A new era of Maryland basketball (i.e. a Greivis Vasquez-less era) started tonight in College Park as the Terps defeated the Seattle University Redhawks 105-76 in the opening round of the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches v. Cancer.
Junior Sean Mosley led the Terps with 21 points, followed by sophomore Jordan Williams' 17 points and senior Cliff Tucker's 16 points. It was also a coming-out party for Maryland's five true freshmen. None stood out more than Terrell Stoglin, who chipped in 15 points to round out Maryland's double-digit scorers.
Maryland, who lost three starters from last season's NCAA Tournament team, had a rough time pulling away from Seattle in the first half, trading 10 leads back-and-forth in a first half that featured 27 total turnovers. But a 20-6 run midway through the second half put the Terps ahead for good.
With Maryland's young core, the Terps will be going through a rebuilding process all season long. The Terps will automatically advance to the semifinals of the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden next week to face No. 24 Pittsburgh. With a win, the Terps could face either No. 16 Illinois or No, 25 Texas. There will be plenty of tests ahead for the young Terps in a tough ACC that features revamped North Carolina, an experienced Virginia Tech team, and of course, the defending national champion Duke Blue Devils.
Maryland will host the College of Charleston in their next game of this preseason tournament. Maryland won the 2k Sports Classic in 2006.