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Does anyone want to be a Maryland Terrapin? What the hell is going on in College Park?

In a non-surprising move, forward Shane Walker has announced that he's transferring to Loyola (MD). He had said he was leaving the program over a month ago and has now made his decision to where.

Let's see: that comes after recruits Tyree Evans and Gus Gilchrist "left" already and Bobby Maze couldn't get his grades up to get in.

Fellow FanHouser Nathan Fowler touched on this two weeks ago and the issue needs to be raised again: what's going on at Maryland? This was a program that had reached the ultimate success with consecutive Final Four appearances and a National Championship in 2002.

Since then, the Terps haven't made it past the Sweet 16. Maryland has made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons despite playing in an ACC that has been competitive, but not all that great. Heck, the Terps have had exactly one winning conference season in the last five years.

"It just wasn't a good fit for me at Georgetown and I didn't feel like the offense was really showcasing my talents,'' Rivers told the Star. "I had worked hard at becoming a defensive specialist and that's fine, but I feel like I'm capable of a lot more. I just needed to make a change.''

In a statement released by Georgetown University, Hoyas coach John Thompson III said, "Jeremiah and his family made a decision and determined this was best for him. We appreciate his hard work and wish him best in his future endeavors.''

Rivers averaged just 2.5 ppg, but was an outstanding defensive players ... often checking some of the nation's top scorers. He'll be heading to a defensive minded league and to a program that needs bodies. Of course, that won't help them this year (Indiana has only three returning players) as Rivers must sit out one season per NCAA rules.

Interesting that Rivers chose Indiana. Indiana's new coach is Tom Crean, who used to be the coach at Marquette. Rivers' dad played at Marquette (a long, long, long time before Crean was there) in college.

Rivers also considered Georgia Tech (his dad played seven seasons in Atlanta) and Central Florida (his dad coached the Orlando Magic for five seasons).

As FanHouser Nathan Fowle touched on yesterday, the debate whether the Maryland Terrapins should keep recruit Tyree Evans has ended. Evans has asked to be released from his letter of intent and will look to go to school elsewhere.

This is a bittersweet moment for Terps fans as Evans would have contributed immediately. He was a star high school prospect and a JUCO star at Motlow State CC (as well as others). However, he has more baggage than a former Disney teen star.

Evans has bounced around schools over the past several years and has had some serious off-court issues. He was charged with felony possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute (he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and grabbed a suspended 12-month jail bid). He also pleaded guilty to a reduced assault-related misdemeanor for his involvement (with others) in the statutory rape of a 15-year old classmate. He also has a trespassing case as well as another marijuana charge -- this one with him possessing a handgun.

There was quite a debate around College Park about Evans and if he should even be there. Coach Gary Williams was in his corner, but the heat was apparantly too much to take. His prep coach, Bobby Steinburg, discussed this move with Evans.

"Hearing about all that stuff and people started telling him, it was just constantly a struggle. It seemed like every day it was something new," Steinburg said. "He and I just talked about it two days ago and said, 'Let's go ahead and opt out.'

"It's not like he's going to have trouble finding another place."

If there is one thing we can count on, it is the Maryland Terrapins stinking up the ACC tournament.

In the Gary Williams era (beginning in 1989-90), the Terps have won exactly one ACC tournament (2004). The only other time they've even got to the finals was in 2000. Taking out the 2004 ACC Championship team, the Terps have won just one game in the tournament since 2003.

The Terps lost their first round game against Boston College today, essentially ending any hopes to get into the NCAA tournament. The loss is their 5th in six games ... and sixth out of eight. Understand that the BC team that beat them had lost six straight games and 12 of 13. Needless to say, this was embarassing.

And unlike previous years where Terps fans can moan about the tournament being in North Carolina (which it is again this year), Maryland lost to Boston College ... a school that is on the outskirts of the ACC and making just their third ACC tournament appearance.

Oh, and you want more? The Terps had a 20-5 lead in this game and led the Eagles come back! This team was the definition of kaput and they let them come back and win the game?

Yes, UNC beat Duke last night to win the ACC Championship. Still, there is a lot to play for on the final day of the regular season. There is seeding in the ACC tournament and bubbles to try to fly off of for a few teams.

Maryland at Virginia. The Terps are sitting at 18-12 and squarely on the bubble. The Cavs have been the league's doormat for most of the season, but have suddenly gotten a little hot. This is a must game for Maryland as a loss would be devastating for their NCAA hopes. A win makes them the #5 seed in the ACC tournament and a matchup with the last place NC State Wolfpack (who have lost eight straight).

Virginia Tech at Clemson. The winner of this game will be the #3 seed -- the loser is #4 (the #3 avoids UNC until the title game). This is so important to Virginia Tech's (18-11) tournament hopes. Right now, they are on the outside looking in. The biggest complaint against the Hokies resume is that they haven't beaten anyone important. Winning at Clemson would fulfill that. Of course, there is that little thing about ... winning at Clemson.

It can be done (Charlotte did it), but can Tech do it? Their biggest road win was at Maryland a few weeks ago.

Who would have thunk that it would be Clemson that was the strong finisher who could make an outstanding comeback on the road over a tournament hopeful team?

Maryland's hopes for the tournament took a major blow today as they choked away a 20-point lead and lost to Clemson, 73-70. Maryland had a 59-39 lead about halfway through the second half. Clemson then goes on a 34-11 run to end the game ... bolstering their own tournament resume.

The Terps have lost three of their last four games (and 4 of 6) and fading away. This is the second straight home loss for a team that already had a shaky record, uninspiring RPI ranking and was falling in the ACC standings. How wild is it that the only win they have over a team that will be in the dance is one at North Carolina?

They have one regular season game left (at a slightly dangerous Virginia) before the ACC tournament starts. The Terps can't win the ACC tourney, which means they will have at least 13 losses on their record. Even if they win two more games and get to 20 wins, last year we saw that it may mean nothing to the selection committee.

Many people feel that Maryland is a lock to get in -- I'm not so sure. Their record isn't sparkling, the RPI isn't mind-boggling and they have a tendency to put up an egg now and then (see Va Tech on Wednesday). Still, the Terps have an outstanding shot at getting in, provided they don't embarrass themselves. They key is beating those other ACC bubble teams in the next week that would keep them above them in the standings and keeps them out of a bad seeding in the ACC tournament. Right now, they are in ... but they can play their way out or into a lock in the next ten days.

So, what does Maryland do? They go to Miami (one of those bubble teams) and lose by 15 points.

Again, it isn't like the Terps have this awesome hold on an at-large bid. Aside from winning at Carolina, what makes them a tournament team? They've now lost three of four ... with two of those losses (Miami, Virginia Tech) to ACC teams that are smack dab on the bubble, too.

After all, they are 7-6 in the conference (so is Virginia Tech) with a 17-11 overall mark (Tech is 16-11). The Terps rank 65th in the RPI (Va Tech ranks 63rd). Um, those Hokies also beat Maryland twice. So how is Maryland so protected yet Va Tech is such a long shot?

Throughout the season we'll look at bubble teams and assess whether they have a better chance of ending up in the NIT or NCAA Tournament.

Team: Maryland

Record: 17-10

Good Wins: at North Carolina

Bad Losses: American, Ohio, Missouri, Boston College

Comments: Maryland's biggest moment was their upset win at UNC and their two relatively close losses to Duke. They've had one of the tougher schedules in the country, but other than the win at Carolina have nothing to show for it. Their remaining schedule sees them on the road facing fellow bubble teams Miami and Wake Forest ... before hosting tourny lock Clemson and finishing at Virginia.

Other Views: They rank 62nd in the RPI, 59th in the Sagarin Ratings and in as an at-large according to Bracketology.

Verdict: Many people feel that Maryland is a lock to get in -- I'm not so sure. Their record isn't sparkling, the RPI isn't mind-boggling and they have a tendency to put up an egg now and then (see Va Tech on Wednesday). Still, the Terps have an outstanding shot at getting in, provided they don't embarrass themselves. They key is beating those other ACC bubble teams in the next week that would keep them above them in the standings and keeps them out of a bad seeding in the ACC tournament. Right now, they are in ... but they can play their way out or into a lock in the next ten days.

You've probably seen the video of Maryland beating North Carolina and hearing a female fan scream "go back to the ghetto" (if not, check it out here). Terps center Bambale Osby (wearing #50, above) took a bit of exception to that comment:

"It wouldn't be nothing for me to go back to the ghetto," said Osby, who said he grew up in a violent section of Richmond. "That's where my mom lives, so if [the fan] wants to come on down, she can join me. It's just ignorance. Going back to the ghetto, who knows where all of us are from? All of us could be from Alaska or something. How would she know? It's not a big deal. But like I said, if she wanted to go back to my neighborhood, we can go. We can spend a night there and see how she feels."

That's why Osby is the kind of guy that even rival fans have to love. Dude brings it on the court ... and apparently off the court, as well.

Previously at FanHouse:
UNC Fan to Maryland Player(s): Go Back to the Ghetto