A Tough Team to Watch

A Tough Team to Watch

I did not go to the Maryland-Wake game Tuesday night in College Park, but I did watch on TV. And while I watched, I was treated to the harsh commentary of Billy Packer, who basically said, repeatedly, "Both teams stink."

Now I am not a big Billy Packer fan. But I do have to give it to him for not holding back one iota in saying just how crappy both Maryland and Wake looked and played Tuesday night. Yes, it’s great to finally get an ACC win. But, no, it’s not great when your only healthy point guard throws passes that would be classified as "lazy" in a rec league game. Greivis Vasquez can be unbelievably exciting and effective, but equally maddening. He carves through a defense and makes a running floater looks easy; then he hoists up a shot 10-seconds into the shot clock with Md. leading by 10 and 3 minutes left.

Um Greivis, is anyone home? Hello?

I didn’t take direct notes, but here's what I think Packer said:

• Maryland and Wake exhibited the lowest basketball IQ of any ACC teams he’s seen in recent memory.
• Neither teams showed any discipline or court awareness.
• He saved some of his harshest words for Vasquez. Even though GV led everyone in scoring with 22, he had eight turnovers and passed the ball with all the crispness of spaghetti. Packer basically said the guy didn’t belong at point guard.

Here’s a link to the Sun’s blog about Packer’s harsh commentary: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mediumwell/blog/2008/01/billy_and_the_terps.html

But at least Maryland won. At least Maryland didn’t do what Wake did; which was continue to shoot threes when it was obvious they weren’t going to make many. Wake started 2 for 14 from 3. They finished 5 for 30.

Is that good?

Packer was basically beside himself as Wake heaved up one brick after another. He wondered aloud when they might realize they couldn’t shoot. It never happened.

(Quick side note – just my opinion, but I don't think the current 3 distance is good for college basketball. Most teams love to shoot them and most teams aren’t good at it. They should move the line out to the pro distance and I bet we’d see better team play. I realize I just sounded very old.)

OK, let’s get into some rapid fire Terps basketball tidbits:

Better third guard – Adrian Bowie or Cliff Tucker?

I was on the Tucker bandwagon all year until the last two games when Adrian Bowie has been fantastic. He plays sticky D, finishes well at the basket, and gives the team a decent ball handling option with Hayes nursing the bum ankle. It appears that Bowie can’t really shoot from beyond the foul line (or at the foul line), but that’s never stopped Maryland shooting guards before. Bowie busted out for 12 points in 28 minutes at Va. Tech and had 10 points in 32 minutes against Wake.

Tucker, meanwhile, has had some nice moments, but right now Bowie is the better third guard.

Let’s Look on the Bright Side

Maryland has won five of six and they’d have a six game winning streak if not for the last minute meltdown at Va. Tech. That hurt. This is not exactly an original sentiment, but how in the world Vaszuez thinks jacking up an off-balance three is the right play when you’re down by one with 10 seconds left is beyond me. It’s plays like that that keep him from being a great player.

But don't spend too much time beating up on GV, Terps faithful. Put it this way, they ain't going ANYWHERE if that guy doesn't play well. As dicey as he is, he can really bring it sometimes (remember the near triple-double AT Duke last year?).

And how about some kudos for Bambale Osby? The big fella does more with ability than anyone else on the team. He ain't smooth, but he is effective and he gives you all he's got.

Next up: Maryland has to go to UNC Satuday (eek), then they take an 8-day break before hosting Duke. Yes, these are tough games and Maryland will probably lose. But at least you get the chance to avenge the horrible losses to American and Ohio by playing teams in the top 10. Or in the case of UNC – the undefeated #1.

Which brings me to wondering, is there any chance Md. makes the tournament? They’ve lost to VCU, American, and Ohio, and needed OT to beat Northeastern; but they are playing better the last three weeks. I say it takes at least 9-7 in the ACC to get there, and you might need 10-6 and you might then conclude that that is not happening.

GA Show Episode #2 to Air Saturday night:

In case you missed it, I have a weekend radio show on Baltimore’s ESPN 1300. If you go to the website, www.espn1300.com, you can click on the link at the top to listen to the broadcast.

On Saturday night, we are on from 6:30 to 9. I will be joined by co-host Ron Herbst, who has no real reason to be on the radio; though he does have a very natural and delightful on-air personality. Guest segments will include:

The Doug Neustadt Report (Neustadt represents NBA and European pro basketball players and does a fantastic Hubie Brown impersonation).

The Matt Bracken Recruiting Report – Matt is a blogger for the Sun -- www.baltimoresun.com/recruiting -- who covers local recruiting.

The KDK Entertainment Report – Top 5 Stories in Celebrity Gossip for the Week

Andre Miller Fitness Challenge – On-Air Workout with the World’s most unconventional personal trainer.

Random Joe

Just when you forgot he was still in the NBA, Joe Smith has found his game in Chicago. He’s starting for the underachieving Bulls and averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds. But recently, Joe has kicked it up a notch -- http://www.nba.com/playerfile/joe_smith/game_by_game_stats.html

He had a monster 31 point, 11 rebound night against Portland (led by Steve Blake at the point) in early January, and in his last eight games he’s averaging 18 and 7. Go ‘head Joe!

In more depressing news, Juan Dixon is getting almost no playing time in Toronto. Even with T.J. Ford on the D.L., Raptors coach Sam Mitchell barely lets the all-time leading scorer in Maryland hoops see the court. It’s a shame. Here's hoping Juan finds a better situation soon.

Terps Nation #2 - Maybe They Don't Stink?

Hey, guess what? I have a blog. Still have to put in a lot of content from past years and published articles, but I'm working on it and at least now I don't have to send out my ramblings through mass email. Please post a quick comment if you read this so I can get a sense of who is checking it out.

On to more important matters.

What have we learned so far about he 2007-2008 edition of the Maryland men's basketball team:

If they don't play with intensity, they can play as poorly as any team in the past 30 years of the program, suffering unbelievably embarrassing home losses to mediocre teams.

As Gist and Vasquez go, so goes Maryland. Those two are the only seriously talented guys on the squad. The rest are OK, but not one of them is an impact player. Gist and Vasquez are impact players and when they are down, Maryland stinks. When they are up, however, the Terps can be, I think, pretty good. How good? Time will tell. 8-8 in the league might be possible if those guys keep it turned on. If they don't? Uh oh. Could get embarrassing.

Of the freshmen, I like Cliff Tucker the best. He seems to have the most "pop" to his game, where he makes an impact with energy and athleticism. The rest of them? Who are they? Braxton Dupree is OK, he's a big body, but seems pretty raw. Then you have Shane Walker, Dino Gregory, and Adrian Bowie. I get more excited when Dave Neal takes the court. Seriously.

No one seems to care all that much. You hear any buzz at all about this team or program? I don't. The seats aren't filled, even in the student sections, even before the ridiculous losses to American and Ohio. People just aren't that into it. Shame of it is that we are only one season removed from a really good year. Terps were 10-6 in the ACC last year, but the momentum was killed by that opening round loss in the ACC tourney to Miami and then getting beat by Butler in the round of 32 made it one loss shy of a great year.

But here we are at 10-6 heading into the teeth of the ACC schedule. That's the good and bad news. Actually it's only good news. You get a chance to play against the best and see if you're any good. You can redeem yourself from a home loss to American with a win at Duke or Carolina. It's a longshot but at least it's out there.

Maybe the losses to American and Ohio (and don't forget, Terps needed OT to beat Northeastern) were just a funk? That's the theory put forth by BMag editor and Turtle devotee M. Weiss. More like a really big funk, like a funkity, funky, funk. But the good news is that Terps are playing better ball of late, with four wins in a row, including one that almost qualifies as impressive with a blowout of a decent Holy Cross team.

What's next? At Va. Tech on Saturday -- don't forget to vote in my first poll up top -- and a chance to keep some momentum going. I have no idea who plays for Va. Tech other than that wiry forward with the longish dreads whose mom goes to every game and gets all kinds of camera time. OK, I just looked it up, his name is Deron Washington. And they have a point guard from Baltimore, Malcolm Delaney.

Tip is 2 p.m. and at least the game is on Raycom and not ESPNU, which I don't have. After the game, please ignore the NFL playoffs going on and tune into espn 1300 in Baltimore for the first ever GA radio show, which will air 5-7 this week, and perhaps never again if I put my foot in it enough times.

Until next time Turtle nation,

GA

First Greg Abel Show to Air on Saturday 1/12

It's official. I'm hosting a 2-hour talk show on Baltimore's ESPN 1300 each and every Saturday for the next few months. The timing moves around a bit, but for the next two weeks, we will air from 5-7 p.m. (Jan. 12 and Jan. 19).

Please tune in.

Terps Nation Running Diary - 12.12.07 vs. Ohio

OK, gonna try a running diary edition of Terps Nation tonight. I have tried it a few times, never felt it was even worth sending out, but here goes nothing. It’s tip off time at md’s Comcast Center, 8 p.m. Md. is in the home “shirt is too tight, pants are too loose” white unis that look, in person, ridiculous, but maybe that’s just me.

Playing the Ohio Bobcats, decked out in green, just “Ohio.” Not exactly a basketball factory; Gary Trent went there if you remember him, decent power forward who stuck around the nba a few years. The Bobcats are pretty good this year, only 2 losses, both by 2 points, on the road at Temple and at Holy Cross.

Looks like that’s Steve Buckhantz doing play by play tonight.

I’m up in the media section behind the bucket; deep left corner. I am to the media section what Jerome Burney is to the Md team right now; just an unknown guy trying to mix in. Md. controls the tip to Braxton Dupree, who is doing a poor imitation of Lonny Baxter. Second pass of the game is a turnover. That’s nice.

That place is about half full, this team isn’t inspiring sellouts just yet; Leon Williams first bucket for Ohio, he is going to be a problem. The big fella is from Baltimore, and he looks 30 years old, big, ripped, strong.

I’m sitting next to the student radio team by the way, bless his heart, the play by play man is wearing a suit, He’s got a snazzy red shirt with a blue tie, practicing for his future first job in Allentown, or maybe Harrisonburg. I think Harrisonburg is the smallest market that actually has a TV station.

What’s going on in the game? Oh, 1741 left to play, 4-4, Braxton Dupree on the jam after a nice feed from Hayes.

I like sitting next to the college play by play guy, feel like I have my own little personal radio announcer just two seats away. Lord knows no one else is listening to him.

But that’s not what it’s about anyway, I shouldn’t make fun, this kid is into it, he’s pretty good, and getting great experience. Maybe he’ll start in Des Moines.

OK, back to back 3s from Ohio and real quick it’s 10-4 bobcats. I think Md. is going to lose tonight, they are just not that good. Another pull up jumper and it’s 12-4 ohio. The coach who replaced Michael Adams for Maryland is upset, he’s staring down the players as they walk to the huddle and they are thinking, ‘who is that guy staring at us?’

Let’s take a reset peoeple, 1612 left in the half, Ohio hasn’t missed a shot according to student radio guy, and it’s 12-4.

Gary inserts Cliff Tucker for Osbourne and Osby for Dupree, that was quick.

We’ve got our first tv timeout, 12-6 in eventual winner Ohio’s favor.

OK, here comes the stats girl, kind of a pudgy number, last year’s stats hander-outer was, shall we say, more talented?

Hayes just missed a wide open 3 from the top of the key. I like him and all, but JJ Redick he is not. That’s all I’m sayin.

Ohio just put in either a light skinned black guy or a white guy with a really weird looking curly afro.

OOOH, Tucker with a great drive into the lane to draw the D and a dish to Gist for a big jam, I like this Tucker.

Alright, we got 1320 in the first half, its 12-8 Ohio, Md. is playing good D now, of course as I say that, some guy named Jerome throws in an off balance left handed hook shot.

The Turtle is wearing a Santa hat.

Hayes just missed another wide open 3. Mark Price he is not.

Did I mention I hosted the radio pre-game show tonight? My first gig since the Butler loss in the tournament last year. The sports director decided he wanted the job and the station manager liked me but said it was in the guy’s contract if he wanted the gig so there wasn’t much I could do other than pay moderate attention to the team and back him up, which is what I’m doing tonight. He is on vacation.

Horrible pass by Vasquez right to an ohio guy, they come down and miss, then md converts on the other end quickly, its’ 14-10 and ohio calls a TO. OK, md might win, but this team ain’t blowing anyone out.

I’ve been typing non stop for a while, I’m taking a break, it’s 8:22 p.m.

My man Jerome Tillman, gotta give him his full name props, just dunked really hard on Osby, a tomahawk over his fro, “tomafro?”

We’ve got a TV timout and it’s 16-10 ohio.

OK there’s 10 minutes left in the first half, it’s half past 8 and the joint is still only about half full. The locals aren’t exactly coming out in droves to see the 6-4 Terps. Cont me among the people who are into this team, however. They aren’t great of course, but there’s some freshman who might develop and ultimately get more minutes, and at the very least, at least we don’t have to watch Ikene Ebekwe shoot free throws anymore.

That said, he could play some D.

How am I doing so far? I am no Bill Simmons but I’ll gut it out. I’ve tried this a bunch of times in the past and always punted about 10 minutes in. I’m hanging in there til the end baby.

Speaking of Bill Simmons, who is great, and reinvented modern sports writing in my opinion, everyone thinks he also invented the whole real-time running diary thing, but I have to give proper credit to Norman Chad, who was doing it when Bill was dating cheerleaders (get the reference? Here’s a hint, “You don’t buy me out, I buy YOU out.”)

Hey, I have to give credits to the refs this year too for finally calling some walks. Not sure if anyone else has noticed, but they are definitely calling the shuffle the feet before you dribble move more this year than ever.

Nice alley-oop from osby to gist, it’s 16-12 Ohio, 8:55 left.

An “emphatic dunk” says our student broadcaster. Just took a quick peek into the rafters and here are the jerseys I see, Blake, Baxter, Dixon,

Wait, quick aside, Osby just traveled in the lane for the second time in the last 2 minutes, Keith Booth probably showed him that move.

OK, back to the rafters, then Francis, Booth, Smith., Williams…

And I just wanna say, “FRANCIS?” Steve francis played one season at Maryland, yeah, he was great, but you just don’t hnag the jersey of a guy who stuck around for one season, then refused to take millions of dollars from Vancouver and demanded a trade to Houston, then has proceeded to have a very mediocre nba career. I think the school says they hang the jersey of any all American and that’s why it’s up there, not retired, honored, but I’m saying there should be a caveat for a one and done guy. You think Coach K. has a William Avery jersey hanging in their place? I don’t.

We have a Fridge sighting. He is sitting in front of the press section and I’m certain he is going to walk out during halftime to encourage our great Maryland fans to travel to the Emerald Bowl to see the 6-6 Terps take on Oregon State.

If I was single and 10 years younger, I think I would go to SF to see that game on Dec. 28. But I’m 37 with 2 kids and if I tell Jennifer I’m leaving town for a few days to go to the Emerald Bowl, she would rightfully tell me I’m a loser. That said, it would be fun. Anyone want to go to San Francisco? We could pull this thing off in 36 hours.

What’s going on in the game anyway. Oh, it’s 21-14 Ohio, Leon Williams just completed a 3-point play for our eventual winner, Ohio University.

“Good court vision by Vasquez” according to radio guy leads to a quick Milbourne basket, Terps are within 5.

Did I mention Fridge is fat? In real life he looks like two people, neither of them skinny. He’s fat. How fat is he? His metal folding chair just screamed for a sub. He’s fat I tell you.

Md is in a dog fight here, Osby just did a whirling spin move and missed.

Nice running floater by Hayes cuts it to 23-18. He’s no Matt Kovarik either.

We’ve got 3:30 left in the half and it’s 25-18 Ohio.

Official timeout.

Crowd just got as loud as it’s been all night. Osby block? Gist jam? No, an 8 year-old just won a $50 gift certificate to the beltway plaza mall for showing off some nifty dance moves.

Terps dance team is on the court, doing their thing to the pep band’s version “get this groove, sompn’ sompn sopm; I, it’s allright, oughta sight…” What is that song?

Back to live action.

One of Maryland’s new freshman is in; Dino Gregory, he looks OK, just like the rest of the freshman class. He is no Joe Smith a la 1995.

Hayes just missed a pull-up J, he is no Juan Dixon. Gary told him to be more assertive and he is doing it, now he just needs to be more accurate.

It’s 27-18 Ohio and Gary calls a quick TO, 2:38 left in the half.

Osby throws it away after the TO, that couldn’t have been the play Gary called.

Gist tries a 3 and hits all backboard. He is no Rodney Elliott.

Ouch, a 3 from Ohio on the next possession and our third winner from a non-conference opponent in the history Comcast center is up, 30-18.

Milbourne answers with a 3, it’s 30-21. Quick steal and layin and terps draw to 30-23.

Under a minute left. I gotta get the wireless internet password from the md tech guy. There’s like 30 people along press row with laptops watching and I guess reporting on this game. How many people does it take to report on the Maryland – Ohio game?

Hayes just missed a wide open 3 from the right wing. He’s no Johnny Rhodes.Wait, maybe he is.

Last 15 seconds, ohio ball, up by 9. Terps get a steal but Gist gives it right back, and Mr. whitefro chucks in a little jumper. YOUR bobcats are winning 34-23 at the half; this one might not even be close.

Ah, the builid-up for the fridge appearance begins. It’s 8:49 p.m. and on the video board begins the md. football highlight reel. YOUR 6-6 Terps baby, bowl BOUND. I will try to transcribe the whole speech:

“Thank you everyone, I’d like to thank everyone for their support this year. Our fans, especially our student body, you were great. I am also going to ask for your support at the Emerald Bowl out in San Francisco on Dec. 28^th, we need your hep. Go Terps.”

I may have missed a little but that was the gist it.

He’s walking back to his seat now. Someone should tell Fridge that pleats aren’t a great look on his build.

I’m going to take a break, hit the media room and eat some cookies, back in a few minutes. 8:50 p.m.

OK, back. It’s 9:02 p.m. Went with a sugar cookie and a cup of coffee for the halftime snack. Thought about double dipping and grabbing a chocolate chip also but I am carrying a few extra lbs right now and exerted an ounce of self control. Really wanted that second cookie though. You should see the media guys pile in for the cookies at halftime by the way. They put out two really big plates of chocolate chip, chocolate fudge chip, sugar and oatmeal raisin. Oatmeal raisin and sugar are always the last to go but believe me, they go.

Got the halftime stats sitting here for me when I got back. James gist is our leading Terps with 8; Hayes is 1-5 with 2 points, oh for 3 from 3. Milbourne has 5 and Osby has 4.

Md had 10 TO’s to Ohio’s 9. Glaring stat of the half is that Ohio just shot it really well, 14-24 from the field and 3-8 from 3.

We’re back to live action and Terps start with a dunk by Milbourne and cut it to 9. I wonder if Gary yelled during the halftime talk.

Vasquez comes out clapping and screaming like a wild man, he is fired up. (quick note – I wrote this whole thing in real time and only went back this morning to clean up typos. When I got home from the game last night around 12:30, turned on Comcast and saw the lowlights and saw Vasquez with the crazy facial hair. Couldn’t see that from my seat. Wow.)

OOOH, 3 by Milbourne after a 2 by Ohio and the crowd is trying to get into it.

Osby starts the second half for Dupree, that whole Dupree starting thing needs to stop, Osby is better.

Terrapin sports radio girl is trying to find my producer, Steve, and he is AWOL, she is trying to tell him that fridge wants to do a radio show to promote the Emerald Bowl. Steve eventually shows up and they work it out.

Back to the game, it’s 38-28 Ohio with Milbourne at the line, he just missed 2 straight free throws, but Ohio is called for a lane violation so he gets a chance to miss 3 in a row but gets this one… which reminds of the old 3 to make 2 rule in the nba, anyone remember that? Best players in the world get 3 to make 2? Whose idea was that?

Steal by the Terps on the inbounds, it’s 38-29, can they make a run?

Just got a call from Herbst.

Him: “are we losing?”

Me “It’s 40-29”

Call drops. Cell coverage at Comcast isn’t just bad, it’s almost non-existent. That said, it was poetic drop call.

Back to the action, we’ve got 1718 left in this game, an eventual loss.

Terps call timeout, losing 42-29. I’m watching Gary in the huddle and he seems calm enough. I think he really likes this team’s effort, they just aren’t that great.

This just in, the men’s game vs. Delaware has been moved to 6 p.m. to avoid a conflict with the Emerald Bowl on ESPN, which begins at 8:30.

It’s now time for our Tenacity Shell Shuffle.

Here comes stat girl. She told me during the half that she has finals tomorrow. College.

The shell is in Terrapin #2 by the way, the crowd roars. I have gas. I hope college student radio guy isn’t distracted, that was bad.

I just realized that the college radio team is 3 guys but only one seems to be talking. The middle guy just said something I think. They are all well dressed.

Wow, it’s 44-29 ohio, this is bad.

15:55 left, waiting for the tv TO.

Gary is calling play 2, and Hayes throws a bad pass in the lane looking for Gist, first hint of a few boos from the crowd and md calls a :30 TO to protect the ball after a scramble.

Redshirt freshman Jerome Burney is in the game for md, he is wearing #32 and looks a little like Joe Smith but, um, he is no Joe Smith.

Official timeout after a Vasquez turnover. 15:30 left in the game. I just let another one go. Maybe it’s the coffee.

This is tiring, great dish by Vasquez to Tucker, it’s is 44-31, then ohio walks, Md. has some life, they need to go on a run, still plenty of time, 14;49 left.

Hayes missed another 3 a few possessions ago I think he’s gunshy now but he needs to keep shooting I think, he can shoot, just not tonight so far.

Vasquez misses a wide open 3.

I think the most entertaining guy in the building is the student radio play by play man, he has energy. Osby misses a chippy. This is not going well.

Hey, have I told you about the food thing? Wow, here comes fridge walking toward his seat. He is so big that if you saw him randomly on the street, you would do a double take and think to yourself, that guy is really big. Can’t be healthy.

Ohio just got like 3 or 4 offensive rebounds culminating in a frustration foul by Gist, his fourth. Didn’t even realize he was in foul trouble. Her comes dino gregory, maybe he’s the answer.

What time is it? I bet simmons uses a program where it writes the time when he types, he can’t always look at the clock. Wait, I’ve been looking at my phone each time, much easier to just stare down at the computer, it’s 9:25 and Vasquez just missed another 3, followed by tucker missing a lay-up after, as my college radio friend said “a beautiful outlet pass by Osby.” Then he went with, “Holy cow, everything going wrong for the terps right now.”

48-31 Ohio with 11 minutes left.

There’s a 3 from Hayes. Man, did Md. need that.

Holy cow again, no one picks up Tillman and he posterizes Osby for the second time of the night. College radio guy just mouthed “Wow” to me. We’ve got a rapport of silent facial gestures going now. Tech on Tillman for too much celebration. Maybe he just realized his team is killing Maryland in Maryland.

Just had a little chit-chat with student radio guy. I introduced myself and told him he’s doing a nice job, which he is. His name is Joey. He said Ohio came into the game shooting 50 percent from the field, which I did not know. Then said, “how does Maryland let a 6-6, 240-pound guy dribble the length of the floor and dunk?” I didn’t know either. This kid is going places.

10:52 left in the game and Hayes is shooting 2 for the tech on the Ohio guy who celebrated a little too much, he misses the first and makes the second. He’s no Greg Manning. I need some Gas X at this point.

3 by Vasquez draws it to 50-38 with 10:22 to go, I ask again, can the Terps make a run?

Vasquez misses a long 3 after making one; he is trying to bring md back but we’ve got 8:10 to go and Ohio with a 10 point lead. Their guard pulls up for a little j to push it back to 13 and we’re inside 8. Have I mentioned that Ohio is going to win?

I hope I’m wrong of course. Hayes comes down after an Ohio miss and nails his second three, he’s got to keep shooting. It’s 54-44 with 7:04 left. I’m not saying it can’t happen.

Oh, forgot to complete the food-gate story. Media guys are none too happy about recent decision by Terps sports information to take away the free pre-game meal for games that start at 9 during the week or take place on weekends, with rationale that you have time to buy your own dinner for games at those times. Higher ups threw the day to day media guy under the bus by making him send an email to the regulars saying that in order to exert some “reasonable sanity” to our budget we are taking away some pre-game meals. This did not go over well with the masses, who enjoy dining hall food on occasion, it’s free and brings them back to when they had their very own dining hall food. They did feed us tonight, it was burgers and pasta salad. But by the time I got there, they had run out of burgers and the SID had to go out to the concessions and buy personal pizzas, so I had a papa john’s and it was bad, but it was free, because this game started at 8. If the game started at 9, I would not have been fed. Understand the system?

Back to the action … ohio is killing md on offensive boards in the second half, not sure what the toal is … what I just heard Joey say that Ohio stud, the Baltimore native Leon Williams, has 13 boards. Wow.

We’ve got a 10-point game, 56-46 with 547 to go and Joey says md is showing signs of life.

7^th foul of the half on Ohio, and Braxton Dupree goes to the line, misses the one and one but terps get the rebound. After a missed 3 by tucker, gist gets called for his 5^th foul, an over the back, and he is back to the bench for the night. The James Gist era isn’t as fabulous as I’d hoped it would be. I like him a lot of course, very good player, sometimes great, but not a superstar and md. desperately needs a superstar.

It’s back up to 12. and terps are running out of time, Vasquez hits a 3 to cut it to 58-49 with 4:30 to play, Md. hasn’t been any closer all half.

Wait just a second here people… Md. forces a TO and I fart again (what did I eat? Oh yeah) and Adrian Bowie throws down a dunk. We have a 7-point game with 4:11 to play. No more coffee for me.

Walking violation and Md. will have the ball with 3:49 to go, down by 7. It ain’t over yet.

Hayes misses a wide open three that would have cut the lead to 4. He’s no (you pick).

OK, it’s crunch time, let’s take a look at who Gary has on the floor for this crucial stretch. Gist fouled out, so Dino Gregory is in for him, with Hayes and Vasquez in the backcourt, Cliff Tucker on the wing (not milbourne) and osby in the middle.

Crazy runner by Vasquez, the lead is 5, I think md might win. I’m just sayin. Ohio is starting to feel a little pressure, keeps turning the ball over, I think it’s getting to them.

Vasquez just tried to make a 10 out of 10 level difficulty 3 off the dribble and a spin … guess what? Missed. Are you shocked? I like the guy but he’s not Magic Johnson.

That said, Ohio has gone cold, Terps have the ball and 1:40 left, Vasquez misses a layuip, gets the ball back, but then Vasquez charges on the baseline and gives it back.

ANOTHER turnover by Ohio, they are trying to let md win, it’s 58-53 with 1:30 to go; Tucker is fouled on the baseline, and he’s going to the line for a 1 and 1. Joey just said Tucker was ranked something or over by Rivals coming into the season, the front end of the one and one isn’t even close, Ohio ball.

Missed J by Hayes but a tip-in by Gregory and it’s 58-55 Ohio, they are currently choking. 50.9 left. Md only has 5 fouls so far, so they are going to need to foul twice to put Ohio in the bonus.. Do you foul here? If you play out the shot clock and they miss, you are down by 3 with 15 seconds left, you gotta foul right?

Gary is just playing the D, they try to get a steal for 20 seconds, doesn’t work, then foul away from the ball, that’s the 6^th. So I guess now they’ll try for a steal and then send ohio to the line, it’s the right move, wish they hadn’t waited so long but they were trying to trap for a steal.

Student section is about 1/3 full by the way.

29.2 left, Ohio calls a TO on the inbound. Just did a word count check, we are bearing down on 3700. Anyone reading this nonsense? My fingers hurt. I’ve been typing about nothing for 2 hours. Gas has subsided. I think.

Joey just thanked the listeners on WMUC sports, taking time out on their Wednesday to take in Terps basketball. I’m guessing only his suitemates and mom are listening but the kid is good. He’s no Johnny Holliday of course.

OK, 27.5 left, and Ohio’s Jerome Tillman, Mr. Osby facial, is at the line for 1/1.

First one is a swish, that was big. He misses #2, here we go. Vasquez down the court, fakes a pass, takes a 3 and front rims it, he’s 5 of 16 on the night. I know this b/c I just looked on Joey’s real-time boxscore laptop.

Ohio makes 2 free throws and they are up six . Hayes airball and there’s 7.3 seconds left. Ohio bench is pretty happy right now. Md is not going to foul, Ohio holds the ball and that’s it, 61-55 Bobcats. I thought it might work out this way. This team… they are no 2002 Terps.

Hey, best news is that it’s only 10:01 p.m., I go on the air in about 30 minutes, might get home before midnight if I’m lucky.

I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at a running diary.

GA

Written in real-time from 8-10 p.m. on 12.12.07

Terence Morris Update for Baltimore Sun - October 2007

The Baltimore Sun
October 19, 2007 Friday
FINAL EDITION
EX-TERP GOING THE DISTANCE TO IMPRESS;
ISRAEL LATEST STOP IN MORRIS' ODYSSEY

BYLINE: Greg Abel, Special to The Sun

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 1E

LENGTH: 778 words

DATELINE: New York

New York -- His career on the brink of oblivion, Terence Morris took the first steps toward basketball revival in Jerusalem last winter.

The University of Maryland product, who helped the Terrapins reach the Final Four for the first time in 2001, bounced around the NBA and the NBA Development League and competed for a team in Greece over the past five years, playing sparingly.

In December 2006, his agent, Mike Kneisley of Washington-based The Neustadt Group, worked out a deal with Hapoel Jerusalem, a well-regarded Israeli club that was looking for a power forward for the remainder of the season. So off Morris went on his continuing basketball odyssey.

Morris started slowly but began turning heads with a few huge games - particularly against Israeli power Maccabi Tel Aviv - including a 17-rebound effort in the league championship game.

Fast forward to last week, and the Frederick native was back in the United States, laced up and decked out in Maccabi gold. The EuroLeague power signed him to a one-year deal, and he was at Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in an exhibition game. Morris is not back in the NBA but is expected to play a prominent role on a team highly regarded worldwide.

"It's just an opportunity," Morris said after the game, looking much like the lean, athletic forward who thrilled and frustrated Maryland fans during his four years in College Park.

Against the Knicks, Morris finished with 12 points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. He played much as he did at Maryland, disruptive on defense, dunking home baskets around the rim and looking at times like an NBA talent and at times as if he could use a shot of espresso.

Morris entered the national scene during his sophomore season, 1998-99, when he was named first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Teammate Steve Francis left for the NBA, but Morris elected to stay. The next two years, he played well but not spectacularly, and he was ultimately drafted in the second round, 34th overall by the Atlanta Hawks. A trade sent him to Houston, where he stuck for two years with the Rockets and still maintains his home.

For Morris, 28, this year is huge in terms of how his basketball career will play out, his agent said. After being cut in January 2006 by the Orlando Magic, the NBA market had dried up.

"Step one was putting him in a good situation with a decent team in Europe where he could get some minutes," Kneisley said. "He parlayed that. Step two is doing well with Maccabi. They are a powerhouse team. People pay attention to big teams in the EuroLeague."

Step three is next year. Morris has just a one-year deal in the "high six figures" according to The Neustadt Group, so his play this year will dictate whether he goes backward or forward, whether he can make the jump back to the NBA or sign with Macabbi or another big-time European club. If he plays below expectations, he could find himself looking for a job again.

But, without a doubt, the opportunity is there. In just the past few years, former Terp Sarunas Jasikevicius (now back in Europe with Panthinaikos in Greece), Maceo Baston (Toronto Raptors), and Anthony Parker (also with the Raptors) have jumped from Maccabi to the NBA.

This year, Maccabi features several prominent Americans, including Marcus Fizer, who had four productive seasons with the Chicago Bulls; Will Bynum, the guard from Georgia Tech; and Vonteego Cummings, a former All-Big East guard from Pittsburgh who has played in the NBA. The team plays its weekend games in Israel, but during the week it travels to play in the EuroLeague against the best clubs throughout Europe.

"To be honest with you, I'd never heard of Maccabi before I came over to Israel," Morris said. "But when people hear the name, they know it's big-time."

In just a few weeks of playing together, Fizer has been impressed with Morris. "He's extremely talented, just a beast on defense," Fizer said. "We really haven't tapped into his offensive skills yet, but we know he can shoot."

Being cast about overseas does have some advantages, even for Morris, a self-described homebody, who said his favorite activities are talking with friends, grabbing a bite to eat and watching movies. He has seen ancient Greece and said his most memorable trip was a dip in the Dead Sea.

When asked about his goals, however, Morris said he wouldn't mind settling in one place.

"Every year it's been a different place after the first two in Houston," he said. "I'm just trying to find a home and play somewhere I feel comfortable. I'd like it to be in the NBA, but if it's not in the NBA, it can be in Europe, too."