This Thursday night at 6PM will be the 164th show of Terp Talk. If you quickly do the the Math, it is clear that I am well into the 4th year of the show and my close relationship with my Alma Mater. For 4 years I have had the ultimate pleasure of watching, reporting on, interviewing , and admiring 3 spectacular members of the Maryland Basketball family. I have watched these 3 kids grow as players, and tremendous representatives of the University.
Eric Hayes has been the “Quiet Sharpshooter”. No matter how the game goes, his demeanor remains the same. As a sophomore he suffered an ankle injury that definitely effected his deadly shooting touch. Time after time, he refused to use it as excuse even though after every game he played, his legs were buried in ice from the knees down. Over his career when Eric nails his three, the entire team has been lifted. he has often triggered great comebacks with his shooting and especially this year his threes have buried teams. If Eric is left open for a split second , he will nail dagger after dagger , taking the heart out of the opponent. He has unselfishly switched from starter to 6th man and back to starter–never once complaining. He has been a perfect running mate to Greivis easily switching between the 1 and the 2 position. His defense had steadily improved–so much so that he drew the assignment of guarding Dulaney last Saturday .
Landon Milbourne has been the “Warrior ” for the Terrapins especially the last 2 years. A seemingly natural 3, #1 last year played brilliantly at the 4 position, always being outsized and out weighed but rarely outplayed. Landon is another quiet business only type guy. He teamed with Dave Neal to provide the smallest big man punch the ACC has seen. But as the year went on this duo kept rising in performance helping to take the Terps back to the dance and pull a major upset blowing out Cal in the 1st round in KC. This year Landon has found that 15 foot jumper and has been so effective with it that NBA mock drafts have him going in the 2nd round. Many games he scores a quiet 15-18 points never flamboyant but always clutch and deadly.
The Senor–Greivis Vasquez–has become my favorite Terp of all time. He has the heart of a lion and the ability to match. This kid loves Maryland with every inch of his soul. He is fun loving, a wild card, and yes has the heart of a champion. His only thoughts are those of winning. For every wild shot or play he has made at crunch time, there are so many money shots and passes it would take pages to recount. He backs away from no one. Greivis came back for his Senior year when he could have turned pro–whether he would have been an NBA 1st rounder is unclear but there are many places where he could have played and made a super salary. But Greivis just worships his Coach and his university. I have been to several road games and the abuse and taunts that he has received have me sick. Even at IU, USA chants echoed every time he touched the ball. but Greivis has been undeterred. He never complains –he just plays his heart out. 41 points onthe road at Virginia Tech. Does anything else need to be said. 11 straight points at Cameron to bring Maryland back into the game. After the game, the press gathers in the media room waiting for Senor Vasquez to appear. When he walks in he lights up the room. He is a special player and even more a special kid. VIVA VASQUEZ.
All 3 Seniors will graduate on time this spring. I will miss them all–Thanks for 4 great Years!!!!!
Blog from Bruce Posner
http://PhillyGameday.com
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I do appreciate what all 3 of these guys have done for MD Basketball. They will be missed at MD, that is for sure. Nowgo beat Duke !!!
· 11/12/2019
Grant
Bruce,
Great Article. Most important is the character of these three. This day in age, where money is waiting right around the corner, all three players stayed in college and graduated. It really says something about the program and the players. Go terps.
· 11/12/2019
bobbie34
This is what make college basketball so much fun to watch. I can’t wait for 9:00!!!!
· 11/12/2019