This is terrapinbasketball

2007-08 season Preview 2007-08 Maryland men’s 2002 NCAA Champions 2004 ACC Champions Season Outlook terps return talented core for 2007-08 After enjoying a successful 2006-07 season in which win those games. It’s a very subtle thing, but I think these they posted an overall record of 25-9 and a 10-6 mark in guys learned how to do that last year.” league play, the Maryland Terrapins are poised for another Maryland returns seven lettermen who have combined successful year under the direction of head coach Gary for 263 career games and 90 starts. More importantly, they Williams. The Terps advanced to the second round of stepped up with huge contributions in Maryland’s biggest the NCAA tournament last season, stretching their steak games last season. Senior forward James Gist led the team of consecutive postseason appearances to 14. Williams, in scoring during league play with 13.9 . As a who guided the Terps to the fifth-highest win total in school freshman, Greivis Vasquez silenced the raucous Cameron history a season ago, believes they are primed for another crowd at Duke, nearly collecting a triple-double with 13 tournament run this year despite the departure of six seniors points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds, and transfer Bambale from last season’s team. Osby was huge in Maryland’s NCAA tournament win over Gone are key contributors from the past few seasons, Davidson, with 11 points and six rebounds. including Mike Jones, Ekene Ibekwe, and D.J. Strawberry, In addition to the experience they picked up on the court who has taken his game to the NBA. Still, there is a feeling last season, it’s also the way they blended into the program of optimism in College Park, as the Terps return a strong that excites Williams, as the Terps will again welcome a large core of dynamic performers who played well and contributed freshman class of six student-athletes. throughout last season. “Our returning players are confident and mature enough That stability has been a hallmark of the Terrapins under to understand that we have to get some of our new players Williams who enters his 19th season as head coach of his playing time,” noted Williams. “The new players need to Alma matter. Maryland’s all-time winningest coach knows feel they are a part of things from day one and feel they’re he has veterans with experience who can fill the void left by respected by the older players and that they respect the last year’s senior class. veterans. We’re going to put the best team on the floor, “We have four guys that started at times last year which regardless of what year you are in school, but our veteran is a good nucleus nowadays in college basketball,” said players understand that.” Williams. “Learning how to win is the biggest thing you worry Just how quickly the six newcomers become comfortable about each year. You can have a really good team and play will go a long way in determining how successful the Terps really well and then it comes down to the last two or three are this year. minutes. Some teams win those games, some teams don’t

“We’re going to have to find ways to put the ball in the basket, but it doesn’t have to come from just having great outside shooting. Our de- fense can generate a lot of turnovers which we can convert in transi- tion. In our halfcourt offense, our unselfishness will help us get easier shots.” - Gary Williams 28 • 2007-08 Season Preview 2007-08 Maryland men’s Basketball 2002 NCAA Champions 2004 ACC Champions

Maryland, and the most of any player on last year’s squad. Vasquez played with the Venezuelan national team this summer at the FIBA Americas Championships and went up against some of the top competition in the world, including Team USA. Matched up against Kobe Bryant for much of the night Vasquez still managed a team-high 12 points against the Americans. Hayes proved to be a steady influence in the backcourt as a freshman, starting 11 games and playing in all 34. He averaged 4.8 points and dished out 132 assists. He displayed a consistent shooting touch as he connected on 39 percent of his three-point shots and led the team from the foul line, making 91 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe. Freshman Adrian Bowie should factor into the rotation at guard. Bowie, who grew up a few miles off campus in Greenbelt, Md., enjoyed a decorated prep career at nearby Montrose Christian. He is a guard with a quick first step who should be able to get to the rim and break down the defense. Bowie teamed with Vasquez at Montrose Christian for two seasons. Williams will have plenty of options to chose from on the wing. Sophomore Landon Milboure should see an increase in playing time for the Terps. He appeared in 16 games as a freshman, but spent the summer in College Park and the results seem to have paid off. Milbourne also joined the East Coast All-Stars, a collection of collegiate players, for an eight-day tour through Belgium and Holland this summer Greivis Vasquez where he gained valuable experience against international james gist competition. “With so many new players you have to depend on Cliff Tucker should also compete for minutes on the wing the early practices,” said Williams. “The early games and this season. A versatile athlete who can play a number of FRONTCOURT practices will give us a clear indication of what we can do positions, Tucker comes to College Park after enjoying a Maryland’s frontcourt is loaded with talented players who and where our depth will come from.” standout two-sport career as a football and basketball star each possess a different skill set, giving Williams plenty of The departure of last year’s senior class will force the at Chapin High School in El Paso, Texas. Senior Jason viable options. The group is led by Gist, who was named Terps to fill the scoring void left by three starters who ac- McAlpin and freshman David Pearman will also provide All-ACC honorable mention last year. Gist was Maryland’s counted for just under 40 points per game. To maintain the depth on the wing for the Terps. third-leading scorer last year with 12.8 points per game, but offensive proficiency from a year ago, Williams knows the the Silver Spring, Md., native led the team in scoring during team can ill afford to become one dimensional. league play with 13.9 points per contest. His 72 blocks and “We’re going to have to find ways to put the ball in the 7.2 rebounds per game were both second on the team a year basket, but it doesn’t have to come from just having great ago. Always an athletic high-flying player, Gist improved his outside shooting,” said Williams. “Our defense can gener- shooting touch and added a reliable outside jumper to his ate a lot of turnovers which we can convert in transition. repertoire last season. He has improved his scoring dramati- In our halfcourt offense, our unselfishness will help us get cally in each of his three seasons, and the Terps will look for easier shots.” him to do it again as a senior. The combination of an experienced group of returnees Gist gained valuable experience this summer participating that demonstrated the ability to win tough games in difficult with USA Basketball’s Pan Am Games squad which earned situations, along with an influx of talented freshmen should fifth place in Rio De Janeiro. give Williams all the tools to build another successful season “It was a great experience for James to play with Team of Maryland basketball. USA this summer,” noted Williams. “You get a chance to com- pete against players that have different styles than maybe what you play against during the season. You learn things BACKCOURT about the game of basketball that are really valuable.” Vasquez and fellow sophomore Eric Hayes will anchor Gist enters his senior season eighth on Maryland’s the Terrapins backcourt after both enjoyed stellar freshman all-time blocked shots list (154). He needs just 111 points seasons a year ago. Both players are versatile and can to become the 46th player in school history to reach the either run the offense from the point guard position or play 1,000-point plateau, and would become just the 22nd player equally as well off the ball. at Maryland to join the 1,000 points - 500 rebounds club. “It’s nice to have both Eric and Greivis back for us at Senior Bambale Osby gave the Terps an immediate 2007-08 Season Preview • 29 guard. They certainly have experience now and worked hard boost in his first season with the team last year. Osby played in the offseason to come back even better as sophomores,” in all 34 games and averaged 5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds. said Williams. He led the team in percentage (.563) and gave the Vasquez started in 22 of 34 games last season and was Terps a spark off the bench throughout the season. named ACC All-Freshman honorable mention. He scored Dave Neal has seen his role expand in each of the past 9.8 points per game as a freshman and recorded 157 as- two seasons and the trend should continue through his sists, the third-highest single-season total among rookies at eric hayes junior year. He has played in 40 games as a Terp and gives 2007-08 Maryland men’s Basketball 2002 NCAA Champions 2004 ACC Champions

bambale osby landon milbourne dave neal

Williams an experienced performer who has played valuable Michael Adams returns for this third year on staff, while The Terps open the season on November 11 against minutes in key spots. former Terrapin standout Keith Booth is in his fourth year as North Florida as part of the 2007 O’Reilly Auto Parts College After redshirting last season, Jerome Burney should an assistant coach. Chuck Driesell, who joined the staff prior Basketball Experience. Maryland hosts the College Park provide the Terps with another solid option up front. Burney to last season, has strong ties the program, stretching back Regional, which also includes Hampton and Tulsa. The spent last season practicing against Gist and Osby after to his father Lefty’s days as the Maryland head coach. winner of the two-day regional will advance to the Sprint recovering from a preseason injury and is ready to make The combination of experience and devotion to the in Kansas City for the championship rounds on an impact of his own. program on the staff gives Williams a comfort level on the November 19 and 20. Michigan State, Missouri, and UCLA Three newcomers will also contend for playing time as bench and removes any potential uncertainty that comes also host regionals in what should be a highly competitive freshmen. Braxton Dupree, Dino Gregory, and Shane with making changes. tournament. Walker are athletic big men who fit perfectly into Williams’ “Anytime you have a change on the staff, you don’t know Maryland hosts Illinois on November 28 as part of the fast-paced style. Dupree prepped at Calvert Hall in Baltimore how it’s going to work,” noted Williams. “We’ve been solid annual Big 10/ACC Challenge. Last season the Terps won which produced former Terrapin great Juan Dixon. Gregory with Michael Adams, Keith Booth and Chuck Driesell on a thrilling matchup in Champaign. After taking on the Illini, was named the 2007 All-Baltimore City Player of the Year and staff. It’s a pretty good combination of people and I have Maryland will face Virginia Commonwealth in the annual finished his prep career with a record of 123-19 at Mount St. had the opportunity to watch them now for over a year and BB&T Classic at Verizon Center. The Rams upset Duke in Joseph. Walker played his final season at Montrose Christian they work well together.” the first round of the NCAA tournament a year ago. with teammate Adrian Bowie and helped the Mustangs The Terrapins open ACC play against Boston College post a record of 21-3. Each of them will have the chance to December 9 at Comcast Center. That game against the contribute to the Terps’ success in 2007-08. SCHEDULE Eagles falls during a six-game homestand for the Terrapins In addition to the challenging league schedule that comes which spans from December to early January. Other non- with being a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the conference opponents who will visit Comcast Center include Terrapins have assembled one of the most difficult schedules COACHING STAFF American, Delaware, Holy Cross, Lehigh, Morgan State, In the same way that experienced players can pay off in the country, as the Terps will face at least 11 teams that Northeastern, Ohio and Savannah State. The Terps will on the court, experience on the bench should also pay participated in postseason play last year. The schedule visit the Charlotte 49ers on January 5 in a game that will be dividends for the Terps this season. For the first time in four also gives the Terrapins high visibility, as 15 games will be played at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, the site of the 2008 seasons, the Terrapins coaching staff remained intact from televised nationally. ACC Tournament. the previous season, a fact that Williams knows can greatly “There are several teams in there that we’re going to During the 16-game ACC schedule, the Terrapins will benefit the team. have to be ready for,” noted Williams. “I’ve always felt that have home-and-home matchups with Boston College, Duke, “We’re not about ego in terms of who gets a specific recruit on any given night if you’re not ready to play, it’s going to be Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. In league action the or who is responsible for what,” said Williams. “We just try anybody’s game, even though on paper one team may have Terps host Clemson, Florida State and NC State. Maryland to win as many games as we can as a team. The coaches an advantage. Nowadays there are so many great players will play its only regular-season meetings against Georgia are a team just like the players are a team.” and so many good teams out there.” Tech, Miami and North Carolina on the road. 30 • 2007-08 Season Preview 2007-08 Maryland men’s Basketball 2002 NCAA Champions 2004 ACC Champions Roster Information Alphabetical No. name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown (High School/Previous School) Squad 22 Adrian Bowie G 6-2 190 Fr.-HS Greenbelt, Md. (Montrose Christian) 32 Jerome Burney F 6-9 222 Fr.-RS Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake) Breakdown 4 Braxton Dupree C 6-8 260 Fr.-HS Baltimore, Md. (Calvert Hall) Terps By Class 15 James Gist F 6-9 235 Sr.-3V Silver Spring, Md. (Good Counsel) Seniors (3): Gist, McAlpin, Osby 33 Dino Gregory F 6-7 227 Fr.-HS Baltimore, Md. (Mount St. Joseph) Juniors (1): Neal 5 Eric Hayes G 6-4 184 So.-1V Dumfries, Va. (Potomac) Sophomores (3): Hayes, Milbourne, Vasquez 10 Jason McAlpin G/F 6-6 198 Sr.-1V Silver Spring, Md. (Paint Branch) Redshirt Freshmen (1): Burney 1 Landon Milbourne F 6-7 207 So.-1V Roswell, Ga. (Oak Hill Academy) Freshmen (6): Bowie, Dupree, Gregory, Pearman, 35 Dave Neal F 6-7 263 Jr.-2V McLean, Va. (Bishop O’Connell) Tucker, Walker 50 Bambale Osby F 6-8 250 Sr.-1V Richmond, Va. (Benedictine/Paris JC) 23 David Pearman F 6-6 188 Fr.-HS Columbia, Md. (Oakland Mills) Terps By State 24 Cliff Tucker G/F 6-6 190 Fr.-HS El Paso, Texas (Chapin) Georgia (2): Burney, Milbourne 21 Greivis Vasquez G 6-6 190 So.-1V Caracas, Venezuela (Montrose Christian) Maryland (6): Bowie, Dupree, Gist, Gregory, McAlpin, 2 Shane Walker F 6-10 211 Fr.-HS Alexandria, Va. (Montrose Christian) Pearman Texas (1): Tucker NUMERical Virginia (4): Hayes, Neal, Osby, Walker No. name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown (High School/Previous School) Venezuela (1): Vasquez 1 Landon Milbourne F 6-7 207 So.-1V Roswell, Ga. (Oak Hill Academy) 2 Shane Walker F 6-10 211 Fr.-HS Alexandria, Va. (Montrose Christian) Terps By height 4 Braxton Dupree C 6-8 260 Fr.-HS Baltimore, Md. (Calvert Hall) 6-10 (1): Walker 5 Eric Hayes G 6-4 184 So.-1V Dumfries, Va. (Potomac) 6-9 (2): Burney, Gist 10 Jason McAlpin G/F 6-6 198 Sr.-1V Silver Spring, Md. (Paint Branch) 6-8 (2): Dupree, Osby 15 James Gist F 6-9 235 Sr.-3V Silver Spring, Md. (Good Counsel) 6-7 (3): Gregory, Milbourne, Neal 21 Greivis Vasquez G 6-6 190 So.-1V Caracas, Venezuela (Montrose Christian) 6-6 (4): McAlpin, Pearman, Tucker, Vasquez 22 Adrian Bowie G 6-2 190 Fr.-HS Greenbelt, Md. (Montrose Christian) 6-4 (1): Hayes 23 David Pearman F 6-6 188 Fr.-HS Columbia, Md. (Oakland Mills) 6-2 (1): Bowie 24 Cliff Tucker G/F 6-6 190 Fr.-HS El Paso, Texas (Chapin) 32 Jerome Burney F 6-9 222 Fr.-RS Atlanta, Ga. (Westlake) 33 Dino Gregory F 6-7 227 Fr.-HS Baltimore, Md. (Mount St. Joseph) 35 Dave Neal F 6-7 263 Jr.-2V McLean, Va. (Bishop O’Connell) 50 Bambale Osby F 6-8 250 Sr.-1V Richmond, Va. (Benedictine/Paris JC)

Head Coach: Gary Williams, 19th Year at Maryland (Maryland ‘68) Assistant Coaches: Michael Adams, 3rd Year at Maryland (Boston College ‘85), Chuck Driesell, 2nd Year at Maryland (Maryland, ’85), Keith Booth, 4th Year at Maryland (Maryland ‘03) Director of Basketbartll Operations: Troy Wainwright, 12th Year at Maryland (UMUC ‘04) Athletic Trainer: J.J. Bush, 36th Year at Maryland (Florida State ‘69) 2007-08 Season Preview • 31 2007-08 Maryland men’s Basketball 2002 NCAA Champions 2004 ACC Champions Preseason Honors After yet another successful season in 2006-07, Maryland has garnered national attention from those in the know about college basketball. With an experience squad and a coach known for bringing the best out of his team, the Terrapins are picked among the nation’s best teams entering the 2007-08 season.

Terps in ACC Preseason Rankings ESPN.com 3rd Lindy’s 5th Athlon Sports 5th

Individual Preseason Honors James Gist Preseason Second Team All-ACC, Lindy’s No. 13 power forward in the nation, Lindy’s Preseason Second Team All-ACC, Athlon’s

Greivis Vasquez ACC Preseason Player on the Rise, Sporting News No. 21 point guard in the nation, Lindy’s Bob Cousy Award Candidate

“Gary Williams has terrific guards in Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes, and James Gist, Bambale Osby and some gritty freshmen will make Maryland formidable.”

Jay Bilas, ESPN.COM

“Williams has a core of four players who distinctly recall the ef- fort it took to rally from a 3-6 start in ACC play to win seven con- secutive games and earn a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.”

Athlon Sports

“This should be the season in which forward James Gist finally erupts into a full-fledged ACC – and national – standout.”

Lindy’s

“The return of a proven veteran in Gist and the addition of a hand- ful of big men will create a deep frontcourt. More than likely, Williams will find a way to turn all those parts into an NCAA Tournament team. “

Andrew Skwara, Rivals.COM 32 • 2007-08 Season Preview