Cliff Tucker seizes opportunity to start

Maryland sophomore guard Sean Mosley sat out Sunday's win over Florida Atlantic with a sprained left ankle. Coach Gary Williams expects Mosley to return Wednesday when the Terrapins host William & Mary, but in the meantime he needed someone to start in his place.

That player was junior guard Cliff Tucker, who had turned in something of a breakout performance Dec. 22 in a win over Winston-Salem State. In Maryland's final game before Christmas, Tucker tallied 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting.

Tucker was not as efficient shooting the ball Sunday, but his effort was commendable nonetheless. In 29 minutes against the Owls, Tucker totalled 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on 5-of-11 shooting. He is shooting 58.1 percent on the season.

"Cliff's talented, a very talented player," Gary Williams said. "It's hard for Cliff to really stay focused for a long period of time, and that's just how some players are. The more he plays, the more he'll be able to do that. And he's going to play a very important role on our team this year, so that's going to come. But in terms of quickness for a guy his size, there's not many quicker. He's already had great games against big-time teams last year, and he just has to get into a more consistent spot. I think he can, but he's going to get his chance this year."

Assuming Mosley is healthy enough to play Wednesday night, Tucker likely will return to his role coming off the bench, but regardless, his play in recent games has revealed once again the production he potentially can add to the Terrapins lineup.