November 3 Emerald Coast Classic Notebook

NOTE: MEDIA covering the Emerald Coast Classic please make sure to apply for credentials at this link:
https://emeraldcoastbb.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Press-Credential-Form.pdf

HIGH FUELED OFFENSE FOR MARYLAND, TCU: Sports Illustrated projects Maryland and TCU to rank among the top 50 efficient scoring offenses in college basketball.

Maryland ranks No. 29 with TCU right behind at No. 30. The Terrapins are expected to revolve their offense around forward Justin Jackson who is projected to average 12.2 points. TCU’s projected leading scorer is senior forward Vladimir Brodziansky at 14.1 points.

PRESSURE DOESN’T PHASE TCU SENIOR: Sportswriter Garrett Podell reports TCU guard Kenrich Williams doesn’t feel any pressure entering his senior year with buzz about a NBA future and hopes of TCU’s first NCAA tournament berth since 1998.

“I’m not really supposed to be here, I had no DI scholarship offers, just Division II,” Williams said. “I’m supposed to be playing Division II basketball, so there’s no pressure for me, I always keep that mindset.”

Williams, who attended high school in Waco, Texas, opted for New Mexico Junior College, before joining the Frogs in 2014.

He’s thriving as the Horned Frog’s stat-sheet stuffer. Last season he led the Big 12 in double-doubles with 19 and won Most Outstanding Player honors at the NIT.

SOPHOMORE EXPECTED TO LEAD TERPS: With the season opener less than a week away Baltimore Sun reporter Don Marcus writes that sophomore point guard Anthony Cowan will clearly be one of the leaders for Maryland this season.

Much of the early-season spotlight will fall on Cowan because of the position he plays.

While Cowan started every game at point guard for a 24-9 team as a freshman, his role as a floor leader will be much more defined this season in the absence of Trimble, who decided to forgo his senior year after leading Maryland to three straight NCAA tournament appearances and an overall 79-24 record.

“I definitely feel the game is so much easier. The game is a lot slower for me now,” Cowan said. “Last year there were so many things going through my head being a freshman coming in. … I think I can focus so much better now.”

READY FOR PRIMETIME: Russell Steinberg writes with a shift of power seemingly on the horizon in the Atlantic 10, the St. Bonaventure is in position to not only contend for the league title, but to make a run in the NCAA tournament, despite missing out on the postseason altogether in 2016-17.

As Dayton and VCU enter rebuilds, Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure are the two favorites in the A-10, and the Bonnies have risen to power on the backs of one of the best guard combos in college basketball.

St. Bonaventure returns four starters from a year ago, including Jaylen Adams and Matt Mobley. The two scored more combined points last year than any returning duo in the nation and both found themselves on the All-Atlantic 10 first team.

This will be coach Mark Schmidt’s most experienced team in years, and one that, despite its flaws, should be the best he has ever had.

TRANSFERS SPARK LOBOS BACKCOURT: Sportswriter Geoff Grammer from the Albuquerque Journal says transfers Chris McNeal and Antino Jackson have not only elevated the point guard spot to arguably the strength of New Mexico, but clearly have become the tone-setters in practice for what first-year head coach Paul Weir wants in his program.

“It’s the best duo I’ve coached since the 2010 team (at New Mexico State) that had (Hernst) LaRoche and Jonathan Gibson,” Weir said, referring to when he was associate head coach for an Aggies squad that won 23 games, the Western Athletic Conference tournament and was possibly a lane-violation away from an NCAA Tournament upset of eventual national semifinalist Michigan State.

“Jonathan Gibson was really a point guard we played off the ball. We had a lot of speed, a lot of quickness and a lot of shooting ability. That all made that team really good. I’m hoping that will make this team pretty good, too.”

HEADLINES

Maryland

Nov. 2: Terps Double Up Randolph-Macon in Exhibition