Chuck has been a tremendous part of the Maryland basketball program. Even on his last day, new recruit Sterling Gibbs gave credit to Chuck as wellas Caoch Williams for decicion to become a Terp. ”It is an honor and a privilege to become a part of the rich history and tradition of The Citadel and to serve this great college as the head basketball coach,” Driesell said. “I am passionate about being at The Citadel and will surround myself with people who feel the same.”  The opportunity at The Citadel is Driesell’s first as a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. Previously, he served as a head coach at the U.S. Naval Prep School (1985-88), Marymount University (1997-2003) and at Bishop Ireton (Va.) High School (2004-06).  ”I am very happy for Chuck becoming the head coach at The Citadel,” said Williams. “He worked very hard the past four years and was an important part of our success. Chuck has a great deal of experience and is certainly prepared to be a head coach.”

An assistant position to Coach Williams is now open.  Certainly this replacement needsto bring a strong ability to recruit. Potential replacements being mentioned are: Rob Burke from American University, Chris Caputo from George Mason. ex Terps, Johnny Rhodes, Matt Kovarik, Matt Hahn, Keith Gatlin,  and Juan Dixon.

Let me say how sad this news is. But let me also say that very few people have done as much for Maryland Sports as Juan Dixon. For many years Juan provided thousands of Terrapin fans with untold enjoyment. I unquestionably stand in his corner and will not pass any judgement until I hear the whole story. Juan is a friend and a great guy. The following is the story from cbssportsline.com.

Former NBA player Juan Dixon has tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, his Spanish team Unicaja announced. The player gave the drug test in Greece in November, before he joined the Malaga-based team, Unicaja said on its website. Dixon was informed of the positive result several days ago and the International Basketball Federation decided to suspend him on Friday. His suspension is indefinite until further notice.

10—   March 8, 2008—Hudson Taylor decisions Dennis Drury 10-5 clinching the ACC Title for the Terps, its first since 1973. The title signaled the introduction of the Terrapins as a NCAA power on the mat.

9—    January 1, 2003—On 4th and goal, Scott McBrien ran a naked bootleg and went untouched into the endzone triggering a 30-3 win over Tennessee. This was Maryland’s first bowl win in 17 years.

8—-May 22, 2005—–Andrew Schwartzman scored an unassisted overtime goal to defeat Georgetown and send Maryland into the final 4 of lacrosse.

7—-May 24 2001—-Allison Comito scored in Overtime as Maryland defeated Georgetown for the NCAA title, thus capping the 4th title for the greatest female lacrosse player ever, Jen Adams.

6—February 21, 2009—Greivis Vasquez hit a layup with 8 seconds remaining to send the NC game into overtime. The Terps won by 3 in OT and began a run back to the NCAA tournament. Carolina went on to easily win the title and Maryland stood tall as the only team to defeat the 2 finalists.

5—-November 23, 2009—Katie O’Donnell, went the length of the field and scored the go ahead goal in a play described by many as the greatest individual play ever in NCAA history.  Maryland went on to defeat Wake Forest 4-2 for the NCAA title.

4—December 14, 2008—–Zac MacMath makes a leg save   late in the game preserving  a 1-0 win and Sasho’s 2nd title. The Terps become the foremost soccer power in the NCAA.

3—April 4, 2006-tieto—-Kristi Tolliver hits a 3pt shot at the end of regulation,before coasting to an easy OT victory. This win gave the Lady Terps its first NCAA tilt and established the Terps as one of the elite teams in women’s Basketball

2—November 17, 2001—-Shaun Hill threw as touchdown pass to Guilian Gary with 41 seconds left and thus Maryland won the ACC Title and a trip to the Orange Bowl. This was Ralph’s 1st season as head coach.

1—  April 1, 2002—Juan Dixon hita a 3 point jumper to regain the lead  just after the the Terps lost the lead in the NCAA Championship game against IU. The Terps never trailed again and won the title.

Bruce’s comments–Freddy, you have them in the wrong order–Buck Williams was superior to Lenny as a Terp and in the pros. Also, don’t diminish what Joe Smith did as a Terp–1995 Consensus Player of the Year.

 Power Forward.  Len’s teammate Tom McMillen, the University of Maryland’s only Rhodes Scholar.  Cerebral, brilliant shooter inside or outside.  Automatic from the free throw line. Had Tom played in the 3 point and shot clock era he would have easily averaged 25-30 points a game.  2^nd team.  I’ll go with Keith Booth.  Undersized, not a very good shooter but tough and selfless.  A terrific team player.

Bruce’s Comment—-Chris Wilcox gets the nod over Keith. Wilcox’s powerhouse play led the Terps to the title. If Chris would have come back–it would have been a repeat for the Terps.

 Small Forward.  Len Bias.  Great outside shot.  A monster on the inside.  Would go up for a shot, his opponent would go up and start to come down and Bias would still be going up. Trust me, I hate Lenny for being a schmuck and doing coke, but what a ball player, and he had so much room for improvement.  2nd team.  Albert King. I felt badly for King his freshman year.  He was surrounded by too many guys who had no idea how to play basketball.  Albert’s junior year was as good as anyone could play.  His basketball I.Q. is off the charts. A brilliant college basketball player.

Bruce’s comment–No argument here

 Shooting guard..  Juan Dixon.  Deadly shooter.  More importantly tremendous heart.  Would not allow his team to lose during the championship run.  I love Juan Dixon.    2^nd team.  Greg Manning.  Great college basketball player.  Automatic from the field and the line.  Had the team he played on with Albert, Ernie and Buck had a decent point guard that team would have won a NCAA championship.

Bruce’s Comment–Though his role was  questionable as either a 1 or a 2, Stevie Francis’ year at Maryland might have been the best any player has ever had as a Terp. Greg Manning, Steve Franchise, cmon Freddy!!!!

Point Guard.  For me Brad Davis.  Yes, I know Lucas had a more heralded career.  But no Maryland point guard ran the fast break and was as creative as Breezy and he was a clutch shooter.  And to think, Davis played center in high school.  2^nd team.  John Lucas.  No doubt a great guard from his first game as a Terp.  But he threw the ball away in O.T. against N.C. State in the “Greatest College Basketball Game” ever played on an inbounds play which hurt Maryland badly and the play against U.C.L.A. when the Terps could have taken the lead in the last seconds and Lucas dribbled the ball off his leg when David Myers switched on him…well I could strangle Lucas.  But no doubt Luke was terrific.

 Bruce’s Comment—Brad Davis?  Walt Williams was Mr Incredible. He single handedly turned the program around.

6^TH Man.  Walt “The Wizard” Williams.  Again, probably an insult putting Williams as a 6^THman rather than a starter.  He was an incredible college basketball player and so, so important to the University.  G-d bless “The Wizard”.

 All heart-toughness players.  Buck Williams, Juan Dixon, Steve Blake and Steve “The Bear” Sheppard.  I’ll never forget the game at N.C. State where Sheppard didn’t start because of a badly pulled muscle.  The Terps found themselves down 17-2 at the start of the game.  “The Bear” comes in dragging his injured leg and leads the Terps to an amazing victory.  Gotta love “The Bear”. Don’t forget Gene Shue and Bosey Berger

Blog from Freddy from Boca

But today is the 19th and no number has more meaning then Johnny U. ( and my daughter’s birthday). It just hit me when I looked at the calendar and saw 19.

However, the memories of the Bullets playing their fast break ball with Gus, Wes, and the Pearl are still so vivid in my memory. When they moved down the road, at least they were still the Bullets and it was possible though inconvenient to go to the games. Then on May 15, 1997 the unthinkable happened –the Bullets became the Wizards. Nothing has gone right since.  Even one of the best blogs about the Wizards is called Bullets Forever.com. Whenever the Wiz go retro there are immediate uni sales. Arenas, Brendan, Antoine, Caron, Ernie, you want to win, try being the Bullets for one year. Just my opinion!!!