Terps youngsters look promising

Two days removed from freshman guard Pe'Shon Howard's first game-winning bucket, it's time to finally digest what happened and take a more objective look at how the Terps have looked through two games this season.

Maryland was picked sixth in the ACC in the preseason media poll, a result of losing its top three leading scorers from last season -- seniors Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne.

The Terps blew out recent D-I addition Seattle in their first game, winning by 29 points behind a 17-point, 15-rebound night from sophomore stud big man Jordan Williams. Freshmen guards Terrell Stoglin and Pe'Shon Howard quietly combined for 20 points and 13 assists in the win.

But Wednesday's home game against College of Charleston proved a much tougher test. Maryland, favored by 14 before tipoff, found itself tied at the half.

Again, it was Howard stepping up -- perhaps the result of wearing the No. 21 jersey -- and making the difference. With 16 seconds left in the game, Howard ran a play off a timeout that appeared to be designed for Williams down low. The play broke apart, and Howard ended up taking the game-winning shot, a fadeaway with four seconds left to give the Terps the 75-74 lead.

Stoglin and fellow freshmen Ashton Pankey, Mychal Parker and Haukur Palsson spent most of the game on the bench, while Howard and Williams stole the show. Howard finished with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and Williams was sensational, finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds.

The only reason the Cougars were in the game so late was due to a flukey Terps performance from the free throw line. An uncharacteristic 5-for-18 from the charity stripe caused the game to be much closer than it should have.

The Terps continue their quest through the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic with the semifinals in Madison Square Garden on Thursday against No. 5 Pittsburgh, and the championship and consolation games on Friday against either No. 13 Illinois or Texas.