University of Maryland men's basketball media guides

152 Pages·1996·10.8 MB·English

by  University of Maryland, College Park. Dept. of Intercollegiate Athletics

/
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
Welcome to the University of Maryland
Head
coach Gary
Williams, his staff
and team would like
to welcome you to Cole
Field House and hope to
make your visit as enjoyable
as possible. The Terrapin
basketball team is one of the
top all-around programs in
the nation and Cole is one of
the more excitingplaces in
the nation to watch and
cover a game. The Media
Relations staffis always
available to serve you and has
prepared this media guide as
a source ofinformation
which the news media can
refer to throughout the sea-
son. Welcome to Maryland. We
hope you will enjoy your visit.
BEFORE YOURVISIT Photographers should note thatthe Cole FAX MACHINE SERVICE
Game credentials are issued to accredit- Field House lights are colorbalanced for Fax machine service willbe available in
ed members ofthe media only. Workmg dayUght. An exposure setting of/250 at f2.8 the press room. Ifyou need any information
space in the press area of Cole is limited has beenfoundto workwell withASA 400 faxedtoyournewspaper, please submityour
and seats are expressly reserved for those film andnormal processing. Strobe lights requestto amemberofthe MediaRelations.
working on deadlme, with no exceptions. may be installed in Cole; but arrangements
Children and other non-workers are not must be made thoughthe Media Relations PRESS SEATING
allowed m the press area. Credentials Office two weeks in advance. Space for Press seating is located on thebasketball
should be ordered at least one week before strobe lights is available on a first come, floor in thenorthwest corner ofthe arena.
each game and are issued through the first served basis. The areais mannedby members ofthe
Media Relations Office. Requests for cre- Game Day Press Parkingis located onthe Media Relations Officethroughoutthe game.
dentials should be made in writing and on promenade ofthe football stadium. The park- The MediaRelations staffdesires to help the
letterhead stationery to Chuck Walsh, ing garage is best accessed fromthe Stadium mediabe as comfortable as possible during
Sports Information Director for Men's Drive entrance to campus. Access is via eachgame.
Basketball. If it is convenient for you to FAX press parking pass only and is available on
your request, you are welcome to do so. an extremelylimited basis. PHOTOGRAPHERS
The FAX number m the Media Relations The NCAA has established a policyto
Office IS [phone]. These requests are MEDIA WORKROOM control congestion mthe photography areas
accepted from Sports Editors and Sports A press workroomis availableforworking on the basketball court. Only photographers
Directors only. The credential requests media only atcourt level ofCole. The new on assignment are given photo passes
should be sent so that they reach the Media media workroom is locatedjustoffofthe along with members ofworking television
Relations Office at least one week prior to basketball courttoyourleft. Alimitednum- media. Admission to the court and the
the desired games. They are carefully ber oflong distance phone lines are available photo boxes is by photo pass only.
screened to insure good working conditions on afirst-come, first servebasis andrequire Photographers, both still and electronic
in the press area. When time permits, a a creditcardforbilling. must shoot from the baselines at the
working press pass and a parking pass will The room opens well before gametime Northwest (Maryland Bench end/directly in
be mailed. When this is not possible, they and media representatives are welcome to front ofpress seating) and Southeast (visit-
will be left at the Press Will Call entrance at make themselves comfortable. Food service ing bench) corners ofthe court.
the back door of Cole. The back door of is availabletothe media mthe press room as Photographers' floor access is governed by
Cole directly faces Byrd Stadium. apre-game meal is served buffet style. A Atlantic Coast Conference policy. Please
Photographers, too, should make their half-time andpost-game beverage service is note that only game photographers, no run-
credential requests at least one week also available. The pre-game buffetis avail- ners, assistants or producers, will have
in advance. Credential requests for able one hourbeforetip-off. access to the photography areas.
photography passes are welcome.
MARYLMIDBASKETBALL
MARYLAND MEDIA RELATIOHS
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE MEDIA SERVICES MailingAddress
P.O.Box295
WEEKLYTELECONFERENCE CoUegePark, MD 20742-0295
BeginningthefirstTuesdayinJanuary and continuing eachweekthroughthe endof ShippingAddress
the season, theAtlantic Coast Conferencewillholdaweeklytelephonepress conference Room 1112
featuring allnine league coaches beginning at 11 a.m. ColeFieldHouse
beEgamcnhincgoawcihthwilCllebmesaovnaiHleabaldeCtooafcurhniRsihckcoBamrmneenstsanadncdotnatkienuqiunegstiinoanlsphfaobre1t0icmailnourtdeesrby CCoalmlpeguesPDarrikv,eMD20740
school. GaryWilliams is available from 11:40-11:50. MainOfficePhone: [phone]
Theweeklypress conference, throughthe services ofDaromePhone Service in OfficeFax: [phone]
Alexandria, Va., canbe accessedby calling [phone]. Theteleconference wiUbe SportsInformationDirector
replayedinits entiretyfor 24 hours foUowtngthe conclusion ofthe originalpress confer- forMen'sbasketballrChuckWalsh
ence. Please contact BrianMorrisonoftheACC Office at [phone]forfurther infor- HOfofmiceePPhhoonnee:: ((330011))389104--97607615
mation.
AssistantDirector:TriciaHarris
CONFERENCE STATISTICS OfficePhone: [phone]
TheACC offers up-to-date statistics onadailybasisthroughoutthe season. Theyare HomePhone: [phone]
accessible bycomputermodem everyafternoon after 3 p.m. The numberfortheACC AssistantDirector:DaveGell
ComputerBulletinBoardis [phone]. Some helpfulhints: (1) hst 80 characters per OfficePhone: [phone]
hne onthe screen, (2) Ust 24 lines perdisplaypage. Forfurtherinformationplease contact HomePhone: [phone]
Ross MasonatShelbySystems at [phone]. AdministrativeAssistant: NicoleHawkins
Students: DanLyons.JoshHerman, AndyKiauss,
CONFERENCE FAXBACK DaveO'Brian,JeffStauffer
Basketball statistics, standings, notes andquotes foraUnine leagueteams andthe con- DIRECTIONS TO COLE FIELD HOUSE
ference as awhole are available 24 hours a dayviathe ACC FaxBackservice.
Members ofthe media canreceivereleases and statistics ontheirownfaxmachinesby OnCampus-UniversityCoUege
dialingformthe handset oftheirfaxmachine, andchoosingfrom amenuthe schooland ConferenceCenter 301.985.7310
sporttheywishtoreceive. A catalog ofdocuments andcorrespondingcodenumbers as BGersetenWbeesltteMranrrMiaortytlandInn 330011..444714..32780000
wellasthe FaxBacknumber canbeobtainedbycallingtheACC MediaRelations Officeat GreenbeltHolidayIim 301.982.7000
[phone]. CoUegeParkHoUdayInn 301.345.6700
CoUegeParkComfortSuites 301.441.8110
DIRECTIONS TO COLE FIELD HOUSE
Photographers are also welcome to shoot FromBaltimoreandNorth:Interstate95southto
from the photo deck on the West side of Exit25B, CoUegePark/U.S.Route 1 South.After
Cole. Access to the photo deck is from the approximatelyonemUetakearighthandexitoffof
concourse level opposite the team benches. U.S. 1 ontoMarylandRoute 193West. Gotwotraffic
Photographerpositions are at the complete USgthatdsiutmoSDtnavdeiuamndDnCvoel.eMFiaekldeHaoluesftetiusrnononytoourright.
discretion ofthe basketball game officials
andthe Media Relations Office AT ALL FromBaltimore/WashingtonInternationalAirport:
Interstate 195WesttoInterstate95South.Travelto
TIMES. Failure to comply withtheir direc- exit25BandfoUowtheabovedirectionstoCole
tions wiU result in expulsion for the arena. FieldHouse,
FromWashingtonNationalAirport:Interstate395
IN-SEASONINTERVIEWPOLICY NorthuntUitterminatesatNewYorkAvenue.
AHMarylandplayers andHead Coach MakeanghtontoNewYorkAvenueandexitat
GaryWUhams wUl be available for interviews MarylandRoute295(BalttmoreA/Vashington
withaccreditedmembers ofthe media P(Garrekewnabye)l.tERxoiatda)taMnadryfloaUnodwRsoturtaeigh1t93foWretshtreertules
throughoutthe season. ALL INTERVIEW toStadiumDnve.
REQUESTS mustbe made throughthe Media
FromWashington/RichmondSouth:Interstate95
Relations Office, contacting ChuckWalsh. NorthuntUexit25B, CollegePark/U.S, Route 1 South.
Playerinterviews are conductedbeforeprac- TaketheabovedirectionstoColeFieldHouse.
ticeinthe mediaworkroom. Please contact FromDullesInternationalAirportandWest:
Please allowfor 24 hours prior notice. DuUesToURoadtoInterstate495East. Take495
Player's individualphone numbers wiU not East(WashingtonBeltway),whichmrUlchangeI
be giventothe media and game day inter- ontoInterstate95Southforapproximately25min-
views wUl notbe granteduntilthe endofa FuiteelsdtHooeuxsiet.25B.TaketheabovedirectionstoCole
game.
Themedia relations office is locatedonthe
mainlevelofColeFieldHouseinroom 1102. briefperiodafterCoachWiUiams concludes
Thephone numberis [phone] andthe his commentstothemedia. This is inaccor-
FAXnumber is [phone]. dance withACC rules. Thevisitingteam's
Practices are opentothe mediawithfew lockerroomaccess poUcyis determinedby
exceptions. Theteamgenerally practices POST GAMEPRESS-CONFERENCES officials ofthat school.
from 3 to 6p.m. MondaythroughFriday. Post game coaches interviews are held in
Weekend practicetimes vanes: mediawish- the basketballlounge adjacenttothe media POST GAME STATISTICS
ingto attendpractice should contactthe work roomandtheMarylandlockerroom. Statistics packets, includmgrunningplay-
MediaRelations Office aheadoftime. Still Coaches frombothteams wiUbroughtto the by-play, firsthalfandfinalboxscores and
and electronicphotographers are welcometo interviewarea after eachgame. Coach Gary post-game quotes are compiledfollowing
practiceprovidedthey do notinterfere with Williams wUlappearfirst, immediately after everygame andmadeavailabletothe media
thepractice. he talks tohisteam. He wiUbe followedby atpress row andinthepress room.
Players wiUnotbe available forUve call-in thevisitingcoach. TheMarylandLocker WelcometotheUniversityofMaryland's
radio shows. RoomIS opento credentialedmediafor a ColeFieldHouse. Wehopeyouenjoyyourvisit.
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
Terp Table
WelcometotheUniversity ofMaryland IFC-1 Gameby GameStatistics 80
Terp Table 2 ACC Standings and Statistics 81
SeasonBox Scores 82-88
DIVIDERPAGE - THE SEASON 3
TeamRoster 4 DIVIDER PAGE - HISTORICAL TERPS 89
SquadAnalysis 5 All-Time Letterwinners 90-91
Season Preview 6-8 AwardWinning Terps 92-94
All-AmericanTerps 95-100
DIVIDERPAGE - THE COACHING STAFF 9 Terps inthePros 101
GaryWilliams, Head Coach 10-15
Billy Hahn. Assistant Coach 16-17 DIVIDERPAGE - TERPRECORDS 102
Dave Dickerson, Assistant Coach 18-19 IndividualRecords 103-111
Jimmy Patsos, Assistant Coach 20 TeamRecords 112
TroyWainwright, AdministrativeAssistant 21 Miscellaneous Records 113-114
Cleo-LongThomas, Coaches Secretary 21 SeasonLeaders 115-116
EUie Norman, OfficeAssistant 21 Maryland YearbyYearStatistics 117
Managers, Equipment Manager 21 Opponents' Year byYear Statistics 118
J.J. Bush, Medical Staff 22 Terps vs. All Opponents 119-123
Terps ThroughtheYears 124-128
DIVIDER PAGE - THE PLAYERS 23 Terps TournamentHistory 129-130
KeithBooth 24-28 WireService Rankings 131
ObinnaEkezie 29-31
RodneyElliott 32-34 DIVIDERPAGE - TERP OPPONENTS 132
NormanFields 35-36 Rainbow Classic Bracket 133
Sarunas Jasikevicius 37-39 American University 134
Matt Kovarik 40-42 University ofCalifornia 134
LaronProfit 43-45 Chicago State 135
MattRaydo 46-47 ClemsonUniversity 135
TerrellStokes 48-50 DukeUniversity 136
BrianWatkins 51-52 Florida StateUniversity 136
Matt Hahn 53 George Washington University 137
Kelly Hite 54 UniversityofGeorgia 137
Mike Mardesich 55 Georgia Tech 138
Midnight Madness 56 University ofHawaii 138
Television/Radio Head Shots 148 HowardUniversity 139
Lafayette College 139
DIVIDER PAGE - WELCOME TO MARYLAND 57 UMBO 140
DeborahA. Yow, Director ofAthletics 58 Massachusetts 140
AthleticDepartmentStaffPictures 59 University ofMemphis 141
AthleticDepartmentStaffListing 60 University ofMichigan 141
Terrapin Club 61 Mississippi State University 142
AcademicSupportUnit 62 UniversityofNorth Carolina 142
Strength and Conditioning 63 N.C. State University 143
President WiLUamE. Kirwan 64 NorthwesternUniversity 143
The Universityat CollegePark 65-69 University ofPennsylvania 144
ColeFieldHouse 70-73 University ofPittsburgh 144
Cheerleaders/Band 74 Towson State 145
Airwaves/RadioNetwork 75 Virginia 145
WakeForest 146
DIVIDER PAGE - 1995-96 INREVIEW 76 Washington StateUniversity 146
Season m Review, Honors 77-78 TerpWatchers - TheMedia 147
SeasonStatistics 79 TV/RadioRoster 148
The 1996-97UniversityofMarylandMen'sBasketballMediaGuideisdedicatedto TheUniversityofMarylandisanequalopportunitymstitutionwithrespectsto
thememoryofjoef.blau,oneofthemostspecialpeoplewhoevergracedthis botheducationandemployment. TheUniversitydoesnotdiscnmmateonthe
worldwithhispresence.ItwaspublishedbytheDepartmentofIntercollegiate basisofrace, color, origin, sex, orhandicapinadmissionoraccessto, ortreat-
Athletics,DeborahA,YowDirector.Itwaswritten,compiledandeditedbyChuck mentoremploymentin, itsprogramsandactivitiesasrequiredbyfederal(Title
WalshwithconsiderablehelpfromNicoleHawkms.TnaaHarns,DaveGell,Andy VI, TitleLX, Section504)andstatelawsandregulations Inquiriesregardmg
Krauss,JoshHermann,DaveO'Bnan.JasonSeedorf,JeffStauffer,andDanLyons. compliancewithTitleVIoftheCivilRightsActof 1964, asamended. TitleIXof
LisaHelfertisthechiefphotographerforthepublication.Photographsalsoappear the 1972EducationalAmendments, Section504oftheRehabilitationArtof
courtesyofDougPensmger,BruceSchwartzman,MitchellLaytonand Teresa 1973.orrelatedlegalrequirementsshouldbedirertedtoOfficeofHuman
Trusty. LayoutanddesignisbyDavePfeifferofConcreteCreativemBeltsville, Relations, 1107HornbakeLibrary,UniversityofMaryland, CollegePark, MD
Md.whoisacreativegeniusandcontmuestoamazetheworldwntheachartistic 20742; Telephone[phone]. InquiriesconcerningtheapplicationofSertion
creation.ThepubhcationwasprmtedbyChromagraphics,IncofLandover,Md. 5-4andPart34oftheC.F.R. totheUniversityofMaryland, CollegePark,
AgreatdealofthanksgoestothestaffofChromagraphics(KathyandRusty Maryland, maybedirectedtoDirector, DisabledStudentServices, 0126
CoolidgeandKathyMynck)whohelpedmakethisbookpossible.Thankyou ShoemakerHall,UniversityofMaryland, Collegepark, Maryland, 20742;
Nancy,forwithoutyourloveandneverendmgunderstanding,manythingsin- Telephone[phone] (voice)or(301)314-7683 (TTY),
cludmgthepublicationofthismediaguide,wouldnotbepossible.
HJUYUUIDBASKETBALL
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MARYLANDBASKETBALL
Team Roster 1996-97
ALPHABETICAL
Name (No.) Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. LW Hometown (High School)
Keith Booth (22) Sr. F 6-6 222 3 Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
Obmna Ekezie (54) So. F/C 6-9 260 1 Pt. Harcourt, Nigeria (Worcester Academy)
Norman Fields (14) So. G 6-0 173 A Mt. Vernon, N.Y. (Mt. St. Michael)
Rodney Elliott (25) Jr. F 6-8 213 2 Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
Matt Hahn (20) Fr. G 6-0 155 HS Columbia, Md. (Atholton)
KeUy Hite (10) Fr. G 6-2 190 HS Temple Terrace, Fla. (Tampa Catholic)
Sarunas Jasikevicius (13) Jr. G 6-4 195 2 Kaunas, Lithuania (Solanco, Pa)
Matt Kovarik (11) Jr. G 6-4 201 2 Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley)
Mike Mardesich (55) Fr. C 7-0 220 HS Boston, Mass. (Worcester Academy)
Laron Profit (3) So. F/G 6-5 189 1 Charleston, S.C. (Caesar Rodney, Del.)
Matt Raydo (5) Sr. G 5-10 152 3 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)
Atman Smith (4) Fr. G 5-10 160 HS Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
Terrell Stokes (12) So. G 6-0 171 1 Philadelphia, Pa. (Simon Gratz)
Brian Watkins (45) SoR. F 6-9 216 TTSSFFRR Nashville, Tenn. (Overton)
NUMERICAL
No. Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. LW Hometown (High School)
3 Laron Profit So. F/G 6-5 189 1 Charleston, S.C. (Ceasar Rodney, Del.)
4 Atman Smith Fr. G 5-10 160 HS Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
5 Matt Raydo Sr. G 5-10 152 3 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)
10 KeUy Hite Fr. G 6-4 190 HS Temple Terrace, Fla. (Tampa Catholic)
11 Matt Kovarik JrR. G 6-4 201 2 Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley)
12 Terrell Stokes So. G 6-0 171 1 Philadelphia, Pa. (Simon Gratz)
13 Sarunas JasikeviciusJr. G 6-4 195 2 Kaunas, Lithuania (Solanco, Pa.)
14 Norman Fields So. G 6-0 173 1 Mt. Vernon, N.Y. (Mt. St. Michael)
20 Matt Hahn Fr. G 6-0 155 HS Columbia, Md. (Atholton)
22 Keith Booth Sr. F 6-6 222 3 Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
25 Rodney Elliott Jr. F 6-8 213 2 Baltimore, Md. (Baltimore Dunbar)
45 Brian Watkins SoR. F 6-9 216 TSFR Nashville, Tenn. (Overland)
54 Obinna Ekezie So. F/C 6-9 260 1 Pt. Harcourt, Nigeria (Worcester Academy)
55 Mike Mardesich Fr. C 7-0 220 HS Boston, Mass. (Worcester Academy)
Head Coach: Gary Williams (8th year)
Assistant Coaches: Billy Hahn (8th year), Dave Dickerson (1st year), Jimmy Patsos (6th Year)
Pronunciations: Sarunas Jasikevicius (Yes-ah-KAV-ah-CHUS)
1
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
Squad Analysis 1996-97
L E T T E R WI N N E R S RETURNING(9)
No. Name Pos. Ht/Wt/Cl/Exp. 1995-96 Averages Hometown/High School
3 Laron Profit F/G 6-5/194/SO./1VL 5.7 ppg/2.7 rpg Charleston, S.C./Caesar Rodney
5 Matt Raydo G 5-10/162/Sr./3VL 0.5 ppg/0.0 rpg Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons
1 Matt Kovarik G 6-5/196/JrR./2VL Medical Redshirt Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley
12 Terrell Stokes G 6-0/176/SO./1VL 3.3ppg/1.3rpg Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz
13 Sarunas Jasikevicius G 6-4/203/Jr./2VL 3.9ppg/1.2rpg Kaunas, Lithuania/Solanco, Pa.
14 Norman Fields G 6-O/I8O/S0./IVL 0.5 ppg/0.4 rpg Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Mt. St. Michael
*22 Keith Booth F 6-5/226/Sr./3VL 15.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Dunbar
25 Rodney EUiott F 6-8/220/Jr./2VL 4.9ppg/3.1 rpg Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Dunbar
*54 Obinna Ekezie F/C 6-10/256/SO./1VL 4,5 ppg/3.7 rpg Pt. Harcourt, Nigeria/Worcester Aca.
NEWCOMERS
(5)
No. Name Pos. Ht/Wt/Cl/Exp. 1995-96 Averages Hometown/High School
20 Matt Hahn G 6-0/155/Fr./HS 13.6ppg/42.3% FG Columbia, Md./Atholton
10 KeUy Hite G 6-4/195/Fr./HS 15.4 ppg/6.5 rpg Temple Terrace, Fla./Tampa Catholic
55 Mike Mardesich C 7-0/232/Fr./HS 17.6 ppg/13.4 rpg Boston, Mass./Worcester Academy
4 Atman Smith G 5-10/160/Fr./HS Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Dunbar
45 Brian Watkins F 6-9/212/S0./TSFR 1.5ppg/1.8rpg Nashville, Tenn./Overton
LETTERWINNERS LOST (4)
No. Name Pos. Ht/Wt/Cl/Exp. 1994-95 Averages Hometown/High School
*4 Exree Hipp F 6-8/205/Sr./4VL 6.8 ppg/3.1 rpg Washington, D.C./Marker Prep
21 Mario Lucas F 6-8/231/Sr./4VL 10.5 ppg/5.2 rpg Memphis, Tenn./Fairley
*15 Johrmy Rhodes G 6-4/205/Sr./4VL 16.7 ppg/3.7 spg Wash., D.C./Wash. Dunbar
*10 Duane Simpkins G 6-0/178/Sr./4VL 12.2 ppg/4.4 apg Ft. Washington, Md./DeMatha
* 1995-96 Starter
Head Coach:
Gary Williams (Maryland, 1968)
Entering his 19th season overall (329-217, .610)
Entering his 8th year at Maryland (122-90, .575)
Assistant Coaches:
BiUy Hahn (Maryland, 1975; Entering his 8th year at Maryland)
Dave Dickerson (Maryland, 1989, Entering his 1st year at Maryland)
Jimmy Patsos (Catholic, 1989; Entering his 6th year at Maryland)
Basketball Administrative Assistant:
Troy Wamwright (Maryland, 1991)
Pronunciations:
Sarunas Jasikevicius (Sha-Roon-US Yes-i-Ke-VICH-us)
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 9/4
Newcomers: 2
Fr/So/Jr/Sr: 4/5/3/2
Seniors: Keith Booth, MattRaydo
Juniors: Rodney Elliott, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Matt Kovarik
Sophomores: Obinna Ekezie, Norman Fields, Laron Profit, TerreU Stokes, Brian Watkins
Freshmen: KeUy Hite, Matt Hahn, Mike Mardesich, Atman Smith
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
Season Preview
Continuing the March will be joined by a strong compliment of
returning front line players and a trio of
Upward in College Park newcomers who hope to bring the
future back to the present.
On January 20, 1996 University of Senior Keith Booth returns as one of
Maryland Head Coach Gary the top players in the nation. He has
Williams looked onto the court and into toiled in relative anonymity during his
the future. A freshman, Obinna Ekezie first three seasons and enters the sea-
was the starting center; another fresh- son as the emerging star ofthe colle-
man, Terrell Stokes, played point guard giate season. He does so many different
down the stretch; a third freshman, things well, and with an improved
Laron Profit, contributed mightily, a jumper from 10-12 feet, he will do every-
sophomore, Sarunas Jasikevicius, hit the thing well. He is one ofthe top players
big shot in overtime, and a junior, Keith in the nation and the Atlantic Coast
Booth, put the team on his back and car- Conference for the upcoming season.
ried the Terps to victory. Booth is a three-time All-ACC hon-
"That wasn't supposed to happen to a oree; was a Third-Team All-ACC selec-
team with four seniors," Williams would tion as a junior and was an Honorable
say after the win. "But necessity cre- Mention all-league pick during both his
ates things." freshman and sophomore season. He is
Each ofthe five players who were on Maryland's heart and soul who leads by
the court when Williams looked into the example in games and practice. Often
future in January return as seasoned times, he is the Terps' No. 2 ball handler
veterans for the 1996-97 season. They on the court despite his position so he
gives Maryland another option while
breaking opponents' pressure defenses.
He has earned the distinction of being
Maryland's "go-to" player
Profit and Stokes, began to make their
collegiate marks late last season and
look to be Maryland's backcourt ofthe
current and the future. The pair teamed
up during the later part of the 1996 sea-
son and were a major reason why the
Terps advanced to the semifinals ofthe
ACC Tournament and were selected to top returning point guardinthe top
play in their third consecutive NCAA conference in the nation. The basketball
Tournament. has been passed on to him by Head
Profit displayed his awesome wares Coach Gary Williams and the Terps are
in the ACC and NCAA Tournament and now his team to run. He averaged near-
looks to be one ofthe top two wing ly three assists a game during his inau-
guards in the ACC this season. He was gural collegiate season in limited min-
an Honorable Mention AU-ACC utes and nearly tied the school record
Freshman Team selection and has the for assists in a single game with 12 ver-
athletic ability to be one ofthe most sus Missouri in a game televised nation-
exciting players the Terps have seen in ally by ABC Sports. He is a classic
a number of years. He averaged 20.5 throw-back, Gary WiUiams type point
points, four rebounds and 3.5 steals as guard who is more concerned with set-
Maryland defeated Florida State in the ting up his teammates than taking the
final regular season game and Duke in ball to the basket by himself.
the opening round ofthe ACC Profit and Stokes will be joined in the
Tournament and finished second on the backcourt by one ofthe deepest compli-
team with a .482 field goal shooting per- ments of guards in the recent memory
centage. He gained international experi- of Terrapin basketball. Juniors Matt
ence this past summer as he led the Kovarik, who redshirted last season,
United States to a third place finish at and Sarunas Jasikevicius, one ofthe top
the 19thWiUiam Jones Cup three-point shooters in school history,
International Tournament as he aver- return as three-year veterans. Senior
aged a team high 12.7 points, 3.1 Matt Raydo, sophomore Norman Fields
rebounds and a team high 2.3 steals. and freshmen Matt Hahn and Kelly Hite
Stokes is, in many experts minds, the give Williams many options when he
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
turns to Ms bench.
Kovarik, the top returning reserve
point guard in the conference, will once
again become a familiar face on the
court for the Terps after missing most of
last season with a leg injury. He was
able to see the game from a coaches
perspective and will take those lessons
learned onto the court this season. He is
an accurate passer and smart ballhan-
dler who always helps the team when
inserted into the lineup.
Jasikevicius has worked hard to
improve on all aspects ofhis game and
looks to be a major contributor. He has
increased his overall knowledge ofthe
game, and improved on his clock man-
agement and footwork skills since the
end ofthe 1996 season. He also
improved his outside shooting capabih-
ties and will be one ofthe top long
range shooting options this season.
Raydo, a senior, Fields, a sophomore
and Hahn and Hite, bothfreshmen, are
strong players who are capable of
adding valuable minutes to the lineup.
Raydo and Fields will be looked to for
their ball handling skills while Hahn and
Hite are outstanding outside shooters.
AH four players will figure in the game
plan each night and will increase the
depth at the guard position.
Sophomore Obmna Ekezie, who start-
ed 18 games as a freshman, and junior
Rodney EUiott will anchor Maryland's
front line. Ekezie returns as Maryland's
starting center while Elliott has earned
a starting position at the power forward
position. Together, they form one ofthe
bigger frontlines which have taken the
court during Williams' tenure in College
Park.
Ekezie continues to get better each
time he steps on the court and the
coaching staff expects big things from
him. He was an Honorable Mention All-
ACC Freshman Team selection. Ekezie
started 18 games as a freshman and
performed very well versus the top cen-
ters in the ACC and the nation. He may
have been at his best as he limited
Todd FuUer, N.C. State's unanimous
First Team AU-ACC selection and first
round NBA Draft choice, to eight points
(11 below his season average) in only
his fifth career ACC game. His 20
blocked shots was the sixth best single
season effort by a Maryland freshman m
school history
EUiott came into his own as he aver-
aged nearly five points and more than
three rebounds a game as a sophomore.
He looks to be the starter at the power
forwardposition as Booth slides down
MARYLANDBASKETBALL
to the three spot - a very natural combi-
nation and more natural positions for
both players. Elliott started six games
last season and is one ofthe most con-
sistent Terps during the day-to-day
practice schedule. His increased physi-
cal strength, confidence and flourishing
on-court abilities during his first two
years at Maryland may be the direct
result of speciahzing on basketball.
A solid front court bench will consist
of redshirt sophomore Brian Watkins
and freshman Mike Mardesich. Watkins,
a transfer from Notre Dame, and
Mardesich will surprise the experts
because of their athleticism and ability
to play tough interior defense.
Watkins begins his first year of eligi-
bility at Maryland after practicing with
the Terps all oflast season. He has
three years ofeligibility remaining
beginning at the start ofthe season. He
provides Maryland with another power
player who will contribute immediately.
Watkins is an extraordinary athlete who
may be the strongest player on the
Terps' roster who exhibited his athletic
ability during his redshirt season and
demonstrated his outside shooting abili-
ty. He joined Profit this summer and
helped lead the United States to a third
place finish at the 19th William Jones impact. He shot 64 percent fromthe field Maryland will once again play a very
Cup International Tournament. He was duringhis prep year atWorcester challenging schedule. The Terps will
second on the team with a 5.1 rebounds Academyandv\rillbeusedapartofa play in the early season Franklin
per game average "high-low" combinationwithEkezieon National Bank/Children's Charities
Mardesich, the first seven-footerto ever the blocks. His versatilityvuiU allow Classic and the always tough Rainbow
play atMaryland, will have animmediate Marylandto showmanydifferentlooks. Classic before New Years Day. The
Terps will face California while George
Washington plays Mississippi State, an
NCAA Final Four team last season in
the Franklin National Bank Classic
which is quickly becoming one ofthe
top early season tournaments in college
basketball. In addition, Maryland will
play its earnest ever ACC game as it
plays host to Georgia Tech on December
12. Williams once again continued his
relentless effort to schedule the tough-
est out ofconference competition, as
Maryland will play Ivy League con-
tender Pennsylvania in Baltimore in
January and travel to Worcester, Mass.,
for its now annual match-up with
Massachusetts in February.
Maryland was one ofthe top teams in
the ACC during the stretch run last sea-
son. Many ofthe players who were
responsible for the Terps last season
surge are now the prime time players as
the team prepares for the 1996-97 sea-
son. Maryland has the coach, the talent,
the heart and the schedule to make a
NCAA
run at its fourth consecutive
Tournament bid.