Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball
3/10/1998 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
 Terps face Utah State in the NCAA Tournament first round. |
Men's Hoops Selected to Fifth Straight NCAA Tournament
Fourth-seeded Terps play Utah State in first round.
March 9, 1998
The Matchup
No. 20 Maryland Terrapins (19-10, 10-6 ACC)
vs. Utah State Aggies (25-7, 13-3 Big West)
Date: Thursday March 12, 1998
Arena: Arco Arena/16,547
Site: Sacramento, Calif.
Radio: Learfield/Maryland Radio Network
(WBAL - 1090 AM/WMAL - 980 AM/WINX - 1300 AM)
Play by Play: Johnny Holliday; Analyst: Greg Manning
Pre-Game show begins 30 minutes prior to each game.
TV: CBS - National Television
Series: This is the first meeting between the Terps and the Aggies.
MARYLAND IS... ...One of only 11 teams in the nation and one of only two teams in the ACC which has participated in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments. The Terps are joined by only Arizona, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Purdue, Temple and UCLA as teams in each of the last five NCAA mens basketball tournaments.
IN THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE... ...Maryland is joined by only North Carolina and Wake Forest as the three ACC teams which have finished in fourth place or higher in the conference standings in each of the last five seasons. Maryland has finished in first place (1995), third place (1998) and fourth place (1994, 1996 and 1997) in the league standings the last five seasons.
TERPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY Maryland is making its 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and school-record fifth consecutive under ninth-year head coach Gary Williams. Prior to this season, the Terps most recently participated in the NCAA Tournament in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. In 1994, the Terps advanced to the Midwest Region semifinals as they defeated St. Louis, 74-66, Massachusetts, 95-87, and lost to Michigan, 78-71. In 1995, the Terps defeated Gonzaga, 87-63, and Texas, 82-68, in advancing to the West Region semifinals. In 1996, the Terps were seeded seventh in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament and in 1997 the Terps were seeded fifth in the Southeast Region.
TOP 25 POLLS
Associated Press Top 25
March 9, 1998
1. North Carolina 30-3
2. Kansas 34-3
3. Duke 29-3
4. Arizona 27-4
5. Kentucky 29-4
6. Connecticut 29-4
7. Utah 25-3
8. Princeton 26-1
9. Cincinnati 26-5
10. Stanford 26-4
11. Purdue 26-7
12. Michigan 24-8
13. Mississippi 22-6
14. South Carolina 23-7
15. Texas Christian 27-5
16. Michigan State 20-7
17. Arkansas 23-8
18. Mew Mexico 23-7
19. UCLA 22-8
20. MARYLAND 19-10
21. Syracuse 24-8
22. Illionois 22-9
23. Xavier 22-7
24. Temple 21-8
25. Murray State 29-3
ESPN/USA Today Top 25
March 9, 1998
1. North Carolina 740
2. Kansas 700
3. Duke 684
4. Arizona 678
5. Connecticut 618
6. Kentucky 615
7. Utah 529
8. Princeton 513
9. Purdue 480
10. Stanford 454
11. Cincinnati 446
12. Michigan 399
13. South Carolina 376
14. Mississippi 351
15. Michigan State 318
16. Texas Christian 263
17. Arkansas 236
18. New Mexico 232
19. Syracuse 202
20. UCLA 196
21. Xavier 157
22. MARYLAND 134
23. Illinois 113
24. Temple 43
25. Oklahoma 41
MARYLAND IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
All Time NCAA Tournament Record: 17-14
Last Maryland Win: March 18, 1995
Last Maryland Win, Score: Texas, 82-68
Last Maryland Appearance: March 13, 1997
Last Maryland Loss, Score: Col. Of Charleston, 66-75
Gary Williams in the NCAA Tournament: 8-7 overall (4-4 at Maryland)
TERPS OVERALL IN NCAA APPEARANCES Maryland has an overall record of 17-14 (.548) in the NCAA Tournament. Maryland has won four of its last eight games and nine of its last 17 NCAA Tournament games.
TERPS IN NCAA TOURNAMENT- THE LAST EIGHT GAMES March 17, 1994 March 17, 1995 March 25, 1994 March 16, 1995 Maryland 74 Maryland 95 Michigan 78 Maryland 87 St. Louis 66 UMass 87 Maryland 71 Gonzaga 63 at Wichita, Kan at Wichita, Kan. at Dallas, Tex. At Salt Lake City, Utah
March 18, 1995 March 23, 1995 March 15, 1996 March 13, 1997 Maryland 82 UConn 99 Santa Clara 91 Col. Of Charleston, 75 Texas 68 Maryland 89 Maryland 79 Maryland 66 at Salt Lake City at Oakland, Cal. at Tempe, Ariz. At Memphis, Tenn.
TERPS BY REGION IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT In 14 appearances in the NCAA Tournament the Terps have played in six different regions. Maryland has won at 12 of the 14 NCAA Tournaments in which it has appeared. The Terps have won two games in five different tournaments -- 1958, 1975, 1985, 1994 and 1995. The Terps advanced to the Midwest Regional Finals in 1975, the Southeast Regional Semifinals in 1985, the Midwest Regional Semifinals in 1994 and the West Regional Semifinals in 1995.
East Region 4-3 (Last, 1980)
West Region 3-3 (Last, 1996)
Southeast Region 3-3 (Last, 1997)
Mideast Region 2-2 (Last, 1984)
Midwest Region 5-3 (Last, 1994)
Southwest Region 1-1 (Last, 1975)
TERPS BY ROUND IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT In 12 of the previous 14 NCAA Tournaments in which Maryland has played, it has won its opening round game. Maryland is 9-2 in first round games; 5-4 in second round games; 2-5 in regional semifinals and 0-2 in regional final games.
TERP COACHES IN NCAA TOURNAMENT Four different head coaches have led Maryland into the NCAA Tournament. H.A. "Bud" Millikan, who coached the Terps from 1950-51 through 1966-67, guided the Terps to the 1958 NCAA Tournament where the Terps earned a 2-1 record. Charles G. "Lefty" Driesell took the Terps to the NCAA Tournament eight times and led the Terps to a 10-8 record, while Bob Wade took the Terps to the 1988 NCAA Tournament and had a 1-1 record. Gary Williams has a 4-4 record while coaching the Terps in the NCAA Tournament.
GARY WILLIAMS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT Gary Williams has coached seven different teams at three different schools into the NCAA Tournament. He guided his 1983 and 1985 Boston College and 1987 Ohio State teams into the NCAA Championship field. In 1983, Williams led Boston College to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16" before losing to Ralph Sampson's Virginia Cavaliers. In 1985 Boston College reached the "Sweet 16" before losing to Memphis State. He coached the Terps into the "Sweet 16" in 1994 and 1995. Williams has an 8-7 record in the NCAA Tournament.
IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT Maryland is the only team in the 1998 NCAA Tournament which has defeated two No. 1 seeds. The Terps defeated Kansas (Dec. 7) and North Carolina (Jan. 14).
Terps In The NCAA Tournament
1958 East Semifinals 2-1
1973 East Finals 1-1
1975 Midwest Finals 2-1
1980 East Semifinals 1-1
1981 Mideast 2nd Round 1-1
1983 Midwest 2nd Round 1-1
1984 Mideast Semifinals 1-1
1985 Southeast Semifinals 2-1
1986 West 2nd Round 1-1
1988 Southeast 2nd Round 1-1
1994 Midwest Semifinals 2-1
1995 West Semifinals 2-1
1996 West First Round 0-1
1997 Southeast First Round 0-1
GARY WILLIAMS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
1983 Boston College 1-1
1985 Boston College 2-1
1987 Ohio State 1-1
1994 Maryland 2-1
1995 Maryland 2-1
1996 Maryland 0-1
1997 Maryland 0-1
GARY WILLIAMS
CAREER NUMBERS
Career 369 239 (.607)
Maryland 162 111 (.594)
ACC 65 75 (.464)
Non-Conf. 97 36 (.729)
ALL-TIME TERP LEADING SCORERS
IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
1) Len Bias 168 pts 9 gms
2) Adrian Branch 129 pts 7 gms
3) Joe Smith 125 pts 5 gms
4) John Lucas 111 pts 5 gms
5) John Rhodes 107 pts 7 gms
6) Keith Booth 97 pts 7 gms
7) Keith Gatlin 96 pts 9 gms
8) Duane Simpk 84 pts 7 gms
9) Albert King 82 pts 4 gms
10) Exree Hipp 81 pts 7 gms
11) Buck Williams 66 pts 4 gms
12) Greg Manning 66 pts 4 gms
13) Derrick Lewis 55 pts 7 gms
14) Owen Brown 53 pts 3 gms
14) Ben Coleman 53 pts 4 gms
F #25 Rodney Elliott (14.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg; 12 pts, 8 rebs vs. Col of Char, 3/13/97)
C #54 Obinna Ekezie (13.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg; 7 pts, 6 rebs vs. Col of Char, 3/13/97)
G #3 Laron Profit (16.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg; 16 pts, 3 asts vs. Col of Char, 3/13/97)
G #12 Terrell Stokes (5.2 ppg, 4.6 apg; 7 pts, 5 asts, vs. Col of Char, 3/13/97)
G #13 Sarunas Jasikevicius (12.2 ppg, 3.6 apg; 6 pts, 3 asts vs. C. Char, 3/13/97) ....AND TOP SUBS
F #44 Terence Morris (7.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg; First NCAA Tournament Game)
G #11 Matt Kovarik (2.4 ppg, 1.9 apg; 3 rebs, 3 asts vs. Col of Char, 3/13/97)
C #33 Mike Mardesich (5.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg; First NCAA Tournament Game)
F #21 LaRon Cephas (0.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg; First NCAA Tournament Game)
MARYLAND VERSUS UTAH STATE - A SERIES HISTORY
The Series: First Meeting
Last Maryland Win: First Meeting
Last Utah State Win: First Meeting
Last Maryland Win in NCAA Tourn: First Meeting
Last Utah State Win in NCAA Tourn: First Meeting
Maryland vs. Utah State Current Streak: First Meeting
Gary Williams vs. Utah State: First Meeting
TERPS IN THE ACC TOURN. - QUARTERFINAL ROUND VS. GA. TECH March 6, 1998, Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, N.C. Third-seeded Maryland swept the Yellow Jackets this season and beat them for the fifth straight time in the quarterfinal game of the ACC Tournament, 83-65. Maryland led by 10 points at halftime thanks to a 5-for-5 shooting effort from reserve Terence Morris, the strong inside play of Obinna Ekezie and a zone defense that seemed to confuse the Yellow Jackets. The defense also shut down Matt Harpring for the third straight game. The three-time All-ACC forward and league's second-leading scorer came into the game a combined 8-for-30 from the field in two previous meetings with Maryland. The senior started this one 1-for-6 as the Yellow Jackets fell into a hole. Maryland's lead reached 15 with 14 minutes left when Laron Profit converted on a three-point play, then sank consecutive 3-pointers 46 seconds apart.
TERPS IN THE ACC TOURN. - SEMIFINAL ROUND VS. N. CAROLINA March 7, 1998, Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, N.C. No. 4 North Carolina beat No. 21 Maryland 83-73 in overtime in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Shammond Williams scored 10 of his 25 points in overtime to lead the Tar Heels to the Atlantic Coast Conference finals for the seventh time in the 1990s. Rodney Elliott paced Maryland with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Williams made 2-of-3 free throws with four seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 66-66, then took over in overtime, scoring on a fastbreak layup, a shot in the lane, a 19-footer and four free throws. Ademola Okulaja also added a key 3-pointer in the extra period as the Tar Heels scored on every possession except the final one, when they ran out the clock after outscoring Maryland 17-7 in the extra period.
FOUR-TIME NCAA TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS Marylands 1998 fourth-year player class of Rodney Elliott and Sarunas Jasikevicius is only the third class in school history to participate in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Marylands senior classes of 1986 and 1997 participated in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
TOURNAMENT CONSISTENCY The Terps have won at least one game in 12 of their 14 NCAA tournament appearances including two of four during the Gary Williams era in College Park.
Laron Profit
Career Steals
182 (current)
+ 12 (needs)
194
(to move past Keith Booth
and into 2nd place
all-time in school history)
Laron Profit
Career Points
1,032 (current)
+ 33 (needs)
1,065
(to move past Kevin McLinton and into 29th place all-time in school history)
Terrell Stokes
Career Assists
360 (current)
+ 1 (needs)
361
(to move past Jeff Adkins
and into 9th place
all-time in school history)
Terrell Stokes
Career Steals
122 (current)
+2 (needs)
124
(to move past Ernie Graham
and into 7th place
all-time in school history)
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Career 3-Point Shots Made
127 (current)
+ 4 (needs)
131
(to move past Duane Simpkins
and into 4th place
all-time in school history)
Obinna Ekezie
Career Blocked Shots
89 (current)
+ 9 (needs)
98
(to move past Tony Massenburg
and into 7th place
all-time in school history)
UPCOMING MILESTONES TERPS FOUR-YEAR NCAA TOURNAMENT ROSTER Seniors Rodney Elliott and Sarunas Jasikevicius form only the second senior class in school history to participate in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. In addition, they become only the seventh and eighth players in school history to participate in four NCAA Tournaments during their careers.
The list: Jeff Baxter, (1983, 84, 85, 86); Len Bias, (1983, 84, 85, 86); Keith Booth, (1994, 95, 96, 97); Rodney Elliott, (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998); Keith Gatlin, (1984, 85, 86, 88); Sarunas Jasikevicius, (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998); Matt Kovarik, (1994, 95, 96, 97, 98); and Matt Raydo, (1994, 95, 96, 97).
ELLIOTT NAMED TO ACC TOURNAMENT SECOND TEAM Senior Rodney Elliott, who averaged 14.5 points and 9.0 rebounds during the 1998 ACC Tournament, was named to the all-tournament second team.
DOUBLE-DIGIT ACC VICTORIES IN PROGRAM HISTORY Maryland finished its ACC season in third place with 10 victories. It marks the second time under Gary Williams and the sixth time in program history that the Terps have won 10 or more ACC games in a single season.
Season ACC Record ACC Finish
1997-98 10-6 3rd
1994-95 12-4 T1st
1979-80 11-3 1st
1974-75 10-2 1st
1964-65 10-4 T2nd
1954-55 10-4 2nd
TERPS IN THE ACC IN THE LAST FIVE SEASONS Maryland has a cumulative record of 47-33 in the ACC in the last five seasons. The Terps 47 victories marks the most in a five-year period in their ACC history.
Season ACC Record
1998 10-6
1997 9-7
1996 8-8
1995 12-4
1994 8-8
Total 47-33
KOVARIK PLAYS ON FIVE UPPER ECHELON ACC TEAMS Redshirt senior Matt Kovarik has helped the Terps to a 101-54 overall record (65.1 winning percentage) and a 48-34 ACC record (58.5 winning percentage) in his five seasons in College Park. Kovarik is the first player in school history to play on five teams which finished in the upper half of the ACC standings. Kovarik has been a member of four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and played on Marylands regular season ACC championship team in 1995.
1997-98 Poll History
AP ESPN/USA
Pre-Season -- 23
Nov. 16 -- NP
Nov. 23 23 --
Dec. 1 23 --
Dec. 8 19 22
Dec. 15 22 20
Dec. 22 20 20
Dec. 29 20 18
Jan. 4 -- 18
Jan. 11 -- --
Jan. 18 -- --
Jan. 25 23 24
Feb. 2 25 --
Feb. 9 24 25
Feb. 16 25 --
Feb. 23 -- 25
March 2 21 24
March 9 20 22
ELLIOTT AND JASIKEVICIUS HAVE SEEN MUCH SUCCESS Seniors Rodney Elliott and Sarunas Jasikevicius have played on four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and helped the Terps to four consecutive top drawer ACC finishes. With Elliott and Jasikevicius in the lineup, Maryland won more than 62 percent of its ACC games (39 of 63) and finished first, third and fourth (twice) in the ACC standings.
MARYLANDS FIVE CONSECUTIVE UPPER ECHELON ACC FINISHES Marylands victory over Georgia Tech on Jan. 21 clinched third place in the ACC standings for the Terps. It marks the first time since the 1972-73 through 1976-77 seasons that the Terps have finished in the top half of the ACC standings in five consecutive seasons.
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MARYLANDS SENIOR CLASS HAS...
...Played in a school record five consecutive NCAA Tournaments;
...Finished in the top half of the ACC five times;
...Won 101 games;
...Lost only 11 times in Cole Field House;
...Played the nations No. 1-ranked team six times;
...Defeated the nations No. 1-ranked team twice;
...Played 52 games against teams ranked in the nations top 25;
...Been ranked among the nations top 25 for 53 weeks;
...Won one regular season ACC championship;
...Won four NCAA Tournament games;
...Played in the ACC Tournament semifinals three times.
ELLIOTT AND PROFIT EARN THIRD TEAM ALL-ACC HONORS Senior Rodney Elliott and junior Laron Profit earned third team All-ACC honors as announced by the league office this week. It marked the first time that Elliott had earned the honor and the second consecutive season that Profit had earned third-team All-ACC honors. Junior Obinna Ekezie was an honorable mention All-ACC selection while Terence Morris was an honorable mention All-ACC freshman team selection.
PROFIT HITS 1,000 CAREER POINT MARK Junior Laron Profit, who enters the NCAA Tournament with 1,032 career points, became the 33rd player in school history to reach the 1,000 career point plateau against Temple on Feb. 28. Profit, a junior, reached the mark, in his 86th career game, becoming the 13th junior to reach the mark and is tied with former All-American Keith Booth for 21st fastest player in school history to reach the mark.
Rank Points Player, Years Profit Needs to Pass 28. 1,087 by Keith Gatlin (1984-88) +56 29. 1,064 by Kevin McLinton (1989-93) +33 33. 1,032 by Laron Profit (1996-Present)
PROFIT MOVES INTO THIRD ALL-TIME ON CAREER STEALS LIST Junior Laron Profit enters the NCAA Tournament with 182 career steals. He enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament ranked in third place in school history and needs only 12 steals to move into second place.
Rank No. Player, SPG, Years Profit/to Pass 1. 344 by Johnny Rhodes (2.8 spg; 1993-1996) +171 2. 193 by Keith Booth (1.53 spg; 1994-97) +12 3. 182 by Laron Profit (2.08 spg; 1995-96 - Present)
1 Marylands strength of schedule is rated No. 1 by the RPI and the Sagarin Ratings.
1 Maryland is the only team in the nation to have defeated two teams which were ranked in the top five at the time of the game.
1 Maryland is the only team in the 1998 NCAA Tournament which has defeated two No. 1 seeds (North Carolina and Kansas).
11 Maryland has been ranked in 11 of the 17 ESPN/USA Today polls this season.
10 Maryland has played an ACC-high 10 teams which were ranked in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Top 25 polls at the time of the game.
12 Maryland has been ranked in 12 of the 18 Associated Press polls this season.
17 Maryland has played a national-high 17 games against teams ranked in the top 50 of the computer generated RPI.
2 Maryland is one of only two schools from the ACC which has played in each of the last five NCAA Tournaments.
4 Marylands senior class of Rodney Elliott and Sarunas Jasikevicius played in four consecutive ACC Tournament semifinal round games.
5 Maryland is playing in its school record fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament.
5.7 Junior Terrell Stokes is averaging 5.7 assists per game in his last 10 games.
8 Maryland played eight teams which are appearing in the 1998 NCAA Tournament this season.
10 Freshman Mike Mardesich grabbed his career-high of 10 rebounds against Florida State on Jan. 7 and Temple on Feb. 28. Both Florida State (12th seed in the Midwest Region) and Temple (7th seed in the West Region) were selected to play in the 1998 NCAA tournament.
19 Maryland is 19-0, undefeated, when it outscores it opponent.
40 Freshman Terence Morris shot 40 percent (two-of-five) from 3-point range in the ACC Tournament.
64.7 Freshman Terence Morris is shooting 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from the field in the last four games.
103 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament with a single season career-high 103 assists.
2,749 Marylands trip to Sacramento from College Park will cover 2,749 miles - the longest trip of any team in the NCAA Tournament. TERPS BY THE NUMBERS PROFITS SINGLE SEASON TOTAL IS THIRD BEST AT MARYLAND Junior Laron Profit enters the NCAA Tournament with a career-high 85 steals this season. His is tied for the second best single-season total in school history.
Rank No. Player, SPG, Year Profit/to Pass
1 110 by Johnny Rhodes (3.7, 1995-96) +30
T2. 85 by Johnny Rhodes (2.5, 1994-95)
85 by Laron Profit (2.9, 1997-98)
ELLIOTT ENJOYING HIS BEST SEASON Senior Rodney Elliott is enjoying his best season and is exceeding his career numbers in just about every category.
Season PPG RPG FG% BPG SPG MPG 1997-98 14.8 7.2 48.1 0.5 1.0 28.5 1996-97 8.6 6.2 48.3 0.4 0.5 23.3 1995-96 4.9 3.1 50.0 0.2 0.3 13.3 1994-95 1.4 1.5 50.0 0.4 0.2 5.5
AGAINST TEMPLE ON FEB. 28 OF THE REGULAR SEASON...
...Rodney Elliott grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds;
...Rodney Elliott scored a near-career-high 20 points;
...Rodney Elliott made a career-high 11 free throws;
...Rodney Elliott attempted a career-high 16 free throws;
...Rodney Elliott tied his season-high with four assists;
...Tied his career-high with 12 defensive rebounds.
ALL-ACC SELECTION RODNEY ELLIOTT ENJOYING HIS FINEST SEASON Senior Rodney Elliott, a third team All-ACC selection, has established single season career-highs in just about every statistical category this season.
Elliott has exceeded his previous bests in....
...Field goals made (151) and field goals attempted (314);
...3-point field goals made (25) and 3-point field goals attempted (65);
...Free throws made (101) and free throws attempted (146);
...Total points scored (428) and average points per game (14.6);
...Defensive rebounds (149);
...Blocked shots (14);
...Steals (28);
...Assists (46).
WHEN THIEVERY IS LEGAL Maryland enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament with 263 team steals - the fifth highest total in school history. Each of the top six single season steal totals in school history have come during the nine-year tenure of head coach Gary Williams. The Terps starters have combined for nearly as many steals (206) as their opponents (212) have totaled for the entire season. In addition, three of Marylands five starters are averaging more steals this season than they had been averaging for their careers entering the 1997-98 season.
Player 97-98 SPG Career SPG Improvement Laron Profit 2.9 1.6 +1.3 Sarunas Jasikevicius 1.3 0.6 +0.7 Rodney Elliott 1.0 0.4 +0.6 Obinna Ekezie 0.5 0.5 -- Terrell Stokes 1.3 1.3 --
ON MARYLANDS CAREER LISTS, LARON PROFIT RANKS...
...Third in steals with 182;
...Seventh in 3-point shots attempted, 243;
...Eighth in 3-point shots made, 80;
...Sixteenth in blocked shots, 56;
...Thirty-second in scoring, 1,032.
THIRD-TEAM ALL-ACC SELECTION LARON PROFIT BY THE NUMBERS
10 Junior Laron Profit has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games.
15 Junior Laron Profit averages 15.0 points in three games against North Carolina - the ACC champions and No. 1 seed in the East Region of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
15.4 Junior Laron Profit averages 15.4 points per game in Marylands 14 games against teams in the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
16 Junior Laron Profit is ranked 16th all-time at Maryland with 56 career blocked shots.
16.6 Junior Laron Profit is averaging 16.6 points in the last five games.
16.8 Junior Laron Profit is averaging 16.8 points in the last 10 games.
24 Junior Laron Profit scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against South Carolina, the sixth seed in the East Region of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
42.1 Junior Laron Profit has made 42.1 percent (eight of his last 19) of his 3-point shot attempts in the last four games.
79 Junior Laron Profit has made 79 career 3-point field goals.
85.1 Junior Laron Profit has hit 85.1 percent (23-of 27) of his free throws in the last five games.
201 Junior Laron Profit enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament with 201 career assists.
STOKES HOLDING ONTO THE BASKETBALL Junior Terrell Stokes enters the 1998 ACC Tournament with a 2.03:1 assist to turnover ratio for the season. In the last five games, he has 52 assists for an assist to turnover ratio of 2.17:1.
Season A TO A:TO
1995-96 85 40 2.1:1
1996-97 143 100 1.4:1
1997-98 132 60 2.2:1
Totals 360 200 1.8:1
STOKES ENTERS TOP 10 IN ASSISTS AND STEALS Junior Terrell Stokes enters the NCAA Tournament in eighth place in school history with 122 steals and tied for ninth place in school history with 360 assists. He is just one of seven players in school history to be ranked in the top 10 in the schools steals and assists career leader lists.
Player Assists, Rank Steals, Rank
Duane Simpkins 483, 3rd 120, 9th
Kevin McLinton 469, 6th 136, 7th
Dutch Morley 460, 5th 170, 5th
Johnny Rhodes 437, 5th 344, 1st
Walt Williams 410, 8th 175, 4th
Ernest Graham 346, T10th 123, 7th
Terrell Stokes 360, T9th 122, T9th
JASIKEVICIUS ON THE SINGLE SEASON LISTS Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius has made 52 3-point shots in 138 attempts this season. His 52 3-point shots made ranks as the fifth best single season total in school history. Jasikevicius 52 3-point shots made this season are a career-high.
JASIKEVICIUS WITH QUICK HANDS Junior Sarunas Jasikevicius has 37 steals this season which gives him 94 total for his career. He has dramatically improved his steals per game average in the last two seasons when compared to his freshman and sophomore seasons.
Years Steals SPG 1996-97/1997-98 75 1.23 1994-95/1996-97 19 0.3 Totals 94 0.9
THIRD-TEAM ALL-ACC SELECTION RODNEY ELLIOTT BY THE NUMBERS
3 Senior Rodney Elliott has scored double/doubles in points and rebounds in three of Marylands last five games entering the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
5 Senior Rodney Elliott is averaging a double/double of 15.0 points and 11 rebounds the last five games.
14 Senior Rodney Elliott has been credited with a career-high 14 blocked shots this season.
15.0 Senior Rodney Elliott is averaging 15.0 points and 11 rebounds in the last five games.
16 Senior Rodney Elliott recorded his first career ACC Tournament double/double of 16 points and 10 rebounds against North Carolina on March 7.
17 Senior Rodney Elliott grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds against Temple on Feb. 28.
21 Senior Rodney Elliott scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Kansas, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
28 Senior Rodney Elliott has blocked a career-high 28 shots this season.
46 Senior Rodney Elliott has been credited with a career-high 46 assists this season.
120 Senior Rodney Elliott has played in 120 career games entering the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
888 Senior Rodney Elliott has scored 888 career points entering the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
JASIKEVICIUS IS ALSO HOT FROM THE FREE THROW LINE Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius enters the 1998 ACC Tournament as one of four Terp regulars shooting above 70 percent from the free throw line for the season. Jasikevicius is the team leader with a 75.0 percent accuracy rate from the line.
Game Span FT Made FT Attempted FT Percentage Last 2 Games 8 9 88.9 Last 3 Games 10 11 90.9 last 5 Games 23 26 88.5
FRESHMAN MIKE MARDESICH...
...Tied his career-high with 10 rebounds against Temple on Feb. 28;
...Made 71.4 percent (five-of-seven) of his free throws in the last four games;
...Averaged 10.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in two games against Ga. Tech this season.
MORRIS HEATING UP AT RIGHT TIME Freshman Terence Morris, an honorable mention All-ACC freshman team selection, has saved his best for the stretch run of the season. He enjoyed his best month of the season in February and looks to be improving his game each time he steps onto the court.
MONTH-BY-MONTH WITH TERENCE MORRIS Freshman Terence Morris, an honorable mention All-ACC freshman team selection, averaged an inaugural season-high 7.9 points and 18.9 minutes per game during the month of February.
Month PPG RPG MPG
November 7.8 4.3 18.3
December 6.8 3.6 14.0
January 6.9 3.3 14.8
February 7.9 3.9 18.9
TERENCE MORRIS IN THE LAST 10 GAMES Freshman Terence Morris, an honorable mention All-ACC freshman team selection, has enjoyed a stellar last one-third of the season. In the last 10 games, he has produced very well statistically and has helped the Terps win seven games.
Games PPG RPG SPG FG%
Last 10 8.4 3.9 1.0 60.6
First 19 7.1 3.4 0.8 47.4
Improvement +1.3 +0.5 +0.2 +13.2
KEEPING EKEZIE IN THE GAME Junior Obinna Ekezies importance to the Terps is easily exhibited by the Terps record of success when the center keeps himself on the court for a majority of a game. When Ekezie is able to stay out of foul trouble, Maryland is successful as a team on the court.
# of Fouls Marylands Record
3 or Less 11-6
4 or More 8-4
5 (foul out) 2-3
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS VS. NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
5 Five of Marylands regulars (Profit, Elliott, Ekezie, Morris and Mardesich) are shooting above 70 percent from the free throw line against non-ACC opponents.
5 Five of Marylands regulars (Profit, Jasikevicius, Ekezie, Morris and Kovarik) are shooting 50 percent or better from the field against non-ACC opponents.
7.3 Maryland is enjoying a +7.3 rebound margin in its 11 games against non-conference opponents.
8 Maryland has an 8-3 record vs. non-conference opponents this season.
8.3 Senior Rodney Elliott is averaging 8.3 rebounds per game against non-ACC opponents.
17.7 Junior Laron Profit is averaging 17.7 points per game in 11 games against non-ACC opponents this season.
20.7 Maryland enjoys a +20.7 margin of victory against non-conference opponents this season.
37 Marylands starters (Profit, Elliott, Ekezie, Stokes and Jasikevicius) have blocked more shots, 37, in non-conference games than its opponents team total, 33.
37.9 Maryland is holding its 11 non-ACC opponents to 37.9 percent shooting from the field.
175 Marylands starters (Profit, Elliott, Ekezie, Stokes and Jasikevicius) have been credited with more assists, 175, in non-conference games than its opponents team total, 124.
EKEZIE KEEPING HIS FOULS DOWN Junior Obinna Ekezie is keeping his fouls per game down as his minutes per game are increasing this season. He enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament averaging a career-high 28.0 minutes, a career-high 13.2 points and a career-high 6.6 rebounds per game.
Season Fouls/Game Minutes/Game Points/Game 1997-98 3.1 28.0 13.2 1996-97 3.3 26.8 10.1 1995-96 2.6 15.4 4.5
EKEZIES OWN PERSONAL BLOCK PARTY Junior Obinna Ekezie enters the 1998 NCAA Tournament with a single-season career-high 36 blocked shots. He blocked a career-high six shots against Wake Forest on Feb. 19 and is fifth in the ACC in blocked shots with a 1.2 per game average.
EKEZIE JOINS TOP 10 ON BLOCKED SHOTS LIST Junior Obinna Ekezie has 36 blocks this season which gives him 89 for his career and places him in seventh place all-time at Maryland. He is only the 10th player in school history to have more than 80 career blocked shots.
Career Blocked Shots Ekezie Needs/Pass 1. 339 by Derrick Lewis (1984-88) +254 6. 97 Tony Massenburg (1985-90) +9 7. 89 by Obinna Ekezie (1995-P)
TERPS SIGN TWO PLAYERS ON FIRST DAY OF SIGNING PERIOD Maryland signed a pair of blue-chip high school players, guard Danny Miller and forward Lonnie Baxter, on the first day of the early National Letter of Intent signing period in November. At 6-6, Miller (Mt. Holly, N.J./Rancocas Valley H.S.) is rated as the 11th best high school prospect in the nation while the 6-8 Baxter (Rockville, Md./Hargrave Military Academy) is rated among the top 50.
MILLER NAMED AS MCDONALDS ALL-AMERICAN Danny Miller, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Terps next season, was recently named as a McDonalds All-American.
THE TOP 10 RECRUITING CLASSES IN THE EAST Marylands current recruiting class of Danny Miller and Lonnie Baxter has been ranked as the fourth best recruiting class in the east by Eastern Basketball Magazine. Miller was called a top guard who can offer instant help while Baxter was characterized as the kind of hard-nosed player all schools with ambitions of national prominence must possess.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS IN 1997-98
Overall Record: 19-10 When Outrebound Opponent: 11-3
ACC Record: 10-6 When Outrebounded by Opp: 7-8
Home Record: 12-2 When Rebounds are Equal: 0-0
Road Record: 4-5 When Leading at Half-time: 15-2
Neutral Site Record: 3-3 When Trailing at Half-time: 4-7
Day Games: 9-2 When Tied at Half-time: 0-1
Night Games: 10-8 When Shoot Better from Field: 15-4
In Home ACC Games: 6-2 When Shoot Worse from Field: 4-6
In Road ACC Games: 4-4 Versus a Ranked Opponent: 5-6
When Score At Least 80 Points: 11-0 When Score 100+ Points: 4-0
When Score Under 80 Points: 8-10
GARY WILLIAMS ON TELEVISION The Gary Williams television show can be seen locally on Home Team Sports at 5 p.m. on Fridays. Join host Johnny Holliday, Gary Williams and a special player guest each week to review the past games and look forward to upcoming games.
LEARFIELD/MARYLAND RADIO
All of Marylands games this season - home and away - will be heard live on the Learfield/ Maryland Radio Network. The Terps will be heard on the flagship stations, WBAL (1090-AM) and WMAL (630-AM), which combine to give Maryland one of the strongest combinations of broadcast signals of any collegiate basketball team in the nation. The Terps can now be heard from Maine to Florida. Johnny Holliday, now in his 19th season, is once again serving as the voice of the Terps. He is joined once again by former Terps all-star Greg Manning, currently in his 12th season with the broadcast team.
Flagship Stations
WBAL-AM Balt, Md. 1090
WMAL-AM Wash-D.C. 630
WAMD-AM Aberdeen 970
WI00-AM Carlisle, Pa. 1000
WTBO-AM Cumberland 1450
WSER-AM Elkton 1550 930
WFMD-AM Frederick 930
WARK-AM Hagerstown 1490
WMSG-AM Mtn Lake Pk 1050 1050
WKHW-FM Pocomoke Ct 106.5
WTGM-FM Salisbury 960
WTTR-AM Westminster 1470
Gary Williams/Radio Sportsline John Wagner, University System Radio-TV Director, provides actualities and interviews for radio for Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams. Stations can access these sound bites by calling the Sportsline at (301) 779-6397. Features will be available at noon on gamedays during the week, and Friday evening for weekend games.
GARY WILLIAMS ON RADIO The Gary Williams radio show can be heard on WTEM - Radio (570-AM) on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Gary Williams previews the upcoming week and looks back at the past week with Johnny Holliday as the host of the 30-minute show.
97-98 TERPS SCHEDULE
19-10, 10-6 ACC
N14 South Carolina (OT) L, 72-76
N18 F. Dickinson W, 81-70
N22 Mt. St. Marys W, 102-74
N25 Fla. International W, 117-70
D4 at Clemson (OT) L, 65-78
D7 Kansas W, 86-83
D8 G. Washington L, 66-70
D13 UMBC W, 104-66
D22 UNC-Asheville W, 110-52
D27 UNC-Wilmington W, 74-36
D30 at Missouri L, 79-83
J3 Duke L, 104-72
J7 Fla. State W, 81-74
J10 at N.C. State W, 68-65
J14 N. Carolina (OT) W, 89-83
J17 at Wake Forest L, 60-72
J21 at Georgia Tech W, 70-67
J24 Clemson W, 74-69
J29 at Duke L, 59-86
F1 Virginia W, 77-70
F7 at Fla. State W, 67-62
F11 N.C. State W, 78-63
F14 at N. Carolina L, 85-67
F19 Wake Forest L, 79-83
F21 Georgia Tech W, 81-69
F24 at Virginia W, 74-66
F28 Temple W, 83-66
M6 Georgia Tech W, 83-65
M7 N. Carolina (OT) L, 73-83
M12 Utah State (NCAA) TBA
ACC Standings (as of March 8, 1998)
ACC Overall
Team W L W L
Duke 15 1 29 3
UNC 13 3 30 3
TERPS 10 6 19 10
Wake 7 9 15 13
Clem. 7 9 18 13
G. Tech 6 10 17 13
Fl. St. 6 10 17 13
N.C. St. 5 11 16 14
UVa. 3 13 11 19
Gary Williams Career Record
Career 369-239 .607
at Maryland 162-111 .594
