Bob Haynie: Terps Not Getting Any (Very) Early Top 25 Love
Bob Haynie Sounds Off:
Sound Off - Terps Get No Top 25 Love
The Louisville players have barely finished cutting down the nets and already a couple of 2013-14 Top 25 college basketball projections have come out.
Jason King of ESPN.com and Scott Gleeson of USA Today have posted their early rankings and neither has the Maryland Terrapins among their Top 25 teams.
Gleeson does, however, have the Terps listed among others receiving strong consideration.
As we know, these rankings will change over the course of the next seven months. With early defections to the NBA, transfers and a host of other possible factors, some of the teams that are expected to be elite could fall back at bit.
But you would figure that after winning 25 games, beating Duke twice and making it to the semi-finals of the NIT, the Terps would get just a tad more respect.
Even though Alex Len is expected to leave for the NBA, coach Mark Turgeon returns a talented nucleus. As we have stated many times before, newcomers (G) Roddy Peters, (F) Evan Smotrycz and (PF) Demonte Dodd will contribute right away.
With Pe'Shon Howard leaving via transfer, look for Turgeon to bring in another guard before the summer is over, as well.
The 2013-14 season will be Maryland's last in the ACC before they move to the powerful Big 10. As Turgeon enters his third year in College Park, expectations will--and should--be the NCAA Tournament or bust.
The players are in place to get back to the dance.
They are Turgeon's players.
No more excuses. It's time to get it done.
And get it done, they will.
