A couple of national updates here from last weekend's UAA event down in South Carolina. Terps in the mix with a lot of the top guys on the UA circuit, as you would expect. Also a mention for Christy Winters-Scott's son Jordan. More at the links below.

Zembal's Takeaways: Sunday at the Under Armour Association

The Zembal Awards: Under Armour Association

I updated the pinned hoops scholarship chart above but here it is for anyone interested. They are technically currently one over the limit but there will be more attrition. They will also make additional room should Dickinson choose Maryland. As far as future recruiting goes, I see another four-man class for 2024. I feel very good about Daquan Davis being part of that group and reasonably good about Derik Queen being part of that group also. I'd say Khani Rooths is the next biggest target based on his play during the first stretch of AAU play and that they clearly want an elite shooter with that fourth scholarship. I'd also expect one or two additional openings for the transfer portal.

So talking to a few folks quickly here this evening and over the past few days, here's a list of potential Dickinson suitors and what kind of shot each has.

Maryland - With Mike Jones now on staff and former DeMatha teammate Jahmir Young leading the way, I think the Terps have as good a shot as anybody right now.

Syracuse - The selling point here is that Red Autry is a TTO guy who's an ace recruiter and has put a lot of guys in the league. Now you also have to factor in new assistant Brenden Straughn, who actually coached Hunter to a Peach Jam title in 2018 as Takeover's top assistant coach at the time.

Villanova - The ties aren't necessarily there like they used to be, but TTO has almost been a Villanova feeder in the past and it would be a chance to be reunited with another high school and TTO teammate in Justin Moore, who is using his COVID year to come back for a final season.

Georgetown - Much of the buzz has been that he wants to be closer to home and the Hoyas have all kinds of playing time available and supposedly are in the NIL game now. Still, this one feels like a long shot to me.

Kansas - The Jayhawks are likely in play here as Self is known for playing through his bigs and also has a reputation for getting his guys max exposure as well as getting them to the league. NIL will certainly help.

Kentucky - He's already had initial discussions with Kentucky and obviously Cal's track record speaks for itself. But from what I've heard, it doesn't sound like Cal wants to spend top dollar here and it is possible (if not likely) Tshiebwe returns for the Cats. I'm not sure I like their chances as much as some of the others.

Michigan - With the current portal streak that Juwan Howard is on, don't completely discount the Wolverines just yet. I'm hearing that while not likely, the door still hasn't been completely shut on returning to Michigan. They've added Caleb Love and Seton Hall forward Tray Jackson. They also added former four-star Numari Burnett who played at Texas Tech and Alabama this past season. The Wolverines have one more scholarship to work with as of right now so the door is still cracked.

He's supposed to talk things over here soon and narrow things down. The semester out there ends next week, so visits are likely to start soon. I'd be shocked if Maryland doesn't get one of those visits.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics Damon Evans announced Friday that Head Football Coach Michael Locksley has agreed to new terms for his contract, which runs through the 2027 season and includes incentives that could extend the contract an additional year.

“Coach Locksley has done an amazing job revitalizing our football program,” said Evans. “We have won bowl games in each of the last two years, something that hadn’t been done at Maryland in nearly 20 years. Coach Locks continues to grow our program, both on and off the field, in developing impressive young men. As we continue to make significant strides with higher expectations, we are excited he will be leading our program into the future as 'The Best Is Ahead' for Maryland football.”

"I’m grateful for the belief that President Pines, Damon Evans and the entire administration has shown in me, and the support they are providing to enhance what we’re building here with the Maryland football program,” said Locksley. “We are developing young men to be outstanding leaders both on and off the field, and our goal is to compete for championships in the very near future. I have more passion and energy for this job than the day I was hired and I can’t wait to continue to build a team and brand of football that our fans, alumni and entire university can be proud of.”

Maryland has made significant strides since Locksley took over the program in December 2018. The Terps have posted back-to-back winning seasons in 2021 and 2022, a first for the football program since 2013-14. Locksley has also guided Maryland to bowl wins in each of the last two years, the first time Maryland has accomplished the feat since winning the Peach Bowl (2002) and Gator Bowl (2003) nearly 20 years ago.

During the 2022 season, Locksley propelled the Terps to an 8-5 record and a win over No. 23 N.C. State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. It marked the most wins for the Terps in a single season since 2010.
Under Locksley’s watch, 41 players have earned All-Big Ten recognition for their performance on the field. In the classroom, 101 Terrapins have garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors during his tenure, including a program-record 32 in 2021.

Isn't it unusual that there were no verbal commitments during the Spring Game. Seems like every year we got a few.

So this kid might be one of the biggest names blowing up this weekend as I've gotten multiple texts about his play. 2025 SG Jordan Scott is the son of former Terps women's standout Christy Winters-Scott. He runs with Virginia Elite on the UA circuit and has apparently look very good this weekend. I got a couple of texts that he had a triple double that included 16 blocks the other day. Yes, you read that right, a 6-foot-5 guard had a triple double that included 16 blocks! I don't care if you are playing sisters of the poor, that is insane. Schools like Virginia, Illinois and Michigan State are already showing major interest. He visited UVA during their secret scrimmage with the Terps last season and has already taken a visit to Michigan State, too. I've been told he absolutely wants to be recruited by Maryland so hopefully they start getting involved soon. (As I was making this post, found some footage from the game. See below)

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Team Thrill is playing in the UA Next 16U championship game this morning and I've heard good things about St. Frances guard Tyler Jackson. As a side note, Tony Skinn's son Isaiah plays on Team Thrill's 16U team. Derik Queen and Chance Mallory both star for the 17U team and have Maryland offers.

After 25 years or so on the boards, it's time for me to take a break. Good luck to all of you.

Since I've gotten a few texts/calls about this today....I've heard nothing about Taulia Tagovailoa definitively entering the transfer portal after Saturday's spring game. On top of that, the rumor seemed to be that he was looking to transfer back to Alabama and that simply wasn't happening based on what I was hearing, which has now come to fruition. Bama has just landed a commitment from ND transfer Tyler Buchner.

Have heard this morning the rumor that Auburn is possibly trying to throw big NIL number at Taulia. Assuming for a minute it's true, for obvious reasons, it is highly unlikely Maryland wouldn't do everything in their power to keep him in the fold.

That said, anything and everything is on the table when it comes to Tagovailoa. Any and every decision is a 'family' decision when it comes to him and they are constantly evaluating everything around Lia.

Dirty Terps, let's finish the job today at noon in Bloomington!

Terp baseball is in rarefied air. Get on the Dirty Terp wagon. They’re heating up. Their offense is like a supercell producing tornadoes accompanied by gorilla hail.

Thought I would start a thread for non MD for those who wanted to talk about other transfers. Lots of names on twitter and more to come.

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I thought they get feedback before entering their names in the draft? Hard to believe that Demus, and Jarrett did not get drafted. Thoughts please

On to a bowl game.... seeing Rak is going to leave, guessing going pro and all the best to him.

Any rumors of who else might leave early, transfer out and transfer in?

Might be to early for this tread, wanted to see if there are any rumors?

Right here:

His over/under for his weight must be 300 lbs. I'll will take the over.

April 29, 12:00 on Maryland Day.

Participating newcomers jersey #’s:
0 - Tyrese Chambers
1 - Kaden Prather
3 - Ja’quan Sheppard
7 - Ryan Manning (EE)
8 - Jordan Phillips
14 - Tamarcus Cooley (EE)
17 - Rico Walker (EE) listed as TE
18 - Avantae Williams
19 - Braeden Wisloski (EE) listed as WR
33 - Tayvon Nelson (EE)
37 - Roman Levant (EE) PWO
42 - DJ Samuels (EE)
46 - Dillan Fontus (EE)
56 - Deandre Duffus (EE)
58 - Marcus Dumervil
72 - Gottlieb Ayedze

* Jeshaun Jones is listed on roster too

Thought they played this afternoon but can't find any score??

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Third-seeded and eighth-ranked Maryland advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals by virtue of a 14-11 victory over sixth-seeded and 16th-ranked Rutgers on Saturday night at SECU Stadium. The Terps (9-4 overall) will take on No. 2 seed and fifth-ranked Johns Hopkins on Thursday, May 4 at 3:30 p.m.That game will air on Big Ten Network.

Daniel Kelly had four goals for his fourth game this season with four goals and added an assist for a five-point game. Daniel Maltz had three goals and added an assist for a four-point game.

Braden Erksa handed out six assists, setting a new career-high in helpers, the most by a Terp since Logan Wisnauskas had seven against Johns Hopkins on March 6, 2021. He also added a goal for a career-best seven points. The Terps other goals came from Jack Koras, Kyle Long, Owen Murphy, Eric Spanos, Zach Whittier and Brett Makar. For Makar, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, it was his first goal this season and second of his career.

Long and Murphy each had a pair of assists for three-point games.

The Terps defense was once again stellar in holding Rutgers scoreless for a span of 21:16 going from the late second quarter to the early fourth quarter. Goalie Brian Ruppel made 10 saves. Freshman Will Schaller, who made his first start, had two groundballs and two caused turnovers. Makar had four groundballs and a caused turnover. John Geppert and Colin Burlace each had two groundballs as well.

The Terps are now 10-3 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament, the best record of any program since the conference formed in 2015. Maryland has also won four Big Ten Tournament titles (2016, 2017, 2021, 2022).

Rutgers (8-6) was led by Jack Aimone, who had four goals and an assist. Ross Scott had four assists.

From Coach Tillman

"Proud of our guys. Not a work of art, but at this time of year teams are playing for their lives. With 21 seniors, we knew Rutgers would give their all. They're obviously a talented team, a Final Four team last year. Happy for our guys to get a win and to have an opportunity to continue in the tournament. The crowd was awesome today. We looked at this as another opportunity to get back playing in Maryland Stadium after last week, just an opportunity to walk off the field and feel a little differently this time. It wasn't always clean, it wasn't always pretty, but I thought Jake, Jess and Tim did a great job with the gameplans and the guys really committed to them and played unselfishly and hard."

Breaking Down The Action

• Kelly scored twice in the first 7:39 to put the Terps ahead 3-1. Maltz's goal with 13 seconds left in the quarter put Maryland up 4-1 after the first 15 minutes.
• Each team scored four times in the second quarter with Kelly, Maltz, Whittier and Makar scored for the Terps. Makar's goal came with 59 seconds left, which was his first tally this season. The Terps led 8-5 at intermission
• The Terps blanked Rutgers in the third quarter as Maltz and Murphy each scored goals for a Maryland 10-5 edge after three quarters.
• Maryland opened the offense up in the fourth quarter with a spurt of three goals in a row by Long, Erksa and Spanos to grab a 14-7 advantage. Rutgers scored the final four goals of the game for the 14-11 final.

Terps In The Big Ten Tournament

• The Terps are a conference-best 10-3 (.769) all-time in Big Ten Tournament games.
• Maryland has won five straight games in the Big Ten Tournament. The Terps' last loss in conference tournament play came in the 2019 semifinals to Johns Hopkins.

Multi-Terps Update

• Kelly (four goals, one assist) had his fifth multi-goal game and eighth multi-point game this season as he extended his goal-scoring streak and points streak to 15 games he's played in. He also has seven multi-goal games in his career and 10 multi-point games in his career. Kelly now has four hat tricks this season and five overall in his three-year career.
• Erksa (one goal and six assists) had his 10th multi-point game and fourth multi-assist game of his inaugural college season.
• Maltz (three goals and one assist) had his 22nd multi-goal game of his career and eighth this year. He also has 33 career games with multiple points with nine this season. Maltz had his 15th career hat trick.
• Long (one goal and two assists) had his sixth multi-assist and ninth multi-point game this season. In his career, he now has 25 multi-assist game and 44 multi–point games.
• Murphy (one goal and two assists) had his seventh multi-point game this season and 22nd in his Terrapin career.

Scoring Streaks

• Kelly has goals and points in the last 15 games he has played dating to last season.
• Erksa has points in the last 11 games.
• Long has points in 31 of the last 32 games.

Record Book Update

• Wierman holds steady in second in career face-off wins with 20 in the game, giving him (596) for his career. Andy Claxton holds the record with 648 from 1989-92.
• Wierman also holds steady at third in career groundballs with (316) after scooping nine in the game. Next up is No. 2 Brian Haggerty, who had 380 from 1996-99. Andy Claxton holds the record with 451 from 1989-92.
• Long held steady in 28th place in career points with one goal and two assists in the game to give him 144 points. Next on the list at No. 27 Mike Hynes (151 points from 1974-77).
• With his two assists vs. the Scarlet Knights, Long passed Jared Bernhardt (88) and is tied with Ed Mullen (89) for 14th on the all-time assists list with 89. Next up with 91 is No. 13 Mike Hynes from 1974-77.
• On the all-time goals list, Maltz is now tied for 22nd, with 88. He is tied with legendary players Bob Boneillo(1977-80) and Pat O'Meally (1972-74). He passed Andrew 'Buggs" Combs (87 from 1998-2001), Joe Cummings (86 from 2009-12) and Jack Heim (85 from 1965-67).
• On the single-season lists, Wierman (20) now has the fourth-most faceoff wins in a year with 211. He passed Brian Haggerty (194 in 1998) and Charlie Raffa (194 in 2014). Next up in third place is Claxton (214 in 1991).
• He moved to eighth on the single-season list for groundballs with nine in the game to give him 113. He passed Jack Francis (106 in 1981) next up is Raffa (114 in 2014).

Terps Lead Series

• Maryland now leads the series 36-1 and has won 18 consecutive games against the Scarlet Knights.
• The Terps have won seven games in a row at Rutgers dating to 1981.

By The Numbers

• 1: Schaller made his first-career start on close defense for the Terps.
• 1: Makar scored his first goal of the season and second of his career.
• 4: Kelly and Maltz each had their fourth hat trick of the season.
• 6: Erksa's career-high six assists are the most by a Terp since Logan Wisnauskas had seven against Johns Hopkins on March 6, 2021.
• 10: The Terps are now 149-19 in games they score 10 or more goals since John Tillman took over in 2011.
• 10: Ruppel had his seventh game with 10 or more saves.
• 15: Makar's goal gave the Terps 15 goals by defensive players this season.
• 20: Wierman won 20 face-offs for the third time this season and eighth in his career.
• 21: With 21 assists, Erksa has the most assists by a Terrapin freshman since Dan LaMonica in 2001, who had 26.The 21 are the sixth-most by a freshman ever.
• 21:16: Maryland held Rutgers scoreless for 21:16 in the game, the third-longest scoreless streak of the season for the Terps' defense.
• 36: Wierman won double-figure faceoffs for the 36th time in his career with 20 wins.
• 89: Long now has 89 career assists, the most by a Terp midfielder and tied for 14th-most all-time.
• 316: Wierman has 316 career groundballs, third all-time by a Terp.
• 596: Wierman now has 596 career face-off wins, second-most ever at Maryland.

Up Next

• Maryland travels up I-95 to face #2-seeded Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Thursday, May 4, at 3:30 p.m.at Homewood Field in Baltimore.

Geez

Allen Iverson All American Classic on the CBS sports network.

Noon start

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