Recruit Mosley expected to join Terps, mixed reports on Goins

The Sun reported Tuesday that Mosley (6 foot 4 inches, 205 pounds) is likely to meet NCAA academic regulations and thus be eligible to play this season.

Sun reporter Don Markus quoted Kathleen Worthington, Maryland’s senior associate athletic director as saying, "From the information that we received, we feel confident that he is going to qualify."

It’s unclear whether Goins (6 foot 10 inches, 250 pounds) will be in College Park as well. 

Jeff Ermann of Turtlesportsreport.com wrote that Goins is about to sign with Maryland in an article published June 30. But Dan Painter of Terrapintimes.com claimed that Goins’ high school coach called his publication on Wednesday refuting that claim.

The coach was “both surprised and dismayed over premature reports about his big-man making a college commitment,” wrote Painter. 

According to Ermann, Goins is still available when most recruits have already signed because he is a late-bloomer and only recently became academically qualified after passing two summer school classes. 

Mosley is apparently the only one of what was a heralded three-man recruiting class who will actually play for Maryland. SG Tyree Evans backed out of his letter of intent after his checkered past came to light and F/C Gus Gilchrist asked out of his scholarship to seek more eligibility at South Florida. 

Now Mosley is expected to fill two big holes on the 2008-2009 team by providing scoring and leadership. The Sun’s reining Player of the Year is expected to be a major contributor this season, according to Markus.

His presence and a lack of frontcourt depth means Williams might employ a three-guard lineup, with Mosley alongside Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes. 

Goins, if he ends up at Maryland, has the makings of being another Gary Williams Special—a lightly-recruited player who develops into a solid contributor. Only 17, he would likely benefit from some time sitting on the bench and learning, but on this year’s size-starved squad he believes he could play right away.

“The [Maryland staff] said I could get a lot of minutes,” Goins told Ermann. 
 

Additionally, ESPN.com college basketball writer Dana O’Neil wrote a piece today chronicling the program’s demise following its 2002 national championship. It’s worth a read.