Turgeon says Maryland will use walk-ons in playing rotation

Weeks ago, I asked Maryland basketball coach Mark Turgeon during an interview whether any of his walk-ons appeared ready to crack the playing rotation.

Turgeon shook his head. He said he loved the walk-ons -- a walk-on had made it into his rotation last season at Texas A&M --  but that he would pretty much go with his scholarship guys.

Things have changed.

When Turgeon was asked about the matter again today during a media conference call, the coach replied:

"We're going to have to play some walk-ons. That's the bottom line."

You all know what changed. Maryland recenty lost point guard Pe'Shon Howard to a broken foot. That created a ripple effect in which Terrell Stoglin was moved to the point. Freshman Nick Faust has been practicing some at point guard as well and is a backup at the position.

Losing Howard -- as it still waits for an eligibility decision on center Alex Len -- leaves the Terps with just seven scholarship players who can practice. Maryland simply doesn't have enough depth to go it alone with the scholarship guys.

Consider that the Terps -- in two weeks -- head to Puerto Rico for a tournament in which they are guaranteed to play three games.

"I don't know if our team is ready for three (games) in four days," Turgeon sad.