their sons to play football. Like most grand gestures, this will have little impact.

News flash: Those kids don't grow up to play football anyway.

A quick look across the NFL landscape reveals players from inner-cities, rural areas, small towns and everywhere in between.

It also reveals, in some cases, children from poor backgrounds who see football as a way to achieve for their family and kids from football-playing families with such a love for the game that little could stop them from strapping on a helmet and shoulder pads.

Will the game change? Yes. Do violent hits targeting the head need to be cut out of football? Yes. Should equipment manufacturers tweak helmets so they can no longer be used as a weapon? Absolutely.

But let us dismiss the naysayers who predict football's demise.

Risks are inherent in any sport, some more than others. In Europe, a similar crowd questioned the effect of heading the ball in soccer, without any equipment shielding the head from contact. The same discussion goes on in the U.S. You know what? People are going to keep playing soccer too.

Players, coaches, and certainly the folks making money in the NFL league offices need to address head trauma in football, and they need to make changes. But within the confines of the game.

Football is a beloved institution in this country. It's not going anywhere. And if it does, it will be because of ticket prices, ugly fan behavior and a growing disparity within the labor force that will resent the riches of pro athletes.

The white noise suggesting the extinction of football comes from a crowd of apologists, a group that because of the sad stories of a few, wants to eliminate the fun, the tradition, the institution, for many.

If a have a son, and he wants to play, I will encourage him to play football.

What Happens Next For Maryland After Terrell Stoglin's Departure?

2012-04-30T16:08:52Z

What the hell just happened? A few weeks ago, the Terps were a chic Top 20 pick for next year with expectations of competing for the 2013 ACC title. Now, Terrell Stoglin goes pro after being suspended for the year. How did we get here, and what does it mean?

I know Stoglin and coach Mark Turgeon butted heads, to put it mildly, throughout much of last year. In meeting and interviewing Stoglin he was cocky, but nice. A bit of a contradiction even, because he would say the right things about wanting the best for the team, but then have a sly smile when questions about his passing and assist totals would come up. We all saw the attitude on full display in the Duke loss, and who knows what else happened behind closed doors?

There will be drug questions. The most prevalent rumor I've heard is a third failed drug test. I hate to even wade in this water, as the kid is only 20 years old. People make mistakes, and whatever it is, I hope for the best for Terrell.

Regardless of what happened, it's time to turn the page. Stoglin will never play another minute for the Terps, and despite his proclivity for bad shots and missed passes, he was a standout scorer in a way few Maryland sophomores have ever been. The Terps will miss those points.

But let's not write this team off just yet. With Stoglin gone, the Terps will drop off the Preseason Top 25 radar. Stoglin and departed senior Sean Mosley accounted for almost 50 percent of the Maryland offense last year. You can't just make that up overnight.

Before Terp fans get too upset, remember there is still a lot to like in College Park. Nick Faust seemed to be coming into his own late last year, and he could be an All-ACC caliber player as a sophomore. Word is Alex Len has been in the weight room every day since the ACC tournament, and adding muscle to his 7-foot frame will make him a force.

Much has been made of a talented freshmen class headed to Maryland, full of size and shooters. Previously, there were concerns about enough minutes and shots to go around in the back court with Stoglin and incoming combo-guards-with-similar-game Seth Allen and Sam Cassell Jr. With Stoglin out of the picture, that is no longer a concern.

The loss of Stoglin undoubtedly hurts, and don't let anyone say it doesn't. The kid had serious talent, and shot judgment always improves with maturity. Stoglin's maturity, however, is no longer a concern for Maryland.

In a little over a year, Mark Turgeon has drastically overturned the Terp roster. Despite losing Stoglin, there has been a major infusion of talent up and down the roster. Now Turgeon can put the team he wants on the court. The question remains if that team can win.

I say they can. While the Terps may lack preseason hype, the talent will be there to make a run at 20 wins and an NCAA Tournament bid. Even without Stoglin, I imagine Turgeon expects the same.

A D.C. Fan's Guide To Rooting At The Final Four

2012-03-30T14:15:09Z

With the Final Four scheduled to tip-off Saturday night, D.C. fans need to pick a squad to root for. No matter what local team you like, be it Georgetown, Maryland, Mason or the other guys, this breakdown should give you a few reasons to root for a team. More importantly, we will provide plenty of reasons to root against a team.

Some of the reasons are obvious; many of these coaches and schools are slimy. Others are a bit more subtle and could impact potential recruitment or conference realignment.

Kentucky Wildcats: This Kentucky team is beyond stacked. Multiple players on the team are projected to be NBA lottery picks, including consensus No. 1 pick Anthony Davis. Many draftniks link Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as a potential Wizard too. If you're only going to root for talent, Kentucky is your squad. They have been playing on a different plane than any other team in this tournament.

But give a hater a minute, and you can find plenty of flaws.

It pretty much begins and ends with head coach John Calipari. The dude is sleazy. In his last two college coaching jobs at UMass and Memphis, Calipari's teams have been forced to vacate wins and Final Four banners because of major recruiting violations and academic impropriety. Scandal followed him to Kentucky too, where mega-recruit DeMarcus Cousins, currently playing in the NBA, faced allegations of SAT fraud.

For many, Calipari is emblematic of everything that is wrong with college basketball. He has turned the University of Kentucky into an assembly line of NBA players who play college hoops for one year before their departure. But, until the NCAA says otherwise, Calipari has been clean in Lexington. And, man, has he been good.

The Wildcats are favorites to win the national title, and played in last year's Final Four as well. If you want to root for Kentucky, don't worry. I present the perfect reason why any D.C. sports fan should cheer for the Wildcats: Mr. Rod Strickland.

Strickland played for the Bullets and Wizards for five years in the late 1990s up until 2001 and today he serves as an assistant coach for Kentucky. Strickland was a fan favorite, and a local legend for his affinity to eat hot dogs at halftime of games. If one person could ever get me to root for a John Calipari team, it might be Strickland.

Two more reasons for the local crowd to root for Kentucky. Earlier this month, NBA insider David Aldridge predicted that following a Kentucky national crown, Calipari would look to re-join the NBA ranks. One possible destination could be the Wizards, where Calipari would be reunited with former point guard John Wall and possibly a Kentucky player from this year's draft. Certainly Wall playing with his college coach is an intriguing possibility, as the Wizards need any boost they can get.

The last reason to root for Kentucky is strictly for the Maryland fans. Maryland coach Mark Turgeon has a strong relationship with two Texas high school stars Andrew and Aaron Harrison. The Harrison boys are strongly considering the University of Maryland to play what will likely be one year of college. The other school at the top of the list; Kentucky. If Calipari leaves the school for a pro job, odds are the Harrisons arrive in College Park.

Kentucky might win the national title. Love them or hate them, you've got your reasons.

Louisville Cardinals: Kentucky will face Louisville in the Final Four, a rematch of an intense in-state rivalry that will have the Bluegrass State reeling regardless who wins. Louisville is a scrappy underdog that very few experts predicted to reach this level of the tournament. In fact, many brackets had Louisville losing in the first round to Davidson.

What does it mean for D.C. fans? Not much. Best I can tell, the Cardinals have no players with ties to the DMV and a coach who elicits mixed emotions. Louisville coach Rick Pitino is considered one of the best coaches in college basketball, and he has a championship ring to prove it. That his championship came when he coached at Kentucky only adds intrigue to the story.

At one point, the story goes that Pitino and Calipari were friends. Some say Pitino even advocated for Calipari to get the head jobs at UMass and with the New Jersey Nets. But now, today, the two are not friends, and possibly enemies. That they coach at rival schools probably helps fuel the fire.

Pitino also came under fire for personal behavior, including an incident of infidelity that later led to an FBI investigation. I'm not here to judge that, but if you want to, go for it. Pitino's on-court demeanor has always been a little too slick for me, but that is not a sticking point for everyone. Vegas has Louisville as a big underdog, Kentucky is favored by 8.5 points. If you want to root for the underdog, Louisville is your team.

For the Georgetown fans, Louisville also presents a chance to root on the Big East conference. The Hoyas beat Louisville in December on the Cardinals home court, and Louisville's success lets Hoya fans play the "We beat them, and they made the Final Four, so we could have made the Final Four" card. But in the age of constant conference realignment, too much success can be a dangerous thing.

Considering Louisville has strong fan support, new, large stadiums and accomplished basketball and football, Big East fans must worry that Louisville may find greener pastures. Would the realigned Big 12 want a Louisville team that could make a relative geographic rival with new member West Virginia? With a wounded Big East, all members need to protect their necks.

I like Louisville, and I hope they give Kentucky a good run. But if you desperately need a reason to root against them, I've got one. The basketball team plays its home games in something called the Yum Center, named after Yum Brands. Yum Center? No thanks.

Kansas Jayhawks: Many Kansas teams in the past have been easy to root against. They usually have gobs of talent and a fan-base that gets awfully whiny with early NCAA departures. This year might be different.

Kansas is led by All-American Thomas Robinson, a D.C native who has overcome tragic family circumstances and a hard upbringing to find immense success as a Jayhawk. Robinson works hard on the court and lets his emotions show, a kid that is easy to root for on a team that usually isn't.

The Washington Post chronicled Robinson's struggles and his ascent.

"Basketball didn't always look so clear for me and when it didn't look clear for me I was just a regular kid in D.C.," Robinson said.

Considering Robinson's path to stardom, humble attitude, and his hometown, Kansas is almost easy to root for this year. Almost.

But since we must provide both sides, let me just remind you that the polish on Kansas coach Bill Self never seems to dull. Many say Self could be a politician or a salesman, and while it may be true, I am not sure those are compliments. In a college basketball world filled with poseurs who claim to have players best interest at heart, Self seems to be selling counterfeit goods.

Ohio State Buckeyes: The arrogance usually on display at Ohio State would make pro wrestlers like The Rock and Mr. Perfect blush. To Buckeye fans, the Ohio State University has never done anything wrong, will never do anything wrong, and anyone suggesting that OSU did something wrong is most likely a Michigan fan.

When it comes to a school like Ohio State, we don't really need reasons to hate them. We can just hate them. But since you've read this far, I will provide a few. Maurice Clarrett. Terrell Pryor. Jim Tressel. Andy Katzenmoyer. David Boston. And many, many more.

The problem here is that all of my beef with Ohio State comes from the football team. I find this year's basketball Buckeyes a fun team to watch, with two great players in Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger. I find OSU coach Thad Matta the most genuine of the Final Four bunch, not saying much considering his company, but still it counts for something.

With the likability of this Buckeye team, I could consider rooting for Ohio State. Knowing that former Maryland assistant coach Dave Dickerson is now an assistant for the Buckeyes might just be enough to push me over the edge. Go Bucks? Don't count on it, but considering the alternatives, who knows.

Maybe I'll just wait 'til next year.

Maryland's Mark Turgeon Interviewed For the Kansas Job

2012-03-16T18:21:16Z

Despite a 2011-2012 campaign that ended with no postseason invitation, Maryland fans overwhelmingly support first-year coach Mark Turgeon. In his first year as coach of the Terrapins, Turgeon showed he has the fiery personality, coaching acumen and leadership qualities necessary to replace a legend like Gary Williams.

But it looks like Kansas saw those same qualities in Turgeon long ago. A footnote in this Grantland article about Kansas basketball reveals that Turgeon interviewed for the Jayhawks job in 2003, vying to replace a different, more famous Williams -- Roy Williams.

Turgeon's love for Kansas is a known fact. It's his alma mater and his home state. But what it means for the Terps is the great unknown. More after the jump.

Full text of the Grantland footnote:

According to a 2003 article by ESPN's Andy Katz, other coaches in the running included Tom Crean, Mike Brey, Mark Few, and Mark Turgeon.

The immediate takeaway that Turgeon interviewed for the Kansas job is that Turgeon has the it factor. Remember, in 2003 Turgeon was still coaching at Wichita State, not at a power conference team like Self (Illinois), Crean (Marquette), or Brey (Notre Dame).

Many have said that Turgeon is a rising star among college basketball coaches. It appears Kansas saw that as early as nine years ago.

Terp fans must deal with the reality, however distant, that it would likely be very hard for Turgeon to say no to Kansas if they ever come calling again. Even if Turgeon completes his vision of returning Maryland to basketball power status, the allure of alma mater may be too much.

Just ask Kansas. In 2003, Roy Williams left the Jayhawks to return to North Carolina and coach his alma mater. That seismic coaching change led to Turgeon's interview, and the eventual hiring of Kansas' current head coach Bill Self.

Self's tenure at Kansas seems quite secure. He's already brought a national title to Lawrence and turned down a very lucrative offer from his alma mater, Oklahoma State. Chances are Self will not leave Kansas anytime soon, but strange things happen.

For Terp fans, losing their coach does not seem like a real worry. For now.

Sean Mosley Never Became An All-American, But Still Became A Special Player For Maryland

2012-03-06T16:26:26Z

COLLEGE PARK, MD.--Barring unique circumstances, Sean Mosley has played his final home game for the Maryland Terrapins. On Senior Day Sunday, the crowd cheered wildly for Mosley and the Terps to win, but the effort came up just short for both the player and the team.

In many ways, it's a fitting parallel for Mosley's Maryland career. Mosley always played hard, played tough, kept his composure and made smart plays. But Mosley never developed into a game-changer, somebody the opposing coach lost sleep over, despite all his solid and heady play over the years.

Coming to Maryland as a heralded recruit from Baltimore in 2008, fans never knew what to expect from Mosley. He offered so many great traits; leadership, vision, and a diligent work ethic. A look back at his Scout.com recruit profile actually shows a pretty accurate description of the player Mosley would become in four years at Maryland, spending most of that time as a starter.

"He's got a mature game and scores in a variety of ways," the profile said. "Won't 'wow' you in any aspect but will be a consistent offensive force, dives on the floor for loose balls and is always one of the best players on the court."

Consistency is definitely a strong point for the senior captain, though his development never made him a true offensive force. Mosley entered the game scoring more than 10 points per game and hauling in just under five rebounds per game. In his last game at the Comcast Center, Mosley stepped up, scored 17 points, and brought down 10 rebounds.

"Sean was great and has been great all year. He hasn't shot the ball great all year; but he has been great," first-year Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said.

"I can't imagine where I would be without him coaching this young team," the coach added. "He has been a rock."

Perhaps the most important aspect of Mosley's game is one that does not show up in box scores: his personality. Mosley plays hard, every game, every minute, hustling on defense, diving for loose balls, and stays positive and encouraging with teammates. Throughout his career, Mosley has guarded forwards with more size. Other times he has matched up with guards with quicker moves. Regardless of his assignment, Mosley never complained.

Asked to describe his time at Maryland, Mosley summed it up with one word.

"Great. It was great. I couldn't put it any more clearer than that," he said.

As a Baltimore native, Mosley said he loved being able to play in front of friends and family. It also meant a lot to get to play for three years under legendary head coach Gary Williams, as well as help Turgeon begin his transition to the next phase of Maryland basketball.

As the clock ticked towards the end of overtime, Turgeon removed his seniors from the game so the home crowd could salute Mosley. The applause that followed came loudly, as nearly every person in Comcast Center stood and cheered. Maryland fans showed their appreciation for all the effort Mosley put in, every day, for four years.

"I felt really blessed, to be honest," Mosley said of the ovation. "I never thought in a million years I'd have the whole Comcast standing up cheering for me."

Jason Clark, Henry Sims Earn Big East 2012 All-Conference Honors, Otto Porter Snubbed

2012-03-04T20:21:26Z

After Georgetown finished the regular season 22-7 with a 12-6 conference record, the Big East named senior guard Jason Clark first team all conference. Fellow senior Henry Sims made third team All-Big East and junior forward Hollis Thompson made honorable mention.

The honors for the Hoya players were well deserved, though the surprise exclusion of freshmen forward Otto Porter from the conference's All-Rookie team made some Georgetown fans upset. Porter played big minutes for the No. 12 ranked Hoyas. More after the jump.

Somehow Big East coaches voted for the conference's All-Rookie team and forgot about Porter, Georgetown's best rebounder. Little was expected of the 2011-2012 Hoya team, but with help from the grit and presence of Porter, Georgetown has serious claims towards a Final Four run.

Porter's numbers don't jump out, he averages nine points and almost seven rebounds a game, but in big games the freshman comes to play. In an overtime loss to No. 2 ranked Syracuse Porter scored 14 points and hauled in 13 rebounds.

Casual Hoya goes more in-depth, but the players selected over Porter for the rookie honors are surprising. Porter deserved to be included.

Miami Vs. Maryland: James Padgett Turns The Tide Against Hurricanes

2012-02-22T14:58:57Z

COLLEGE PARK, MD.--When his school really needed something to cheer for, junior forward James Padgett delivered for the University of Maryland.

Slammed by critics for days on end amid controversies in the football program and scheduling conflicts between Maryland and Georgetown, Maryland athletics needed a win. Badly. Padgett went out and got it.

The defining play of Maryland's 75-70 win over Miami was a microcosm of Padgett's season. Using his hustle, positioning and perseverance, Padgett grabbed an offensive rebound off an Ashton Pankey miss with under a minute to play and his team down 66-64. It was a play Padgett has made all season.

Offensive rebounding often comes down to grit and angles, and Padgett worked himself into the right spot. When he elevated and went back up for the putback, the shot dropped and the game was tied. The Comcast Center crowd was hysterical.

"We feel it, we feel it shaking on the floor," sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin said of the frenzied crowd after Padgett tied the game. One task remained for Padgett though: stepping to the free throw line and giving Maryland the lead.

Maryland had not led in a tight game against Miami in almost 12 minutes, and Padgett's free throw would give the cardiac Terps the chance for the lead.

"This is a confidence builder for our team," senior forward Sean Mosley said. "Padge has been coming along slowly and surely. He stepped up and got that and-one for us and made that free throw. It was just a huge momentum change for us."

In his first two years at Maryland, Padgett was an unreliable player and a poor free throw shooter. Even earlier this year, Padgett was a questionable shooter from the charity stripe. But in the biggest spot of the season, he stepped to the line, made the shot, and gave the Terps what Coach Mark Turgeon called Maryland's biggest win of the year.

Scoring 16 points, Padgett provided a secondary scoring punch to the leading scorer Stoglin. Padgett also chipped in with six rebounds, none more important than the one off the Pankey miss.

"Padgett played great tonight. That three point play was probably the reason we won," Stoglin said.

Winning can cure everything. Speaking to the media after the win, Turgeon called it a "hugger." A "hugger" is the kind of game where all the players and coaches can hug one another after the game to celebrate a big win against a good opponent, he explained.

"It's just a great win for us," Turgeon said. "I've been all over my post guys. I thought James played with great toughness and he got it going early."

Maryland has struggled at times this year, perhaps none more so than in last Saturday's 27-point loss to Virginia. But to respond with a win over an opponent with real NCAA tournament aspirations shows that the team plays hard.

"They got the offensive rebound and biggest basket of the game; they scored and got fouled when we were up by two," Miami Coach Jim Larranaga said after the game.

No one will ever confuse Padgett's offensive game with Kevin McHale's. His footwork in the post often seems hyper, too much movement in too little space. But it works, and it works because Padgett stays after it.

"James is not a good foul shooter, and he made himself a really good foul shooter," Turgeon said. "[That's] because he works at it every single day."

Free throw shooting really comes down to practice. For Padgett, who shot 80 percent from the line against Miami, the numbers show his hard work. On his days off, Padgett said he tries to shoot 200 free throws, sometimes as many as 300.

"It was big for me," Padgett said. "I was really focused on making the free throw. From the past, I haven't been making as many good free throws."

In addition to his free throws, Padgett continues to develop his post game, focused on his off hand shooting. Few people think back to Padgett's recruitment, but at the time many considered the Brooklyn big man part of a package deal. Padgett played his high school ball with Lance Stephenson, and before the whirlwinds of recruiting got too strong, Stephenson was a prime Maryland target.

Stephenson lasted one year in college. Though excelling now in his junior year, Padgett figures to be a four year player. His game is not flashy, but he does the grunt work that wins games. Asked after the game what he thought of all the accolades his old-fashioned three-point play received, Padgett returned to the humble player that shoots 200 free throws on his days off.

"We all won the game together. It's good to get compliments, everyone likes compliments, but I think it was more of a team win," Padgett said. "It's a great feeling. We felt liked we owed them one."

For full coverage of the Terrapins before, during and after tonight's game, keep it tuned toTestudo Times. For more coverage on the Miami Hurricanes, head on over to The 7th Floor. For all things college basketball, hop on over to the college basketball hub page atSB Nation NCAAB for complete coverage of all the games across the nation tonight and every night.

Maryland's Terrell Stoglin Can Score, But Terps Need More To Be A Winner

2012-02-17T15:24:17Z

COLLEGE PARK, MD.--The cameras caught him. It was a brief moment of weakness, but the national television cameras caught Terrell Stoglin sulking on the bench as his Maryland Terrapin teammates limped to a 73-55 defeat against the Duke Blue Devils.

Stoglin came into the Duke game averaging more than 20 points a game, good for fourth in the nation and leading the ACC. Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski set up a defensive game plan to shut Stoglin down, and it worked. He finished the game with 13 points on an abysmal 4-16 shooting.

After the Duke game, Stoglin had five long days to think about his play and his behavior. A now infamous Tweet from Stoglin after the loss drew the ire of Maryland Coach Mark Turgeon, but Stoglin knew one way to respond. Score.

Facing Boston College Thursday in the first game following the Duke loss, Stoglin lit the Eagles up. He scored 19 points in the first half alone, at one point connecting for 14 straight points during a big Terp run.

"He was hot. He was locked and loaded and ready to shoot. We kept running plays for him and kept him in the flow of the game," junior forward James Padgett said of Stoglin following the BC game. "He did a great job."

Stolin's sweet shooting from three-point-land gave the Terps a lead they would never relinquish. In the process, Stoglin broke Greivis Vasquez's Terp record for most threes made by a sophomore.

"It feels real good. Your confidence is at the highest level and you feel like you're not going to miss. It's a great feeling," Stoglin said of his first half performance.

In the second half, BC stepped up its efforts to pressure Stoglin. He finished the game with 24 points, with just five points coming after the break.

"On the screens they were doubling and pressing out so I had to pass to the big men," Stoglin said of the BC defensive scheme in the second half. "I was just passing the ball. I wasn't worried about it. We got the win, that's all I wanted, really."

Most importantly for the Terps, Stoglin responded when his team needed him most. Maryland got out to an ugly start against BC, and before Stoglin showed his explosive scoring ability, Maryland trailed by six points early in the game. A flurry of Stoglin three pointers later, Maryland had a lead it would never relinquish.

"That is why Stoglin is dangerous, he can get hot. He got in a rhythm," Boston College Coach Steve Donahue. "We allowed him to get a couple of catch and shoots and that is the best thing that the kid can do."

Stoglin is a natural scorer, and the Terps need him to fill it up. But Stoglin lacks the facilitating skills of Pe'Shon Howard. Now, with Howard out the rest of the year after tearing ligaments in his knee, more is needed from Stoglin. At times, Stoglin struggles to trust his teammates and pass the ball to an open man, often forcing a tough shot. To complicate matters, many times Stoglin makes the tough shot.

"He's a big shot maker for them," BC freshman forward Ryan Anderson said of the Terps leading scorer. "He takes and makes hard shots, and bad shots for most people are good shots for him."

Boston College freshman guard Jordan Daniels matched up against Stoglin for much of the game. After the game, Daniels talked about the difficulties facing Maryland's points machine.

"He's a great player. When he's hitting like that, there's not a lot you can do. I did what I could, but he was hitting his shots," Daniels said. "He comes out with good confidence and has a really quick step."

Turgeon spoke about the challenges of coaching Stoglin. During the Duke game, it seemed apparent that coach and player disagreed over shot selection. Things got worse when Stoglin tweeted about his playing time after the game, a tweet Stoglin would later delete from his page. But the damage still occurred, and Stoglin seemed cognizant of it following the win over BC.

"We talked about me just trying to grow up, make the right decisions. I think I'm growing up now," Stoglin said of discussions with Turgeon following the Duke loss. Stoglin added that getting out to a fast start against BC was important because of his poor play in the Duke game.

"We've had a couple meetings. Me and coach, we talk a lot," Stoglin said.

Sensing a team in need of a break, Turgeon gave the Terps two days off following the Duke loss. Turgeon said at this stage of the season, coaching is about psychology as much as strategy.

"It makes my job a lot easier when Terrell hits his first shot. I thought in the second half he really deferred, and tried to help us win the game. It's a roller coaster, no question about it," Turgeon said after the game. "Tonight, I can't believe how well he guarded. He's giving effort. He's trying to do everything I say, but it's a full time job."

In the Duke game, Stoglin could not fill the vacuum left by Howard's absence. Against Boston College, Stoglin showed that he is certainly capable of scoring, but also doing the things necessary to lead his team to a win.

With four regular season games remaining, Maryland's postseason options are yet to be determined. It will certainly be a roller coaster, but one that player and coach must ride together for any success.