The lowdown
2000-01 record: 25-11; 10-6 in ACC (3rd)
Final Ranking: No. 4 ESPN/USA Today; No. 11 AP
Postseason: Lost to Duke 95-84 in national semifinals of NCAA Touranment.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Losing Terence Morris hurts, but taking Danny Miller's toughness (he transferred to Notre Dame) off the team might be more of a hit. The Terps lost two vets and need to ensure they've got just as much leadership from Lonny Baxter, Juan Dixon and Steve Blake.
2. The backcourt shouldn't be a problem with Blake, Dixon and Drew Nicholas, but they could use a fourth in the rotation. Byron Mouton could be used as tweener.
3. The frontcourt depth shouldn't be an issue with Chris Wilcox and Tajh Holden rotating in with Baxter. But Wilcox and Holden need to get the quality minutes and touches they deserve. Both can help the Terps overtake Duke, which lacks enough inside scorers.
Three Key Facts
1. Neither Lonny Baxter or Juan Dixon were highly-touted high school All-Americans three years ago when they were recruited by Gary Williams and arrived at College Park. Both, however, could find themselves on All-American lists by the end of 2002.
2. The Terps feature one of the most dangerous backcourts in the nation with Dixon providing points and Steve Blake finding him and others with his leadership at the point. Blake can set school and ACC records for assists in his third season, after leading the ACC in assists last season (7.0 apg).
3. Maryland boasts the nation's longest non-conference home winning streak (77), but it could be in jeopardy during the ACC/Big 10 Challenge when the Terps host Illinois on Nov. 27.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Take the ACC championship away from Duke; earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and get back to the Final Four where Gary Williams & Co. win the national title.
Worst case: They drop to second behind Duke, find out they still can't beat the Blue Devils -- in regular season or postseason -- and either lose to them in the Final Four or fall short of Atlanta.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Juan Dixon
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Sr.
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G
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6-3/152
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PTS: 18.2 | REB: 4.2 | AST: 2.6
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Lonny Baxter
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Sr.
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F
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6-8/250
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PTS: 15.6 | REB: 7.9 | AST: 0.5
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Byron Mouton
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Sr.
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G
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6-6/215
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PTS: 9.6 | REB: 4.0 | AST: 1.2
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Steve Blake
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Jr.
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G
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6-3/175
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PTS: 6.9 | REB: 3.0 | AST: 6.9
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Terence Morris
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F
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6-9/205
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PTS: 12.2 | REB: 7.7 | AST: 1.9
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Danny Miller
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G
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6-8/205
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PTS: 4.8 | REB: 2.6 | AST: 2.1
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Mike Mardesich
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C
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7-0/255
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PTS: 3.6 | REB: 2.6 | AST: 0.4
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Maryland Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Mike Grinnon
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G
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6-6
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Oyster Bay/St. Dominic's (N.Y.)
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Ryan Randle
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F
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6-9
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Duncanville/Alleghany J.C. (Texas)
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Andre Collins
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G
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5-9
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Chatham-Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)
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