I can finally sympathize with those who don't like Gary

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

First- This team has turned the ball over all year long, and have never fully closed out a game this year, and both of those combined to kill us today finally. Vasquez and Hayes are a disgrace to point guards everywhere, and yet no adjustment has been made. When they are making turnover after turnover at the end to kill our NCAA bid, Gary doesn't even think to put in Bowie or Tucker in, who at least aren't careless with the ball. Freaking Hayes and Vasquez half the time dribble it out of bounds, and frequently make the most ridiculous entry passes ever, and can't even get the ball to each other. I'm not saying Bowie and Tucker would be a great improvement, because its uncertain because of their EXP but Vasquez is not a Point guard.. turns the ball over way too much, and Hayes is garbage altogether, shoots like 2 for 8 from 3 frequently, and has no confidence dribbling the ball.

Second- Why was Burney buried on the end of the bench??? The guy is a shot blocking machine, and I was thinking about him being the most important player when we pushed back to 13. Also, I favor putting in Bowie over Hayes. He adds more quickness to our game, and is confident taking it inside, whereas all Hayes can do is shoot threes (when lately he hasn't even been doing that).

Overall, I'm just really surprised at nothing being done about this turnover problem. I know Clemson had the most steals in the league, but half the time, they didn't have to do much to get the ball from us. We are careless with the ball. THE WORST LOSS I HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A FAN. We had an NCAA bid, and choked it away. I mean, we had come close to choking other games away this year, but we were only up by 10. When we pushed it to 20, I thought we had it. I am stunned right now, absolutely stunned. Im sure I'll be able to give Gary some grace when I cool down, because I've always been one to say he should never get fired, but how can this happen? He looked so confused, and you'd think, since this is like the fifth time this year weve blown a lead, he'd know what to do by now, or have some sort of plan.

[Lucky Jim]

Definitely worth a new thread.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I am fine with people feeling this way, I feel the same. But I think people pile on Gary too much and I understand that he deserves some of the blame here, but he did some things that he thought would work.

He played Bowie when the lead started to dwindle. Burney got great late minutes. He put Neal in there to help inbound the ball and in case he got fouled.

What happened to Vasquez on some of the free throws? Landen had an opportunity to widen the lead later when he got fouled and he missed the first one as well. How are these things Gary's fault?

I do feel that it is part of the coaches responsibility to hold onto the lead, but he called timeouts to curb the spurts, he put several different guys on Ogilsby (Sp?) to try and slow him down, but he kept on hitting shots.

I don't think some of the moves Gary was trying were head scratchers, he was trying to go with the hot hands and slow down theirs.

Our guys did a terrible job of clock management, even though they didn't rush this time, just didn't hit outside shots coming down the end.

This is the only response needed to a thread like this.

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

I'm not one to blame everything on Gary, but I do think that the boneheaded nature of this team has been a real problem, and nothing has been done to fix it. Maybe it's one of those cases where we don't have a true PG, and we need a field general out there, and unluckily failed to get one for this year. I'm headed to the University of Florida in the upcoming year, and our Basketball team has a few flaws that can't be fixed by the coach this year. We have a lack of size and athleticism. We tend to live and die by the three because of the personnel at hand, and get out muscled inside. I don't know though, I feel like in UMD's case, Bowie and Tucker would be better Point guards than GV and Hayes, because they don't seem to turn it over when they are in there. They make the open pass, and take shots they are capable of making, nothing outside of that really. Maybe all Gary needed to do was give em a shot. Maybe not both at the same time, but when GV was gassed, put Bowie at point not Hayes. Throughout the year as well, If Bowie and Burney could have gotten some more looks, we might not have been gassed in a very important game. But as they say hind sight is 20/20.

[grady41]

I was at the game, I feel your pain. Grevis is the only ball handler the Terps have, and he does turn it over. He is and is going to be one of the most exciting players ever at MD, just needs a little more expirence. I cannot remember when I have seen a player come out of the key with more loose balls on defense. He is what he is now. Hayes plays a good floor game, rebounds well, shoots well at times (a little slump now) but is slow and this causes problems. Bowie had a great game but cannot handle the ball and cannot shoot outside, he is a good player, just a role player. Tucker is the same type of ballhandler as Bowie, also niether of them shoot free thows very well. Tucker will be a good player in the future.Bowie will do fine too.
Burney has really stepped up and the team needs this, he must of been practicing real well and earned the time, now he is taking advantage of it.
The loss kills the team, now to make the NCAA's they need to win at Va and then at least there first ACC game to get a look, its how it should be .
Dont blame Gary here, the guys played hard, played good defense, it just wasnt meant to be. The shot the guy hit at the end ws defensed well, it just went in.
Dont give up yet Terps fans, things can turn on a dime here.

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

Bowie had a great game but cannot handle the ball and cannot shoot outside, he is a good player, just a role player. Tucker is the same type of ballhandler as Bowie, also niether of them shoot free thows very well.

That being said, I definitely think not having a true PG is what is doing us in, or contributing to the lack of stability in the turnover area. Now what's the plan.. Was Vasquez supposed to be able to control himself eventually, or do we have a guy coming in who can handle it next year? Also, I thought Bowie and/or Tucker were PG's..

[Mackus]

We have a true point guard, its Hayes, the problem is we're better offensively when Vasquez has the ball more often. He has plenty of turnovers sure, but he still creates a ton of plays both for himself and others.

[ccbird]

We have a true point guard, its Hayes, the problem is we're better offensively when Vasquez has the ball more often. He has plenty of turnovers sure, but he still creates a ton of plays both for himself and others.

I pray Gary allows Maze to start next year at PG. Vasquez has to play off the ball. For all he does well, he is simply a turnover machine and has to have the ball in his hands less. Hayes, shouldn't even be in the picture. He is nowhere near good enough to be a ACC caliber PG. List the things you expect out of a starting PG and Hayes simply can't really any of them. The one thing he does well, shooting the ball, isn't a top quality in a PG. Furthermore, he isn't a great shooter when having to shoot off the dribble, which is most likely when a PG would be pulling up.

[JohnD]

I know this much. In a late situation Landon Milbourne better not be on the damn floor. That turnover he made was the worst, most pathetic play I've seen in a long time. It showed a complete lack of preperation, though to be honest Bowie should have been on the floor late in the game instead of Milbourne anyway. And then Milbourne's "defense" on the final shot. Just freaking pathetic. Give a sniper hitting that shot all night four feet of space and what do you think will happen? I'm way, wayyyyyyyy down on Milbourne tonight. I'm way down in the dumps anyway and my "therapy" session hasn't done much to fix that. But I'm so sick of hearing the story about Milbourne asking Gary what he had to do to start. Whatever Gary told him, I have a hard time believing Milbourne has done it.

Luckily, he's a sophomore and going to improve and get better.

[Mackus]

Milbourne has been playing very, very well lately, but last night he didn't show up at all. He was a non-factor on the offensive end and couldn't stick with a 3-pt specialist who isn't half the athlete he is.

Really the only thing he did right all night long was be close enough to force Booker to accidentally tip that one ball back in late in the game. Almost everything else he did was a negative.

He's usually a very good defender and a opportunistic if not great offensive player (he's easily our best guy at getting to the offensive glass as well). Just didn't have a good game last night.

[Dr. FLK]

I know this much. In a late situation Landon Milbourne better not be on the damn floor. That turnover he made was the worst, most pathetic play I've seen in a long time.

That turnover reminded me of the GTown pass to James Worthy...

[8istheman]

Missed FT killed us. Hayes and GV have missed a lot this year.

[Mackus]

Hayes and Vasquez haven't missed a lot of FT this year, they've just missed a lot of big ones. I have no idea how Vasquez is an 80% FT shooter, it seems like he's always missing a big shot.

I think this week overall still did more net good for our resume than it did bad, but it obviously was a completely wasted opportunity to make us a lock with a big win over Clemson.

[square634]

Hayes and Vasquez haven't missed a lot of FT this year, they've just missed a lot of big ones. I have no idea how Vasquez is an 80% FT shooter, it seems like he's always missing a big shot.

I think this week overall still did more net good for our resume than it did bad, but it obviously was a completely wasted opportunity to make us a lock with a big win over Clemson.

I think Hayes is a great free throw shooter. Even late he is pretty reliable. On the other hand, it seems like every time I turn to look at the TV, Vasquez is missing another free throw

[Mackus]

I think Hayes is a great free throw shooter. Even late he is pretty reliable. On the other hand, it seems like every time I turn to look at the TV, Vasquez is missing another free throwIt definitely seems like Vasquez misses more FTs than Jamar Smith. Its ridiuclous almost, but he's still shooting nearly 80%. Its crazy, I must just spontaneously blackout for nearly all of the ones he makes.

[glenn__davis]

Speaking of FT shooting, how about Landon Milbourne? Pretty good FT shooter, always looks smooth doing it, and the one he missed at the front end of the 1-1 last night was a total brick. Not even close. That was a choke job, plain and simple.

[BaltimoreTerp]

It definitely seems like Vasquez misses more FTs than Jamar Smith. Its ridiuclous almost, but he's still shooting nearly 80%. Its crazy, I must just spontaneously blackout for nearly all of the ones he makes.

Maybe he makes them all early, but is about as clutch as a broken automatic transmission?

[ccbird]

Like I said these guys tighten up at the end of games. I'd be willing to bet Vasquez is a 50% free throw shooter in late and close situations, same with Milbourne and most of the team for that matter. Gist missed horribly on a couple of free throws in the Wake game. You can see these guys transform and play a lot different when the game gets close and thats scary to watch. Sadly, having ice water in your vains is something you can't teach but somehow they have to get more comfortable playing in tight games.

[accinfo]

I pray Gary allows Maze to start next year at PG. Vasquez has to play off the ball.


No offense but how many times have you seen Bobby Maze play that you think he should be starting over ANYONE who is on this team right now? How many JUCO's come into the ACC and are stars and difference makers right away? Please don't throw out Steve Francis. Bobby Maze isn't close to the player Francis was and even Gary Williams refused to start Francis in front of a non-pro like Terrell Stokes. First of all Maze is a real long shot to ever make into any college. He prepped for two years out of high school to qualify at Oklahoma, then he was kicked out of there after 1 1/2 years. He is a 22 year sophomore in college. Please don't believe the recruiting hype you read on message boards. These are the same people who said Sterling Ledbetter and Parrish Brown were lighting up everyone in pick-up games the summers before they played their first years with Maryland.

[Fairfax Bird]

No offense but how many times have you seen Bobby Maze play that you think he should be starting over ANYONE who is on this team right now? How many JUCO's come into the ACC and are stars and difference makers right away? Please don't throw out Steve Francis. Bobby Maze isn't close to the player Francis was and even Gary Williams refused to start Francis in front of a non-pro like Terrell Stokes. First of all Maze is a real long shot to ever make into any college. He prepped for two years out of high school to qualify at Oklahoma, then he was kicked out of there after 1 1/2 years. He is a 22 year sophomore in college. Please don't believe the recruiting hype you read on message boards. These are the same people who said Sterling Ledbetter and Parrish Brown were lighting up everyone in pick-up games the summers before they played their first years with Maryland.


So tell us what type of player he will be at Maryland. You seem to have the ACC info. Is he any good? Will he start as a Senior? Give us your scouting report since the message boards are wrong.

[ccbird]

No offense but how many times have you seen Bobby Maze play that you think he should be starting over ANYONE who is on this team right now? How many JUCO's come into the ACC and are stars and difference makers right away? Please don't throw out Steve Francis. Bobby Maze isn't close to the player Francis was and even Gary Williams refused to start Francis in front of a non-pro like Terrell Stokes. First of all Maze is a real long shot to ever make into any college. He prepped for two years out of high school to qualify at Oklahoma, then he was kicked out of there after 1 1/2 years. He is a 22 year sophomore in college. Please don't believe the recruiting hype you read on message boards. These are the same people who said Sterling Ledbetter and Parrish Brown were lighting up everyone in pick-up games the summers before they played their first years with Maryland.

I haven't seen him play but I know he started 5 games at OU at the end of his freshman year after having injury problems at the beginning of the season. OU is a decent Big 12 school and to start at PG as a freshman says something about your ability. All the scouting reports say he is quick, has a very good handle, can break his man down and is a good passer. He is a top 20 JUCO playing at an elite junior college. Ledbetter and Brown had no Div 1 experience and were nowhere near as highly thought of as Maze . Jamar Smith and Francis were the only other JUCOs we've had that were top 20 JUCOs and both stepped in and made immediate contributions. He brings to the table everything Hayes doesn't and is a better athlete. Hayes isn't a starting caliber ACC PG. Sure, I don't know Maze can get the job done either but I'd be willing to bet he is better than Hayes and hopefully is a better pure PG than Vasquez. I have no thoughts or hopes of him being Francis, but from everything I've heard and read he can make an impact.

It sounds to me like you got beef with Maze for whatever reason. A scholarship was offered and accepted. I know things aren't set in stone but I find it hard that we would be this far into the process if there wasn't a very high probability that he was going to qualify and be here.

[inmn]

No offense but how many times have you seen Bobby Maze play that you think he should be starting over ANYONE who is on this team right now? How many JUCO's come into the ACC and are stars and difference makers right away? Please don't throw out Steve Francis. Bobby Maze isn't close to the player Francis was and even Gary Williams refused to start Francis in front of a non-pro like Terrell Stokes. First of all Maze is a real long shot to ever make into any college. He prepped for two years out of high school to qualify at Oklahoma, then he was kicked out of there after 1 1/2 years. He is a 22 year sophomore in college. Please don't believe the recruiting hype you read on message boards. These are the same people who said Sterling Ledbetter and Parrish Brown were lighting up everyone in pick-up games the summers before they played their first years with Maryland.

Brick Oettinger says he will be an "ACC level impact player". Brick is the best ACC recruiting analyst period-he's seen a lot over the past 30 years. The point is Maze is able to do things that their other guards cannot. Md has 6 scoarship offers on the table to next year's class (with one to give), they wouldn't offer him unless he wouldn't be an immediate impact player. There aren't many impact JUCO's in the ACC because there aren't many JUCO's in the ACC, and if MD had done a better job evaluating last year's class (and closing on their initial offers) there wouldn't be a need here. The true measure of a recruit is who you beat out to sign them; Brown and Ledbetter were nothing recruits-Bowman and Maze had offers and interests from Kentucky level programs. The character issue is real though.

[calsmanystances]

Maze seems like a really good athlete who can break his man down off the dribble. However, is this the guy who will solve our major problems?

Maze is shooting 28% from 3-point land this year. A backcourt of Maze and GV (31.7%) will not spread the floor and will really hurt us when teams pack it in. Both GV and Maze seems to be gunners who look to score. That doesnt really help ball movement or the the natural flow of the offense. Maze also isnt a very good FT shooter (72%).

I'm not saying Maze isnt, or won't be, a good player. I am just saying he doesnt exactly fit in at UM with GV as the SG and our general lack of outside shooting.

And when did Hayes ever get the chance to start at,and play 30 minutes a game, as our PG? I've seen GV do it this season, but have yet to see Hayes given a real opportunity at the position. Perhaps, if he had a 5 game trial as the starting PG we could better judge whether he is a failure at the position.

[inmn]

Maze seems like a really good athlete who can break his man down off the dribble. However, is this the guy who will solve our major problems?

Maze is shooting 28% from 3-point land this year. A backcourt of Maze and GV (31.7%) will not spread the floor and will really hurt us when teams pack it in. Both GV and Maze seems to be gunners who look to score. That doesnt really help ball movement or the the natural flow of the offense. Maze also isnt a very good FT shooter (72%).

I'm not saying Maze isnt, or won't be, a good player. I am just saying he doesnt exactly fit in at UM with GV as the SG and our general lack of outside shooting.

And when did Hayes ever get the chance to start at,and play 30 minutes a game, as our PG? I've seen GV do it this season, but have yet to see Hayes given a real opportunity at the position. Perhaps, if he had a 5 game trial as the starting PG we could better judge whether he is a failure at the position.

Cal,

Same old doesn't cut it, it's broken and GW is trying to fix it. It doesn't matter what any of us think GW does not like the offense running through Hayes. Maze may be a bust, you never know-but he is a very good JUCO player for a very good program which has won multiple national championships and put guys in the pros. Part of Hayes' issues are that the team just isn't that good, he's a complementary player on a team of complementary players-GW needs scoring options. Right now they have one player quick enough to beat anyone of the dribble and it's not Hayes.

[ccbird]

Cal,

Same old doesn't cut it, it's broken and GW is trying to fix it. It doesn't matter what any of us think GW does not like the offense running through Hayes. Maze may be a bust, you never know-but he is a very good JUCO player for a very good program which has won multiple national championships and put guys in the pros. Part of Hayes' issues are that the team just isn't that good, he's a complementary player on a team of complementary players-GW needs scoring options. Right now they have one player quick enough to beat anyone of the dribble and it's not Hayes.

Right. Hayes is a complementary player who is a 10 min guy on a good team. I'm not sure Maze would score more than Hayes is now but I am very confident that he would handle pressure better, get out in transition faster and break down the defense in the half court set.

[Ruzious]

I think Hayes can be an effective player for the Terps. They could go back to using a 3 guard offense - they'll certainly have the depth. With Maze and Vasques out there with Hayes, that would make them a very good ball-handling team, and it takes presure off of Hayes - as the defense has to focus on 2 other guys - Maze and Vasquez. Hayes can spot up for 3's and take advantage of the opponents worst perimeter defender. And get some PT for Bowie and Tucker. And against smaller front lines, use Milbourne some at the 4. But he's gotta work on his rebounding this offseason.