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University of Maryland men's basketball media guides PDF

152 Pages·1996·10.8 MB·English
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Preview University of Maryland men's basketball media guides

/ 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 (301) 314-9094. 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: (301)314-7064 Theweeklypress conference, throughthe services ofDaromePhone Service in OfficeFax: (301)314-9094 Alexandria, Va., canbe accessedby calling (703) 276-4310. Theteleconference wiUbe SportsInformationDirector replayedinits entiretyfor 24 hours foUowtngthe conclusion ofthe originalpress confer- forMen'sbasketballrChuckWalsh ence. Please contact BrianMorrisonoftheACC Office at (910) 854-8787forfurther infor- HOfofmiceePPhhoonnee:: ((330011))389104--97607615 mation. AssistantDirector:TriciaHarris CONFERENCE STATISTICS OfficePhone: (301)314-7063 TheACC offers up-to-date statistics onadailybasisthroughoutthe season. Theyare HomePhone: (301)847-8384 accessible bycomputermodem everyafternoon after 3 p.m. The numberfortheACC AssistantDirector:DaveGell ComputerBulletinBoardis (910) 855-6568. Some helpfulhints: (1) hst 80 characters per OfficePhone: (301) 314-7062 hne onthe screen, (2) Ust 24 lines perdisplaypage. Forfurtherinformationplease contact HomePhone: (301) 890-2756 Ross MasonatShelbySystems at (205) 879-7070. 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 (919) 854-8787. 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 (301) 314-7065 andthe his commentstothemedia. This is inaccor- FAXnumber is (301) 314-9094. 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; Telephone301-405-2838. 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(301) 314-7682 (voice)or(301)314-7683 (TTY), cludmgthepublicationofthismediaguide,wouldnotbepossible. HJUYUUIDBASKETBALL Tii9 £>£i£l£!Oii 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.

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