Point guard
With 206 assists, Terrell Stokes has the second-best season total in Maryland history. He has thought pass first, shoot second all season, and his 2.8-1 assist-to-turnover ratio is exceptional. Stokes' defensive ability will be tested by Barkley, a cool freshman who was named to the Big East All-Rookie team. Barkley's assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.3-1.
Shooting guard
Two years after they led their respective teams to the final four at the national junior college tournament, Steve Francis and Bootsy Thornton finally meet. Francis is on an eight-game roll, while Thornton rebounded in Orlando from an injury-induced shooting slump. Thornton's jump shot has developed since he was a post player at Dunbar High.
Small forward
Laron Profit is an honorable mention All-American and a three-year starter whose talents are best seen in the open court. His jump shot can be inconsistent, and he hasn't made a three-pointer in the last six games. Lavor Postell became a starter in early February, and can do a little of everything, including hitting 80 percent of his free throws.
Power forward
Both sophomores have lottery pick talent, but while Ron Artest is rumored to be leaving St. John's, Terence Morris says he'll be staying at Maryland. Morris has had to take on a larger inside role in the absence of Obinna Ekezie, and St. John's might invert its offense and place Artest on the perimeter just to lure Maryland's top rebounder away from the basket.
Center
Both teams have been affected by injury here, and both start players who aren't true centers. When he can avoid foul trouble, freshman Lonny Baxter has done some nice things for Maryland, but he must rebound with more vigor. Tyrone Grant has returned strongly from a broken hand, but when Baxter got the ball against Creighton, he responded.
Bench
St. John's smaller lineup can pose problems, but coach Gary Williams got great mileage out of freshman wings Danny Miller and Juan Dixon against Creighton. Center Mike Mardesich is stuck in a horrible shooting slump. Swingman Reggie Jessie started 13 games for the Red Storm, and Mike Jarvis also has confidence in guard Chudney Gray.
Pub Date: 3/18/99