Terps’ Long Aronhalt conditioned to contribute off the bench

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Logan Aronhalts decision to use his final year of basketball eligibility at Maryland meant an opportunity to play in a power conference and pursue a graduate degree in exercise physiology.

The chance to tie the two together provides an even greater reward for him.

It isnt hard to find the former Albany guard in Comcast Center. If he isnt practicing or hoisting shots early on the morning of a game, hes probably huddled in the team weight room adjacent to the arena floor with Kyle Tarp, Marylands director of basketball performance.

When Im not in class, Im usually over here learning from him, said Aronhalt, who hopes to go into the strength and conditioning field once his career is complete. Sometimes I call him Professor Kyle because he has so much information.

For all the fulfillment the move to College Park provided, the basketball element also is important. And Aronhalt offered a reminder Saturday of just what he can provide the Terrapins (4-1), who visit Northwestern (6-0) in Tuesdays ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Aronhalt scored 12 points, all on 3-pointers, in Marylands 70-53 defeat of Georgia Southern. He also logged a season-high 15 minutes just a day after coach Mark Turgeon described how it was unfair for a player whose outside shooting is his best skill to have little chance at developing an in-game rhythm.

[Theres] lot of pressure when you dont play a lot and you come in and get an open look to make it, Turgeon said. I was happy for him. He really helped our team the other night. I thought he guarded better, and thats the biggest hiccup with him is defensively being able to do it. If he can do it defensively, I know he can help us offensively.

When Aronhalt agreed in May to join the Terps, his role projected to be larger. He scored 1,100 points in three seasons at Albany and averaged 13.8 points a year ago for the Great Danes. Maryland needed a perimeter shooter, and Aronhalt seemed like a solid fit as a reserve guard for the rebuilt Terps.

The projected rotation changed considerably when Dez Wells, who signed with Maryland in September, was declared immediately eligible a few days before the season opener. There would be an effect down the roster, with Aronhalt seeing his time sliced considerably as he became the fifth guard.

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Terps' Long Aronhalt conditioned to contribute off the bench

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