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.

Another Day, Another Player Leaves the Maryland Hoops Program originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"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).

Doc Rivers' Son Transferring From Georgetown to Indiana originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 28 May 2008 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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."

Maryland's Controversial Recruit Tyree Evans Asks to Be Released originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 24 May 2008 03:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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?

That's our Maryland! This team has been the conference's biggest enigma. They can win at North Carolina (only Duke did that, and Ty Lawson didn't play against the Blue Devils) but lose to American and Ohio. This is a team that was riding high and looked as if they could challenge for the ACC regular season championship ... then completely fall apart.

Maryland knew that it needed a big run in the ACC tournament to make the Big Dance. You could figure that the Terps could beat lowly Boston College ... then topple Clemson and Duke (tall order, yes, but that's what needed to be done) and get to the ACC championship game. That run alone may have been good enough to get them on the good side of the bubble.

Yet, with all that on the table, the Terps manage to screw it up.

Maryland Tanks Another ACC Tournament; NCAA Bubble Bursts originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

Miami. The Canes' season is over, but they will have a little interest at what goes on today. If Maryland beats Virginia, Miami will be the #6 seed in the ACC tournament. That means a date with Tyrese Rice and Boston College on Thursday and, with a win, a date with the Clemson-Va Tech winner on Friday.

A Terps loss and the Canes take on NC State, Thursday, then the Clemson-Va Tech loser on Friday.

Interesting that Miami could be a #6 seed in this tournament, yet is considered by many a virtual lock to get into the NCAA tournament ... at least ahead of Maryland and Virginia Tech.

Here is the seeding for the ACC tournament heading into the day:

Thursday

• #8-Wake Forest vs #9-Florida State
• #5-Miami/Maryland vs #12-NC State
• #7-Ga Tech vs #10-Virginia
• #6-Miami/Maryland vs #11-Boston College

Friday

• #1-North Carolina vs Wake/FSU
• #4-Clemson/Va Tech vs Miami/Maryland/NC State
• #2-Duke vs Ga Tech/Virginia
• #3-Clemson/Va Tech vs Miami/Maryland/BC

ACC, Maryland, Virginia Tech Still Has a Lot to Play for Today originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 13:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

Ask Clemson who had it happen to them last year. This year, they are taking matters in their own hands. The Tigers are now 21-7 and guaranteed themselves a winning conference record. They have beaten two bubble teams in a row (they got Miami earlier in the week) and look like a legit tournament team.

Especially when you consider that leading scorer KC Rivers was held to four points. To win a big game like this on the road ... down by 20 ... with your leading scorer struggling is amazing.

Welcome back to the tournament, Clemson!

Clemson Comes Back on Maryland: Fear the Choking Turtle originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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?

Maryland Loses to Miami ... and Grip on an At-Large Berth originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

NIT or NCAA: Maryland originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, But Do You Believe He Got Fouled? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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

Terps' Bambale Osby Invites Tar Heel Fan Back to His Ghetto originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Maryland's upset of top-ranked North Carolina, if not only forces us to look at the flaws of North Carolina but also the strengths of the Terps. Top strength: head coach Gary Williams.

Williams also has preached that Final Four teams aren't made in January ... so stop trying to figure out who they'll be now:

"I think it's too early to make judgments about who are Final Four teams," Williams said late Saturday night by phone. "It gets earlier every year. We've got to give things a chance to fill out."

Williams said there are a lot of teams capable of winning a game against a perceived Final Four team, "maybe not every night, but on a given night. There a lot of teams out there that can't do it as a steady diet, but on one night they can play well, execute well and anything can happen."

"That's why I'm for expansion for the NCAA Tournament, there are too many teams that are good enough."

Terps Coach Gary Williams: 'I'm for Expansion of the NCAA Tournament' originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"I thought GW played tough on defense. We had some issues. You have to credit GW for playing very well. We have some issues in terms of our offensive proficiency,"

Final Score: George Washington 49, Saint Louis 20; Shot Clock Era Futility Record originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is usually towards the end of the season which I write this post ... but the ugly days of Maryland Terrapins basketball have come very early this year. Yesterday, the Terps lost to American University ... by eight points ... at home.

This is ridiculous! This is the second home loss to a non-ACC foe for the Terps. Before last week, the Terps were 131-3 at home against non-con foes in the Gary Williams era. Now they've lost two in a row. It isn't like American was one of those dangerous mid-majors: they've lost to Fairfield, Morgan State, Loyola-MD and MD-Baltimore County.

This is, what, the fourth straight season Maryland basketball has been very unimpressive.

But, you say, Maryland was one of the most dangerous teams at the tail end of last year. Yes they were. But they also had a ton of seniors that were leading the way and they didn't want to go out like that. This Terps team is missing that element this year. This is a 6-6 team that has lost four of five games. They do have a relatively easy pre-ACC schedule coming up ... but they really haven't had a bad one to date (aside from the Illinois win, which looks more shocking each week).

Is Williams' job in jeopardy? Not likely. He still is the highest regarded coach in Terps history (even more than Lefty) who is their all-time wins leader and brought home a National Championship. Those things tend to buy you some time. Still, there has to be some concern about the Terps program.

The Terrible Terps Taken Down Again originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VCU really likes playing those ACC teams, eh? They beat Duke in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament ... and now notched a win over regional rival Maryland. At the BB&T Classic in Washington, DC, VCU beat Maryland, 85-76. The game ended with the crowd chanting, "CAA!" proudly.

"At the end of the day, you've got to play the game no matter what league you're from," VCU coach Anthony Grant said. "When you look at the college game, you pretty much see it everywhere."

"Give VCU credit," Maryland head coach Gary Williams said. "They played harder than we did and shot it better than we did. ... Our execution wasn't what it should be, and Virginia Commonwealth makes you pay."

VCU Beats Maryland in BB&T Classic originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who are the main men? James Gist is back ... and everyone around Maryland is happy. Gist came on strong towards the end of the season and is one of the better interior defensive players in the ACC. Greivis Vasquez was one of the most surprising freshmen in the league who showed poise and an ability to make big plays for the Terps.

What are the team's strengths? Maryland is a darn good front court team. Gist, Bambale Osby, Braxton Dupree and Shane Walker will form a tough front line that will try to get after it defensively. Greivis and Eric Hayes form what could be an elite backcourt in another year or so.

When will we see them struggle? The Terps lost DJ Strawberry, Mike Jones and Ekene Ibekwe ... three giants keys to their teams. This team is pretty young and depended on that veteran leadership late last season. Also, with no Strawberry or Jones, this isn't the best outside shooting team.

Why should anyone care? When Maryland is a mover and shaker in the ACC ... it is just so much more fun.

How stable is the program? Gary Williams was under some heat of late by missing two straight NCAA tournaments. However, a late surge at the end of last season put them back into the dance and kept those people looking for Williams' head at bay.

Where will they finish in the ACC? Hey, these are the Terps. When you expect nothing ... they surprise. When you expect something ... they disappoint. They don't have the talent that UNC, Duke, NC State, Clemson and some others ... but are better than the bottom rung teams. The key is replacing the leadership they lost.

Name you didn't know, but will: Bambale Osby [pictured] is not just a guy with a knotty head ... he's also a physical beast who will be asked to contribute more on the offensive end with Ibekwe gone. The JUCO transfer is already a fan favorite.

ACC Hoops Preview: #6-Maryland originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terps Midnight Madness In Style originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Random YouTube Magic: UNC vs Maryland Back in 1984 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This will be a transition year for most of the ACC. Pretty much everyone took a hit this offseason, with only four teams really looking like locks for the NCAA tournament. There is little doubt that North Carolina will be the favorite ... but remember that this was the case last year ... and UNC was nearly the #5 seed in the ACC tournament. NC State, Duke and Clemson have the best shot at giving the Heels trouble for the title

1-North Carolina: Sometimes subtraction isn't a bad thing. The Heels lose Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry, but the rotation should be tighter and everyone more understanding of their roles. If UNC is going to make its title run, they better do it now before Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough bolt.

2-NC State: Brandon Costner is my pick for ACC Player of the Year. With JJ Hickson running alongside him in the paint, Costner is free to show his entire game [similar to how Wright helped Hansbrough last year in Chapel Hill]. This team is ready to break out and get back into the ACC's elite. At issue is finding Engin Atsur's replacement ... since he was so key in the success of the Pack last year.

3-Duke: With Kyle Singler and Taylor King coming in, expect Duke to go back to its gun-slinging ways. Last year's team wasn't normal Duke: they struggled to find their offense and were very inconsistent shooting. The big issue this year is ... well, what happens if they keep missing those threes? Josh McRoberts is gone and there really isn't anyone reliable in the paint to score or rebound.

4-Clemson: Can the Tigers get back that team that was scorching the early part of the season? Well, they have four returning starters and has one of the better frontcourts in the conference. They just need to get their minds right. This team has the talent ... they just need to tighten the bolts and clean the sawdust.

5-Virginia: Dave Leitao better thank God that Sean Singletary came back. The ACC player of the year candidate will be asked to do even more with JR Reynolds and Jason Cain gone.

6-Maryland: Gotta love those Terps! The head-scratchers are gone, with their understudies ready to take their place. The team will rely on James Gist and Greivis Vasquez to become leaders on and off the floor. However, this streaky team must find someone who can hit a shot.

Premature Preseason ACC 2007-2008 Hoops Rankings originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nigel Munson, a rising sophomore who was supposed to take All-ACC perfomer Zabian Dowdell's point guard spot, is set to transfer from Virginia Tech, according to his AAU coach. Munson, who played sparingly last season, was pimped out by head coach Seth Greenberg to be the next big thing in Blacksburg. Word is that Munson wants to play for a school near his hometown, in the D.C. area [Maryland? G'town?].

This is a killer for the Hokies, since they have only four returning scholarship players [Terrence Vinson, Lewis Witcher, Cheick Diakite and Deron Washington]. As for the point, freshmen Malcolm Delaney and Hank Thorns will get a crack at starting. That's tough in a league that boasts Ty Lawson, Sean Singletary, Greg Paulus and Tyrese Rice.

This was a team that nearly won the ACC regular season championship this past season ... yet could be dead in the water this season.

(Photo credit: Doug Benc, Getty Images)

Va Tech Transfer Leaves Hokies in a Pickle originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four of the six seniors on the Terps' basketball team are on track to graduate, but one is a walk-on who does not count toward the APR. Goff would not release the names of the two players in academic trouble. If those two don't graduate by the end of the summer, they could cost the program points if they don't return to school to earn their degree and they left while ineligible.

Terps Low Graduation Rates Could Cost Scholarships originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 04 May 2007 03:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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