Looks like we are adding a big man for this year.

[Greg Pappas]

Looks like a very good addition. Turgeon has impressed me from the very beginning. Go Terps!

[section18]

I hope he thinks rebounds first and can make foul shots. We needed another big man to help us this season. I hope he can be another double double guy. 10 pts and 10 rebounds per game would be great.

[JohnD]

Part of me is real excited. Then there's the part of me worried to death about whether he'll be qualified or declared ineligible. The NCAA looooooves to disqualify these guys.

[Hallas]

Part of me is real excited. Then there's the part of me worried to death about whether he'll be qualified or declared ineligible. The NCAA looooooves to disqualify these guys.

Somewhat of a sidebar, but I never understood what the point of the clearinghouse was anyway. Who is the NCAA to dictate what classes an athlete must take to be eligible for collegiate sports?

[WietersOvechkin]

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/08/29/maryland-adds-potential-lottery-pick-in-len/

Good read even though I highly doubt he's a lottery pick.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Somewhat of a sidebar, but I never understood what the point of the clearinghouse was anyway. Who is the NCAA to dictate what classes an athlete must take to be eligible for collegiate sports?

Between the fifty states and international players, trying to figure out which players were taking real high school-type classes and which were taking online and mail-order ones that began with the question "Can you draw me?" would be insane without some central place to figure it all out.

If you want to argue that its another piece of the NCAA hypocracy (not a misspelling), I won't complain. But in a better collegiate sports universe it does serve an important purpose.

[adamwolff11]

Some quotes from Len:

It has been a dream of mine to come to the United States to play college basketball. In Ukraine we do not get to watch much NCAA basketball, but the first time I saw Maryland play was a memorable one. I saw a video of Maryland playing Duke in Comcast Center in 2010 season. I could not believe the atmosphere - 18,000 people, excitement and fans running onto the floor after the victory. It was unbelievable.

Coach Turgeon brings a new start to Maryland. For me, this is a brand new beginning as well. So, we are in it together. Coach shared with me his vision for the team, and how he could see me fitting in to his system. It felt good, like the right place for me to be. I can see myself coming in and contributing right away and helping our team compete in a great league. I'm extremely excited to be a Terp.

[ChuckS]

I thought I also heard them mention he would not be eligible to play until January. Still, a great and much needed sign if even he's just an ACC capable body that can give you 15-20 minutes a game.

[Hallas]

Between the fifty states and international players, trying to figure out which players were taking real high school-type classes and which were taking online and mail-order ones that began with the question "Can you draw me?" would be insane without some central place to figure it all out.

If you want to argue that its another piece of the NCAA hypocracy (not a misspelling), I won't complain. But in a better collegiate sports universe it does serve an important purpose.

My opinion on this is "who cares." A student that took mail-order classes wouldn't be able to pass regular college classes. Audit their coursework while at the university they're attending, not their coursework for high school.

[BaltimoreTerp]

My opinion on this is "who cares." A student that took mail-order classes wouldn't be able to pass regular college classes. Audit their coursework while at the university they're attending, not their coursework for high school.

Should there be any NCAA qualifications for admission?

[Lucky Jim]

My opinion on this is "who cares." A student that took mail-order classes wouldn't be able to pass regular college classes. Audit their coursework while at the university they're attending, not their coursework for high school.

Anybody who studies administrative agencies will tell you that it's a million times easier to be a gatekeeper, guarding the point of entry, than it is to regulate once "entry" has been given. You try to do both, but the resources should be way-up-front on that.