Terrapins Insider - The Washington Post's in-depth coverage of University of Maryland sports - November 30, 2008

For Maryland, it's Boise, Boise, Boise

Barring something completely unforeseen, Maryland is headed to Boise, Idaho, to play Nevada in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 30. A formal announcement is expected tomorrow night. Maryland officials clung to slim hope of winding up in Charlotte’s Meineke Car...

By Eric Prisbell | December 6, 2008; 4:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Football
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Thoughts On The Colonials

I'm at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta getting ready to cover the SEC championship game in a few hours, which means I wasn't able to attend today's media availability in College Park. Fortunately, the tireless Eric Prisbell was able to...

By Steve Yanda | December 6, 2008; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Scouting George Washington

Last season, George Washington transformed from a constant to a variable. The Colonials had made three straight trips to the NCAA tournament from 2005-07 and had claimed an Atlantic-10 championship in 2007. But last year, point guard Travis King went...

By Steve Yanda | December 6, 2008; 2:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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An Unfavorable Tournament

Tomorrow night, the Terps will take on George Washington in the BB&T Classic at Verizon Center. Maryland is fresh off a win over Michigan, and, as Gary Williams is quick to remind anyone who will listen, his team has played...

By Steve Yanda | December 6, 2008; 9:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Breaking News: Cosh Returns to Kansas State

Chris Cosh, Maryland’s third-year defensive coordinator, will leave to become Kansas State’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, his wife, Mary Cosh, said. A Maryland official said Cosh will not coach in the Terrapins bowl game. Cosh is returning to...

By Eric Prisbell | December 5, 2008; 4:09 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)
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Changing A Mindset

After Wednesday night's game, I spoke with sophomore forward Jerome Burney about the development of Landon Milbourne, who prior to the contest against Michigan seemed uncomfortable to varying degrees at the power forward position. Though he played at power forward...

By Steve Yanda | December 5, 2008; 2:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Returning To Form

The first three minutes or so of senior forward Dave Neal's first start of the season did not go well. After scoring the game's first bucket, Neal drew the ire of Coach Gary Williams on consecutive possessions, leading to a...

By Steve Yanda | December 5, 2008; 10:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Keep On Shooting

During the Terps' season-opening thrashing of Bucknell, junior guard Eric Hayes attempted just three shots (three fewer than any other starter) and scored just three points. Wednesday night, Hayes attempted 13 shots and recorded 13 points against Michigan. What does...

By Steve Yanda | December 5, 2008; 7:12 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Who Starts? Who Cares?

Gary Williams said after the game last night that he inserted Dave Neal and Adrian Bowie into the starting lineup because A) the two had been playing well recently, and B) he thought those additions (specifically Bowie; had Braxton Dupree...

By Steve Yanda | December 4, 2008; 5:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Ripping the City of Boise, Idaho

Barring a wild turn of events on Saturday, Maryland likely will reluctantly play in the bowl game that never wanted the Terrapins in the first place. And, yes, I perfectly understand the reluctance of fans to be excited about Maryland...

By Eric Prisbell | December 4, 2008; 2:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
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Who Do You Root For?

After Landon Milbourne's breakthrough performance last night against Michigan, Gary Williams addressed, again, what makes Milbourne such an endearing player. Throughout the early stages of this season, even as Milbourne struggled to adapt to his new position, Williams stood by...

By Steve Yanda | December 4, 2008; 1:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Boise Newspaper: The Terrapins Don't 'Sizzle'

As a reporter who used to cover the Western Athletic Conference earlier this decade, I know the Idaho Statesman does a great job covering Boise State and all things WAC related. In today's story, reporter Chadd Cripe writes that undefeated...

By Eric Prisbell | December 4, 2008; 10:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
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Solid Showing For Gregory

The rumor was that Dino Gregory possessed a contagious energy that could spark his team at any given moment. I say "rumor" and "was" because until last night, I had seen only brief glimpses of Gregory's potential. But against Michigan,...

By Steve Yanda | December 4, 2008; 10:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Are You Interested in Maryland-Nevada in Humanitarian Bowl?

The bowl selection process, particularly concerning ACC teams this season, is very fluid. The reason Maryland has about a 90 percent chance right now to head to the Humanitarian Bowl and not a 100 percent chance is because Maryland officials...

By Eric Prisbell | December 4, 2008; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
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Expected Star Returns To Form

Greivis Vasquez filled up the stat sheet quite nicely last night. The junior guard tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. He also was mainly responsible for holding Michigan's marquee player, Manny Harris, to just 5 of 15 shooting...

By Steve Yanda | December 4, 2008; 7:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Terps Rebound In Win Over Michigan

In light of the beating they took Sunday night at the hands of Georgetown, the Terps' 75-70 victory Wednesday night over Michigan was impressive. To be honest, I think it was more impressive that they were able to win a...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 11:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Changes To Starting Lineup

Senior forward Dave Neal and sophomore guard Adrian Bowie are making their first starts of the season tonight for the Terps. Vasquez, Milbourne and Hayes round out the starting five. Your thoughts?...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 7:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Terps Likely Headed to Humanitarian Bowl

Maryland will likely land in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, where the Terrapins would probably play Nevada. But Maryland officials are still clinging to hope of playing in Charlotte, perhaps against West Virginia. They say it would take a...

By Eric Prisbell | December 3, 2008; 6:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
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Humanitarian Bowl News Release Forthcoming

As I reported two hours ago, Rick Chryst, commissioner of the Mid-American Conference, told me that Boise State-Ball State will not be played. And a Ball State official told me the Cardinals would play in a MAC bowl game. That...

By Eric Prisbell | December 3, 2008; 4:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Bringing 'Em Back

Gary Williams and his staff faced a multitude of challenges coming off a weekend in which the Terps were exposed in many areas. The team's shooting needed to be addressed, as did its defensive focus and overall effort level. Oh,...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 3:49 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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MAC Commissioner: Ball State Not Expected to Go To Boise

I just got off the phone with Rick Chryst, the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference. He said the MAC and Ball State have explored all possibilities to make the Boise State-Ball State game work. But he expects Ball State to...

By Eric Prisbell | December 3, 2008; 2:41 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Football
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Bowl Slots Filling Fast

Well, well, well. Here we are again. Everyone who has a vested interest in Boise State, Maryland or Ball State is waiting on a yes or no answer from the folks in Muncie, Ind. I will be surprised if this...

By Eric Prisbell | December 3, 2008; 1:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Milbourne The X-Factor

Michigan junior forward DeShawn Sims understands, probably better than most people, what Landon Milbourne is experiencing this season, mainly because Sims is making a similar transition himself. Last year, Michigan Coach John Beilein had Sims (6-foot-8, 235 lbs.) playing out...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 1:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Passing Up Opportunities

Gary Williams knows good and well that Michigan Coach John Beilein has seen tape of the Terps' performance against Georgetown, the one where Maryland shot 31.6 percent from the field. He also knows Beilein probably has seen footage of Maryland's...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Ball State is on the Clock

Ball State is expected to make its decision today. That's according to the Idaho Statesman, and that is good news for everyone who wants to know where Maryland will play its bowl game. And here is my story on the...

By Eric Prisbell | December 3, 2008; 7:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
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What The Terps Need From The Big Fellas

Tonight, John Beilein and the Michigan Wolverines come to College Park for a showdown with the Terps. One thing you can look forward to seeing a lot of from Michigan tonight at Comcast Center is a 1-3-1 zone defense. It...

By Steve Yanda | December 3, 2008; 7:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Bowl Update, Coaching News

It has been a long day, but the focus once again turns to the beautiful town of Muncie, Ind., and what Ball State and the MAC want to do. To sum up the day: Maryland really explored options today to...

By Eric Prisbell | December 2, 2008; 8:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
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The Scene After The Loss

Adrian Bowie and Eric Hayes got to do probably the last thing on Earth they wanted to do today with a collection of reporters at Comcast Center -- relive their team's shortcomings during its worst performance of the season, Sunday's...

By Steve Yanda | December 2, 2008; 5:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Bowie's Declaration

After having a few days to digest Sunday's embarrassing loss to Georgetown, sophomore guard Adrian Bowie declared today in a chat with reporters that the lack of effort the Terps displayed in their final game at the Old Spice Classic...

By Steve Yanda | December 2, 2008; 4:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Update: Maryland's Bowl Fate Hinges on Ball State's Answer

I just got off the phone with Kevin McDonald, the executive director of the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. After Maryland lost its regular season finale, the Terrapins had a great chance to land in the Humanitarian Bowl, which has...

By Eric Prisbell | December 2, 2008; 11:13 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Football
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Scouting Michigan

In many ways, the teams at Michigan and Maryland have a lot in common. Neither squad was expected to do much this season. Then both squads went out and provided a shocking upset over a ranked team. And then both...

By Steve Yanda | December 2, 2008; 11:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Some Bowl Clarity Could Come Today

Okay, the WAC is expected to meet to decide where it wants its teams, and namely Boise State, to play. Here is the story. This is important for Maryland because if the WAC decides it wants Boise State in San...

By Eric Prisbell | December 2, 2008; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Okay, I'll Admit It...

I admit it. If Maryland does not head to Boise, as much of the free world expected it to at 10 p.m. Saturday night, I could be in a heap of trouble. Around that time, after I got off the...

By Eric Prisbell | December 2, 2008; 7:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Some Outside Thoughts

Following Maryland's loss to Georgetown on Sunday evening, I got a chance to catch up with CBS college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg, who had been watching the day's games at the Milk House. Like most of the people who saw...

By Steve Yanda | December 2, 2008; 7:11 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Should Terps Go Where They are Not Wanted?

So the Humanitarian Bowl's board of directors met and have decided to try to make the Boise State-Ball State battle of the unbeatens happen on Dec. 30. Here is the latest story out of Boise. The ACC and potentially Maryland...

By Eric Prisbell | December 1, 2008; 9:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Football
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More on Ball State-Boise State (Update)

Get this: I have written here earlier that college football officials are reportedly engaging in discussions to match undefeated Boise State against undefeated Ball State somewhere in a bowl game. Well, now it appears that the folks at the Humanitarian...

By Eric Prisbell | December 1, 2008; 5:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Three Terps Earn First-Team All-ACC Honors

Three Maryland football players made the all-ACC's first team. Center Edwin Williams, punter Travis Baltz and running back Da'Rel Scott all were named to the first team by the league's media members. Scott was a bit of a surprise. He...

By Eric Prisbell | December 1, 2008; 5:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Mosley's First Start

Lost in the shuffle from last night's game was the fact that freshman guard Sean Mosley made his first collegiate start. This wasn't necessarily the most shocking occurence for two reasons: 1) Williams frequently has praised Mosley since the start...

By Steve Yanda | December 1, 2008; 3:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Men's basketball
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The Road to Shreveport, Detroit, Houston or Birmingham...

Let’s run through how Maryland could wind up in one of the at-large bowl slots in Houston, Detroit, Shreveport or Birmingham. First, check out Joe Giglio’s story about 6-6 North Carolina State. A rule stipulates that 7-5 teams must be...

By Eric Prisbell | December 1, 2008; 1:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Entry Denied

Here's a scene from last night's game, a little more than four minutes into the first half: Adrian Bowie is running the point at the top of the key. On the wings are Sean Mosley and Cliff Tucker. Dave Neal...

By Steve Yanda | December 1, 2008; 12:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Desperate To Move Forward

In case you were curious, the last time Maryland got beat by 27 or more points was Jan. 8, 2005 at North Carolina when the Tar Heels prevailed, 109-75. The last time the Terps lost a non-conference game by at...

By Steve Yanda | December 1, 2008; 11:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Terps' Weekend: Which Was Worse?

After the euphoria of Thursday's basketball victory over Michigan State, Maryland fans had a rough holiday weekend, obviously. A 1-2 record in Orlando, with a win over a top-10 team, is something most followers would have accepted beforehand if offered,...

By Matthew Rennie | December 1, 2008; 9:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Football , Men's basketball
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An Off Night For Vasquez

Regardless of whether he's operating within the flow of the offense or trying to take over the game all by himself, junior guard Greivis Vasquez likely has to be a big part of Maryland's offense on most nights for them...

By Steve Yanda | December 1, 2008; 7:16 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Boise Wants Ball State

Like I mentioned last night, conversations are underway to match Boise State against Ball State somewhere during this bowl season. Here is the story. If Ball State heads to Boise, then Maryland obviously is forced elsewhere, perhaps Detroit, Houston or...

By Eric Prisbell | December 1, 2008; 7:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Hoyas Crush Terps, 75-48

That, folks, was not pretty. It would be one thing if the Terps had come out and been straight-up beaten by a better team (which they were). But to make things worse, Maryland came out flat in what should have...

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 9:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Sunday Chat With Friedgen

Just finished with Ralph Friedgen’s Sunday teleconference. Friedgen is not up to giving a thorough evaluation of the season as a whole until it ends with a bowl game. The Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, is still the most likely...

By Eric Prisbell | November 30, 2008; 5:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Mosley Makes His First Start

Freshman guard Sean Mosley was just announced in the starting lineup in place of sophomore Cliff Tucker, who has struggled in the past few games. The rest of the lineup remained unchanged....

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 5:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Ten Minutes To Tip-Off

They've found enough gum to clog all the leaks in the roof here at the Milk House and we're about ready to start the long-awaited matchup between Maryland and Georgetown. If the Terps can establish the up-tempo pace they prefer,...

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 5:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Rain Delay At The Milk House

With 12:47 to go in the first half of the Michigan State-Wichita State game, the roof at the ceiling began to leak considerably (it's raining outside here in Lake Buena Vista) and the contest came to a halt. After waiting...

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 1:42 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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A Trend Developing

When friend and colleague Eric Prisbell predicted on his new college basketball blog that Gary Williams would "mention the words Michigan State in almost every press conference from now until Selection Sunday," I was hoping for the sake of my...

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 12:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
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More G-Town-Terps Coverage

For more coverage of the big game, check out Press Break, our new college basketball blog that has some additional posts up about tonight's matchup. And check out my post on what a win would mean for Gary Williams. During...

By Eric Prisbell | November 30, 2008; 8:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Men's basketball
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'We Just Happen To Be Located Close To Each Other'

Excited about tonight's Maryland-Georgetown match-up? Fired up because these two programs -- separated by less than 15 miles -- play each other once per presidential administration? Well, good for you. But Gary Williams isn't buying it. Sure, Maryland's head coach...

By Steve Yanda | November 30, 2008; 8:01 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Men's basketball
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Two Bowl Scenarios

I will map out two bowl scenarios then step aside for the G-town-Maryland hoops hype to take over. If Virginia Tech wins the league title: Orange: Virginia Tech Peach: Florida State Gator: Georgia Tech (They told me they'd love to...

By Eric Prisbell | November 30, 2008; 7:53 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
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Network News

Terrapins Insider: November 30, 2008 - December 6, 2008