ACC’s Top-100: No. 63 James Padgett, Maryland

After taking a couple of days off, we return to the “ACC’s Top-100 Returning Players” Countdown. We head back up to Maryland to talk about another big man. Is it me or do they all sort of blend together?

PLAYER: James Padgett
POSITION: Power Forward
TEAM: Maryland
YEAR: Junior
TAPE: 6-8, 213
TWITTER: @JPadge35

2010-11 STATS: 3.3 PPG, 1.9 RPG (.475/.500/.000)

DEEP THOUGHTS:
Thanks to the departure of Jordan Williams, new Maryland coach Mark Turgeon will be taking over the weakest front court in the ACC, outside of Boston of course. While some teams lack size, some lack strength and some lack experience, Maryland’s big men lack all three.

At 6-8, James Padgett isn’t short by any means, but to play the power forward spot (officially he came in as the 21st ranked center), you better have some bulk on that frame. Padgett does not, weighing in at 215, but I will say this, it’s a strong 215 and Padgett knows how to use it.

He’s a banger, not afraid to mix it up inside. He’s the kind of guy who will get his shot blocked, go back and get it and take it right back at the guy. It helps to be a long 6-8, with big, soft hands.

He has nice footwork too and can play with his back to the basket, but he doesn’t have a arsenal of shots in the post-game. He likes to step towards the rim, with either hand, and finish with dunks. However, that’s about all Padgett can do on the offensive end. Outside of five feet from the basket, he’s got nothing to offer.

Technically, Padgett is a lot more effective than Haukur Palsson down low, not only in scoring, but in rebounding. However, I suspect Palsson will get the start at power forward over Padgett and Ashton Pankey.

I think Palsson is more versatile and a better defender. Mentality, I think Padgett struggled on the defensive side of the ball, often playing behind the action. I think this is just about experience. The more he plays, the better he’ll get.

In the end, it probably doesn’t matter who starts. No one player is going to dominate the minutes. I suspect Padgett, Palsson, Pankey and Berend Weijs will form a nice four-man rotation, with each playing about 20 minutes each in the paint.

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