Greivis and Memphis         7/12   1030PM   vs Atlanta (Milbourne)      7/13 8PM   Milwaukee    7/15  1030 PM  vs D league

Well it was a big day for Maryland’s backcourt. First the fact that Greivis was the best point guard in the nation was ratified by his winning of the Bob Cousy Award. The last night Eric Hayes put on a shooting display that will definitely elevate his status in the pro arena. No of the shooters was even near the accuracy of Eric. But you’ve been hearing my praise of these 2 kids all year.

Maryland guard Eric Hayes will participate in the 3-point shooting college championship April 1 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.  Hayes converted 64 of 141 3-pointers as a senior, good for 45 percent. He finished his Maryland career with a 40 percent mark, good for fourth all time in Terps history.

While reading up on everyone’s end-of-Maryland-basketball-season thoughts, I came across one of the most powerful sports-related videos I’ve ever seen.  Dan Steinberg posted a video of an interview done with Gary Williams by NBC’s Lindsay Czarniak in his blog post on March 23rd.  Before I go on about this video, click the link and take a look.

When I mention the power of this video, I am talking about the 8 seconds of silence that starts around the 2 minute mark.  Czarniak asks Gary how frustrating it is for him knowing that he won’t be able to coach Greivis Vasquez anymore.  Gary gets a bit flustered and choked up and shows a side of himself that fans would never imagine he has after seeing his intensity level during games.

To me, this 8-second pause shows everything that is oh-so-right about NCAA men’s basketball and everything that is oh-so-wrong.

That 8-second pause is the embodiment of one of the best coach-to-player relationships in all of college basketball.  From various interviews over the past four years, Terps fans have come to understand that Greivis is the on-court version of Gary, a fiery, intense, emotional dude with no tolerance for losing.

That 8-second pause is the result of four years of highs, lows, and everywhere in between.  That 8-second pause is the result of a relationship that has been slowly cultivated for four years and has clearly turned into something that resembles the love shared between father and son.

And it is that 8-second pause that represents what I love about college basketball.

I love that players come and build relationships with their teammates and coaches.  I love seeing young freshman grow up to mature seniors.  I love seeing the successes and how the players grow from their failures.  And although seeing seniors go is always bittersweet, I love seeing the emotion between players and coaches as they part ways at the end of four years.

Unfortunately, we’re becoming more and more familiar with “one-and-dones,” those players that only come to college for one year before they move on to the big bucks that come with an NBA contract.  With the one-and-done becoming more popular, we are losing some of the elements of college basketball that I love oh so much.

When I think of the one-and-done, I right away think of Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse to the 2003 national championship.  I don’t doubt that Jim Boeheim enjoyed the year he spent with Melo.  But, can anyone honestly see Boeheim being asked a question about Melo and being on the verge of tears for 8 seconds before he began to speak? I most certainly can not, which makes me appreciate the video of Gary that much more.

As we say goodbye to Greivis, Landon Milbourne, and Eric Hayes, it is important that we truly appreciate what they represent.  They are a dying breed in college basketball.  Three seniors who all improved drastically since their freshman years.  Three seniors who brought a new brand to Maryland basketball after the post-national championship years which many Terps fans don’t look too fondly upon.  Three seniors who had an incredible relationship with their coach, especially Greivis, the most legendary of the trio.

All of this is represented in that 8-second pause.  Gary’s silence speaks far louder than words ever could.

Blog fron Josh Fendrick Terrapin Class 2013

Someone asked the 3 Seniors if they had ever been to Spokane and I question if they thought the reporter was serious. Because guess what, I had no idea of where Spokane was. It is one hard city to get to—-no flights in or out were timely available and the closest fuctional airport is Seattle 250 miles away.

It was clearly a surprise that the Terps were a 4 seed—not because I didn’t think they deserved it, but all the ratings and the Bracket experts figured much worse. So Maryland goes out West where in 2001 they beat Stanford to go to the final four.  This year the path is extremely interesting. First up is Houston a surprise Conference tourney winner over UTEP. Houston is a guard oriented team featuring the number 1 scorer in the nation, Aubrey Coleman. Overall a good matchup for the Terps and the game should be a run and gun high scoring battle.  We don’t like to look ahead but a possible round of 32 matchup with Michigan State awaits–the followed by the Number 1 seed in the tournament Kansas.

Here’s what the 3 Seniors had to say together–3 Seniors Selection

Greivis on Houston—Greivis Selection Landon on Scoring Landon Selection

Gary spoke of how proud he was of the team to achieve the 4th seed.  Gary on 4th Seed Gary Selection

Game time is 9:40 on Friday which makes it one of the last 1st round games. Should the Terps advance to the Sweet Sixteen, the regional would be in St Louis.

I was very surprised to see that Virginia Tech was left out of the dance. 10-6 and 3rd place in the ACC should be enough to get in. Imagine the outcry if the Terps were in that position.

Duke received a very favorable draw having to get through a weakened Purdue team and then probably Villanova to get to the final 4.

As the week goes on I will make my final four predictons. The best thing about tonight for the Terps is that the dream is alive. Many experts give Maryland little chance to get past the likes of Kansas but with the Maestro and Greivis anything is possible. I am counting the minutes til Friday night!!!

Just why Spokane–I ask!!!!!

There is nothing more disappointing then traveling with your team–in this case the Terps—and watching such a heartbreaking loss. Some of my many observations of the night.

Terrapin nation was well represented with a solid 30 % of the crowd in its corner. The 2nd hald comeback swept up the entire arena.

The 16 point halftime lead was wiped out faster then most leads I have seen.

Hewitt and the Yellow Jackets were totally baffled by the press—committing 25 turnovers—16 in the 2nd half. Tech only got 17 shots off in the half which is about 1 shot every minute 10 and yet still won the game.

Landon Milbourne was back and this bodes well fornthe Terps in the big dance. He finished with 15 points and Gary emphasized post game that Landon’s effort hasn’t changed –just that the shots weren’t falling.

Gary paid tribute to Eric in the post game. Eric was his usual tough as nails self.

Tonight Greivis was definitely off his A game. Yet when crunch time came he never backed off taking crucial shot after crucial shot.

8 times Maryland had a chance to take the lead or tie and they came up empty. 2 particular shots 1 by Greivis and 1 by Mosleyseemed to be halfway down. Ouch. I know it, Paul Hewitt knows it, every one reading this blog knows it, the Georgia Tech players know it—if Maryland took the lead Tech would have wilted to oblivion.

The No Call—the refs blew it–every one in press row knew it right away—you could hear the buzzer before the stuff was made. But there is nothing that could be done. No conspiracy–just a poor job by the refs. What bothered me more was how Sean Mosley was literally mugged on some his drives with no call by the zebras.

No matter what, you have to applaud the Terrapin 2nd half effort. Gary said the only difference between the 2 halves was the effort Maryland exerted.

There was a great contingent of Southern Terp fans at the game.

I was a little disappointed at Derrick Favors attitude towards the game. He had a few real cheap elbow fouls and at it’s obvious the selection he is looking forward to is the NBA Draft.

What now? Fortunately , Terrapin fans have 44 hours to commiserate before joy returns with the anouncement of where Maryland will be plating next.  By Sunday night this game will be a distant memory.

The Terps will now be in a one and done mode–a winning streak of 6 and it’s celebration. The dream is there. The Terps again are in the Big Dance.

Although North Carolina gave Georgia Tech a scare, it comes as no surprise that the Terps will face Georgia Tech tonight. In game one the following happened: Derrick favors had his beat game of the year shooting 9-15 with 21 points and 18 rebounds, Iman Shumpert his 3 threes, Greivis and Landon were a combined 7-27 and yet the Terps still won. Do the math.  Tech had 24 offensive rebounds yet still lost, I doubt if any of these numbers will repeat today.

It’s hard to explain what these 3 guys have meant to the University. Yes Greivis was awarded ACC Player of the Year today but he would be the first to include his 2 fellow Seniors as being so crucial to his phenomenal season as well as the Terps Regular Season Title. There is a quiet confidence in Terrapin nation–why because these 3 guys are the backbone of a true TEAM!!! Game after game these Seniors appear at crunch time ready to overcome any situation. Bring on Georgia tech —let’s get it on!!!!