Tweet from Dez Wells announcing his decision

After spending the past Saturday in College Park, Xavier transfer Dezmine Wells announced Tuesday morning via Twitter that he will attend the University of Maryland. Wells chose the Terps over Kentucky, Memphis and Oregon.

Wells was expelled from Xavier University on August 21, but an Ohio grand jury later declined to indict Wells on sexual assault charges.

After being cleared criminally, Wells began to put together a list of potential schools that he would visit, including Maryland. Wells’ initial visit was to the University of Kentucky, but the last day to add/drop classes had passed and with the NCAA already sniffing around with regards to Nerlens Noel, it was likely that any hopes of playing this school year were non-existent in Lexington. After spending two days at Kentucky, Wells and Calipari decided to go their separate ways, leaving Maryland as the heavy favorite to land his services.

Wells is expected to file a waiver with the NCAA for immediate eligibility and while some experts believe his chances of playing in the upcoming season are slim-to-none, this is uncharted waters for the NCAA, who has been known to make rulings arbitrarily in the past.

Should Wells be forced to sit out the upcoming season, he’s still a nice piece for a resurgent Maryland program in 2013-2014. The Terps already have Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz in the fold and Damonte Dodd is already committed for next year’s class. With the departures of James Padgett and Logan Aronhalt, that would put the Terps at 11 scholarship to-date for the 2013-2014 season, barring any early attrition. With the Terps as finalists for the Harrison twins as well as Roddy Peters, the addition of Dezmine Wells should have Maryland well on their way back to national prominence.

According to reports, former Xavier forward Dezmine Wells is strongly considering the University of Maryland and will take a visit to College Park in the very near future.

Wells was expelled by Xavier University  on August, 21 following sexual assault charges.

On Tuesday, however, Hamilton County (OH) prosecutors took their case in front of a grand jury which declined to indict Wells on the sexual assault charges brought against him. In an even more bizarre twist, the prosecutor then urged Xavier University to reconsider Wells’ expulsion in a prepared statement. The university, however, has decided to stand pat on it’s ruling and Wells is now looking to land at a new school as early as next week.

Wells, an explosive 6-5 forward, finished his freshman season at Xavier averaging 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was the team’s fourth-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder, recording two double-doubles last season and helping the team advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Following the grand jury’s decision Tuesday afternoon, both Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com and Dave Telep of ESPN.com reported that Wells is scheduled to visit Maryland in the next week, along with both Louisville and Memphis.

Due to the extreme nature of Wells’ circumstances, it is very likely he will petition the NCAA to play immediately at his new school. Maryland, who lost both Terrell Stoglin and Mychal Parker this past offseason, still has one scholarship available for the upcoming season. The addition of Wells would be a huge boon for Maryland and coach Mark Turgeon heading into the season and could possibly propel them into the preseason national rankings.

With current Maryland assistant Bino Ranson having served under Xavier head coach Chris Mack before joining Gary Williams’ staff, expect Maryland to conduct their due diligence with regards to Dezmine Wells.

Wells will have three years of eligibility remaining following his transfer.

READING, Pa. – Taron ”T.J.” Oliver is yet another member of the deep and talented Team Takeover 2015 squad. Oliver is the team’s major low post presence, as a 6-foot-9 center with a quality skill set.

Like many of his teammates, Oliver was in attendance recently at Hoop Group Future All-American Camp at Albright College. At the conclusion of the camp, he was named to the Super Soph All-Star Game.

Prior to that game, he took the time to speak with Terps Insider about his game, his recruitment and more.

Oliver said he holds scholarship offers from Ohio State and South Florida to go along with interest from Virginia and Indiana.

Although he does “not really” have any favorites, there are a couple schools that he has grown up rooting for.

“Georgetown, that’s the school I always was rooting for when I grew up,” Oliver said, “and Maryland too because it’s a home team.”

Oliver talked a bit more about why he cheers for the Terrapins.

“It was just that it was a home [team] and my dad always liked Maryland, so he [has] . . . told me to go to Maryland,” Oliver said. “He always wanted me to go there.”

Asked if that will play a part in his decision, Oliver responded, “Yeah, it would play a big part because my dad, I value his opinion a lot, so I’ll go wherever he chooses.”

Oliver, who said that Maryland is not at all recruiting him at this point, shared his thoughts on the Terrapins’ head coach, Mark Turgeon.

“I haven’t really heard much or seen much about him,” Oliver said. “So I mean, all I know is I heard he’s a good coach and that’s about it.”

The rising sophomore said he did “not really” get to watch Maryland play this year, but he is familiar with one of the current Terps players.

“Nick Faust, that’s about it,” Oliver said, “because he went to Baltimore City College, so  I watched him a lot.”

Oliver has not spoken with Faust about Maryland though, as he said, “No, I have not had contact with him.”

The big man talked about what he is looking for when it comes to picking a college.

“A school that plays–like they run sets, feed the post and allow me to show my abilities on the court,” Oliver said.

On whether he would like to remain close to home for college, Oliver remarked, “It’s not really a factor.”

Prior to selecting a college, Oliver has made a choice about his high school. After attending Bell (DC) as a freshman, he is transferring to Montrose Christian (MD) for his sophomore year.

They have better resources than Bell and they could offer more than Bell could, and I always liked Montrose,” Oliver said of why he made the decision. “I grew up watching them, so it was like a no-brainer.”

Oliver went on to discuss his expectations for his first year at the national powerhouse program.

“I expect us to do as well as last year,” Oliver said, “or maybe better.”

In addition to looking forward, Oliver also did some looking back on how he feels July went for him.

“I think it went good,” Oliver said. “Takeover, we had a successful AAU season, so I think it went pretty well.”

Oliver also spent some time discussing himself as a player.

“I would say passing because I think I’m an above average passer,” Oliver said of his main strength. “I can pass and I can cheer my teammates on as well. So, I think [those are] my best attributes to a team.”

Shot blocking is the part of his game that Oliver said he feels is his chief weakness.

After saying that he compares his game to Amar’e Stoudemire, Oliver explained why that is.

“Because that was always my favorite player,” Oliver said, “and I try to make my game like his game because he’s successful and I wanna be successful just like he is.”

(Photo Credit: 24/7Sports)

The subject of Hayes joining the staff, which is sure to be popular among the Maryland faithful, was first discussed between Eric and Mark Turgeon earlier this summer. Hayes then met with Turgeon on Monday and the move became official.

“I had been talking to coach about my options,” said Hayes. “It was a perfect fit to get to coach at the school I played for.”

Hayes originally came to Maryland as a highly touted point guard, starting 11 games his freshman season. Then as a senior, Hayes, along with fellow classmate Greivis Vasquez, helped lead Maryland to a share of the ACC title in the 2009-2010 season. He finished his career as Maryland’s all-time leader in free throw percentage, fourth all-time in career assists and sixth all-time in made 3-pointers.

Hayes went on to play briefly overseas and also had a short stint in the NBDL with the Cleveland Cavaliers affiliate, the Canton Charge. Hayes believes those experiences will help him coaching at the collegiate level.

“Playing overseas and in the NBDL was a great experience,” Hayes said. “Injuries kinda cut back on what it could have been, but I think it will definitely help me as a coach.”

The son of a coach who teamed with his father to win a Virginia state championship, Eric has always had coaching in his blood.

“Obviously my dad is someone I really look up to. I’ve known I wanted to be a coach for a while now.”

As a graduate assistant, Hayes’ duties will primarily revolve around helping players during practice. He will not be permitted to recruit off campus and he’s still unsure of exactly what his role will be with the team. That said, Hayes says he is most looking forward to simply trying to learn as much as he can from Coach Turgeon and the rest of the coaching staff.

As for Hayes and Turgeon both being former college point guards, does that help them relate to one another?

“I think so,” Hayes said. “Anyone who’s played point guard at the highest level can relate. He knows where I’m trying to get as a coach.”

Hayes, who will begin graduate classes this week, will be pursuing a Masters in Education.

With various non-conference opponents, dates and times having trickled out over the last few months, the Maryland athletic department has finally released the full men’s basketball schedule for the coming 2012-2013 season.

Already known was the Terps opening opponent, the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats, who they will play in the inaugural Barclays Classic at the new Brooklyn arena on November 14. ESPN had also already announced  the Terps matchup with Northwestern in next season’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge, which will take place on November 24.

Maryland’s full non-conference slate will feature 13 games in all, including a match up with local mid-major power George Mason in next season’s BB&T Classic at the Verizon Center on December 2.

The Terps will play 18 games in conference, including home-and-home series with Boston College, Florida State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Duke. Maryland will play early ACC favorite NC State just once, at Comcast Center on Wednesday, January 16. That game will be televised on ESPN2.

The full schedule is available after the jump.

(Photo Credit: Washington Post)

A 6-foot-4 combo guard who recently transfered from Gonzaga (DC) to Paul VI (VA), Howard has a superb all-around offensive game and is garnering a plethora of high-major interest, as he told Terps Insider while at Hoop Group Future All-American Camp.

“Right now I have offers from Villanova, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Florida, South Florida, Ohio State, Miami,” Howard said, “and interest from NC State, Kansas, and Syracuse, and Indiana.”

Howard said that Maryland is not involved at this point, but he would certainly be interested in the Terrapins if they get involved.

“Very interested,” Howard said of Maryland, “good hometown team and I would like to [potentially] go there.”

Did Howard grow up rooting for the Terps? “A little bit of both of Georgetown and Maryland,” he said, “little bit of both.”

Howard said that he knows one player on the Maryland roster, rising sophomore Nick Faust, although they have not spoken all that much.

“Not really [much conversation with him], talked to him briefly,” Howard said of Faust. “I’ve met the guy, he’s a nice dude.”

Howard also shared his thoughts on the Maryland staff, which is now entering its second season in College Park.

“The new coaching staff I think is great . . . I think it would be a good school,” Howard said.

The rising sophomore also shared his thoughts on the style of play that the Terrapins employ.

“I like their style of play,” Howard said. “They like to get up and down the floor and they like to move the ball.”

Howard also talked about his recruitment as a whole, beginning with what he is looking for in a school.

“Family environment and a winning team,” Howard said.

Asked whether he would like to stay close to home for college, Howard replied, “Sure, but that won’t really be a factor at the end of the day.”

Howard discussed what playing style he is looking to be a part of.

“Like an organized run and gun team, [a team that] likes to get up and down the floor and make plays in transition,” Howard said.

A versatile kid who can do a number of different things on the court, Howard sees himself as someone who can play multiple positions.

“[I am] like combo guard, like a one and two,” Howard said, “but I also play the three and four.”

On whether he has a preference of a certain position, Howard remarked, “It really doesn’t matter as long as I’m out there.”

Howard shared his thoughts on his game in a bit more detail, beginning with his main strengths as a player.

“Mostly my playmaking ability, scoring ability and . . . ability to pass,” Howard said.

As for his chief weakness, he said, “Probably my consistent effort and my defense.”

Howard talked about how he feels he fared during the month of July, which featured three live evaluation periods.

“I think I had a very successful July,” Howard said, “could’ve been better, but I think it was still good.”

The Team Takeover star noted that Ohio State and Miami were the two schools to offer him based off his play last month.

Finally, Howard discussed his goals for his sophomore season at his new high school, Paul VI.

“I wanna win like my team did last year, state championship and a conference championship,” Howard said, “and I also wanna have personal accolades of being on the All-Met Team.”

A talented class of 2015 prospect, Dorsey was a freshman at Paul VI (VA) this past year for the best season in school history and one of the best in WCAC history. Meanwhile, his Team Takeover AAU squad is absolutely loaded and can compete with any U15 group in the nation.

While the 5-foot-10 point guard may not have gotten the attention that some of his other teammates have received, he is certainly still a known commodity. Dorsey was actually named to the Super Soph All-Star Game at Hoop Group Future All-American Camp recently, and while there Terps Insider had the chance to catch up with him.

“I just got an offer from Virginia Tech a few weeks ago,” Dorsey said.

Although that is the only scholarship offer he claims right now, he listed Villanova and Rutgers as schools involved in his recruitment.

Additionally, Dorsey added, “I got a letter from Virginia and a couple others I can’t remember right now.”

Dorsey also mentioned that Maryland is showing “a little bit” of interest in him right now.

“I like Villanova and UConn,” Dorsey said of his favorites. “I’m still working to get UConn [involved].”

Connecticut has been Dorsey’s favorite school growing up and he explained why that is.

“They play the style of basketball that I like,” Dorsey said.

Of what that particular style of play is, Dorsey remarked, “I like to play fast and push [the ball].”

Dorsey talked about what he is looking for in a college as he surveys his options.

“A good school academically, got to get a good education before I can play basketball and stuff like that,” Dorsey said.

He knows of one factor he would like from a basketball standpoint, but he does not know for the most part what he hopes to find.

“I’m looking for a good coach at a college,” Dorsey said, “but I’m not really sure right now [what I am looking for]. I still got to think.”

There is one college coach in particular who Dorsey really likes.

“Louisville coach [Rick Pitino],” Dorsey said. “I like the way he coaches.”

Dorsey talked about what it was like to play in front of college coaches this summer.

“It’s been really good,” Dorsey said. “Like, I’ve experienced a lot and I’ve become a better player from all this and got to meet new people.”

The rising sophomore said that the University of Maryland is a school he is interested in attending.

“Yeah, I would like to [potentially] go to Maryland,” Dorsey said. “It’s close to home and I like the coach too. They said they like me.”

Dorsey shared his reasoning for saying that he likes Maryland coach Mark Turgeon.

“The way they play, plays my style of basketball too and he’s a good coach,” Dorsey said. “I’ve heard a lot of people tell me he’s a great coach.”

The backcourt standout said that he has not had the opportunity to watch Maryland in-person, but he has seen the Terrapins play on television.

“They’re good,” Dorsey said. “They could be good, really good.”

As mentioned above in his initial quote about Maryland, Dorsey said he likes that the ACC school is close to home. Does that mean he would like to remain local for college?

“I don’t know,” Dorsey began. “I might want to get away, but I if I do get an offer from Maryland, I’m interested.”

Dorsey talked about what he brings to the court as a player, starting with his chief strengths.

“My pull-up, my pull-up jumper is my strong part of my game, and my defense,” Dorsey said.

He also noted, “My weakest would be probably my 3-point shooting and my off the ball defense.”

Dorsey discussed what he is doing in order to improve those aspects of his game.

“I go to the gym every day and work on all the things that [are] flawed [in my game],” Dorsey said.

Dorsey talked about what the main keys are for him as a player.

“I got to listen to my coaches,” Dorsey said, “be respectful at all times, do what they say [and I] got to make a play at all times.”

As for who he compares his game to, Dorsey remarked, “People like Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.”

Dorsey went on to say that he sees himself as a point guard, but that he is capable playing either guard spot and that he does not have a preference between the two.

Asked what his goals are for his sophomore season of high school ball, Dorsey replied simply, “Win another WCAC championship.”

Finally, he explained what Paul VI’s fantastic 2011-12 season was like for him.

“It was great, [there were a] lot of seniors around to help me and pull me up when we were down,” Dorsey said. “It was a great season.”

He took the time to speak with Terps Insider about his recruitment, his game and more while at Albright College for Hoop Group Future All-American Camp this weeks.

Briscoe said he holds scholarship offers from Seton Hall, Syracuse, Rutgers, DePaul, Cincinnati, UConn, Florida, Baylor, Arizona, Pitt, Virginia, and Miami.

The rising sophomore noted that Maryland is also involved in his recruitment.

“Yeah, they’re showing interest, no offer,” Briscoe said of the Terrapins. “They’ve come to a couple of my games during the summer.”

Briscoe shared his thoughts on the University of Maryland and mentioned that he has actually been to the school.

“Well actually I took a visit there with my sister when she was [being recruited] in high school, but back then they were Nike and now they’re Under Armour,” Briscoe said. “I mean, it’s still a great school and everything. I respect everything they do.”

Asked what his thoughts on the campus were, Briscoe replied, “I was young, I maybe was like 10, but from what I’ve seen their campus was lovely.”

Briscoe has had the opportunity to catch a few Maryland games and he discussed what he thinks of the way the Terps play.

“Yeah, I watched them play a couple games. I like the way they play,” Briscoe said. “They got a nice open court game, the coach lets the point guards take over the game when needed. So, that’s what I’m looking for in a college.”

The Garden State standout knows a couple of class of 2013 prospects who are garnering interest from the Terps.

“Well, I know Maryland is recruiting Tyler [Ennis] and they’re recruiting RJ [Curington] from Oak Hill,” Briscoe said, “and I’m cool with the both of them.”

Briscoe noted that he has not talked with Ennis and Curington about Maryland, but rather that he just knows they are being recruited by the school.

The backcourt star confirmed that Maryland is a school that he is interested in and also discussed what main factors he is looking for in a college overall.

“Just to go somewhere where they love me” Briscoe said, “and [a place where] I can play my game and they’ll put the ball in my hands as a freshman.”

Briscoe said that location and conference affiliation will not be components of his decision.

One other thing that will not be a factor for Briscoe is the fact that his sister is on the basketball team at Syracuse.

“No, it’s not a matter for me,” Briscoe said. “Everybody is equal.”

Brisoce noted that he does have a certain style of play that he is looking for, though.

“Yeah, open court, pick and roll,” Briscoe said.

The big-time underclassman also spent some time talking about the type of player he is, beginning with his primary strengths on the court.

“Well, there is using my body,” Briscoe said, “getting my teammates involved and just being an all-around point guard.”

As for his chief area of weakness, Briscoe remarked, “Well my weakness used to be defense, but now I think it’s just playing defense for a full possession.”

Does that mean Briscoe feels he has improved on his defense overall? “Yes, I’ve improved overall defensively,” Briscoe said, “but sometimes I get a little lazy if they hold the ball too long and then that’s when I stop playing defense.”

Briscoe said he compares his game to that of Deron Williams and explained why that is.

“He’s a big guard, he’s 6’3, 200,” Briscoe said. “I’m always watching him [during] Nets games. I get tickets to all their games and just watching him is just amazing. I think we play just alike.”

As arguably the best player at Hoop Group Future All-American Camp–he was actually named the Co-Most Outstanding Player–he has a bit of a different experience than that of others there.

“The camp is great. This is my last year, I’ve been coming here for the past three years and just seeing all the little kids look up to me and stuff [is great],” Briscoe said. “I just wanna be a role model and just set a good example for all the younger kids.”

Briscoe talked about what it mean to him to have those younger players look up to him.

“It means a lot,” Briscoe began. “It inspires me as well as it inspires them . . . I need to keep working hard and stuff. So, they always ask me questions and stuff and I just want the best for all of them.”

One player who is regarded amongst the best of the rising freshmen forwards in the nation is Joe Hampton of Bowie, Md.

A 6-foot-6, 220-pound four man who is set to attend DeMatha (MD), Hampton was one of the rising freshmen competing at Hoop Group Future All-American Camp. While there, he took the time to speak with Terps Insider.

“This is a good experience,” Hampton said of the camp. “It gets to let me know what I’m going against and what I can compete with and show what I got.”

Hampton went on to talk about his expectations for his freshman season of high school ball.

“I’m expecting to be like a three, four, get my jump shot right,” Hampton said.

Although the DeMatha is always loaded with talent, Hampton expect to do more than just be a member of the varsity team there.

“I will be starting on varsity,” Hampton said, adding that it is his understanding that he will for sure be starting.

Hampton shorted his thoughts on what it means for him to do that at an elite program like DeMatha.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” Hampton said. “I always wanted to start on a high-level basketball team and with a lot great players enrolled there, it’s a good accomplishment.”

The class of 2016 prospect talked a bit more about why he feels DeMatha fits him so well.

“Well I think DeMatha is a great fit for me because they know what I need to work on and they wanna help me,” Hampton said, “and they want me to take the place of Jerami Grant [who is] a rising freshman going to Syracuse and that is big . . . for me.”

Hampton shed some light on the type of player that he is on the hardwood, beginning with the strongest part of his game.

“Facing the basket,” Hampton said. “I can put the ball on the floor. I can shoot a midrange jump shot, and I can always have my back to the basket.”

The big listed his right hand as the weakest part of his game and talked about what he is doing to work on that.

“Actually dribbling, shooting layups with my right hand,” Hampton said. “Just [doing] drills.”

Hampton named Greg Monroe, a former Georgetown Hoya and current Detroit Piston, as the player he compares his game to and explained why that is.

“Because he’s a lefty [and] . . . I do the same things he could,” Hampton said. “So, it’s a lot we can [both] do.”

The tough frontcourt player, who lists himself as a four man, talked about whether he has received any college interest at this early stage of his basketball career.

“Not really. Well, I have a lot of letters,” Hampton said, adding that no schools have started to actively recruit him.

Hampton, who said he has not grown up rooting for any particular college, shared his thoughts on Maryland.

“Actually, I have a lot of connections with the University of Maryland,” Hampton said. “I actually like the school and I’m looking forward to seeing what they [have to offer].”

The connections that Hampton referenced relate to the high-profile AAU program he is a part of, DC Assault.

“Well actually Curtis Malone is a great friend of the head coach of Maryland . . . Curtis Malone is the owner of our AAU team and we talk a lot,” Hampton said.

As for that Maryland head coach, Hampton provided his thoughts on Mark Turgeon.

“He’s a great coach,” Hampton said. “He knows how to run a program and keep the team in check, and it’s a very organized program.”

Hampton, who said he lives 10 minutes from College Park, Md., also discussed Maryland’s style of play.

“I watched them play. Sometimes they get a little shaky, but they keep their composure and they bring theirselves back in the game,” Hampton said.

With the July evaluation period slowly becoming a distant memory, it’s time to take an updated look at the Terps recruiting board for the Class of 2014.

July was a busy month for Mark Turgeon & Co. as the Terps offered numerous elite level prospects during the final evaluation period of the summer. Among those who received Maryland offers where 5-star point guard Joel Berry, 5-star shooting guard Rashad Vaughn and 5-star power forward Chris McCullough. In all, 15 players to-date claim offers from the Maryland staff.

The 2014 class will be an extremely important one for second year head coach Mark Turgeon for several reasons.

First, it is likely to be large in numbers. Though nothing more than mere speculation at this point, the odds that either Alex Len or Nick Faust are still residing in College Park for their senior year is slim. Both are possible early entries into the NBA draft. Not only that, but should Maryland land the Harrison, who are all but certain one-and-dones, that would be two more additional scholarships opening up for the 2014 class. Once you’ve factored in the possibility of additional attrition due to transfer, you are looking at a class that could potentially be as large as 6 players.

Second, the 2014 class is loaded with talent right in Maryland’s backyard. A class solely of local players would still likely land Maryland in the Top 25 rankings for 2014. The Terps landing several of the top local players in this class would also signal to those in future classes that Maryland is serious about keeping them at home.

Finally, it is the first class where the current staff has had a chance to really recruit players from the beginning of the process. With this year’s recruiting class, Turgeon was already actively recruiting Shaquille Cleare, same is true of the Harrison twins in next year’s class as well. With the 2014 class however, Turgeon has now had time to identify top local talent early, offer and then focus on the elite national prospects. I would look for this trend to continue in both the 2015 and 2016 classes as well.

Click here for full 2014 Recruiting Board

(Photo Credit: Ric Dugan/Herald-Mail)