Q&A With An All-American Candidate
12/16/1999 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 16, 1999
By Kevin Foley
Athletic Media Relations
GameDay: When did you first get involved with basketball?
GD: What was your initial impression of Coach Williams the first time that you met him?
TM:
I used to watch him on television. (He laughs) He was kind of crazy on TV, but when I first met him, he was really cool. Coach told me what to expect if I came to Maryland, but he was a great guy when I met him. He is just an intense person-that's how he is. When I came to Maryland, he was tough on me in practice, but everything he says is positive in my mind because it is helping my game.
GD: What NBA player would you compare your game and/or personality to?
TM:
I don't really see my game as similar to any NBA player. If I had to choose one, I'd say Anfernee Hardaway because he is an all-around player. He can do almost anything out on the court and he can completely take over games. Both of us can bring the ball down the court, if I have to, and I like to think that I am pretty versatile.
GD: Who is the best athlete at the University of Maryland across all sports?
TM:
I really haven't seen everyone in the athletic program, but I would have to say that LaMont Jordan is as good as it gets. He is a great guy and shows his ability on the field. He has had a great year and accomplished a lot. In my opinion, he is one of the best players in college football.
GD: Do you enjoy it when random students approach you on campus to talk basketball?
TM:
I don't mind at all. I think it's fun when people come up to me and have an opinion about something. I try to be an average student and I don't look at myself as any higher or lower than anyone else. If they ask me a question, I have no problem talking to them.
GD: What about playing with students at the Campus Recreation Center?
TM:
(Laughing) It's pretty fun playing there. For some people, when they score on me or grab a rebound near me, it's a big thing. Everyone wants to get into the games and play their best. It is something fun to do, but I play just the same as if it were a real game. I want to win no matter where I am playing.
GD: Now that Steve, Laron and Obinna are gone to the NBA, will it be hard to carry this program on your shoulders this season?
TM:
I don't feel as if I need to take anyone on my shoulders this year. The team is very talented and even though we are young, we can get back to where we were last year. I feel that we are underrated, but now we can surprise a lot of teams. We beat ourselves up everyday in practice, now that these first few games are here, we can beat other players up.
GD: Do you feel that you are the team leader this season?
TM:
I don't look just at myself as being the team leader. Mike [Mardesich] is also a very strong voice in the locker room. We've been through a lot since we first arrived here, but along with Matt [Hahn] and LaRon [Cephas], we are ready to help out the younger guys to get them prepared. We all want to be on the same page and be ready when the season gets rolling.
GD: What are your thoughts about TerenceMorris.com?
TM:
It's pretty funny. I went on the site the first day that it came out and it was pretty cool. Once the season starts, I will go on and respond to the questions. Whenever I get a chance, I have no problem going on the site to see what people are saying and touch base with the Maryland fans. It is pretty a cool thing to have.
GD: Is it difficult to balance classes with the rigorous schedule of the basketball season?
TM:
If you look at it, I would have to say that academics are the main priority because without the grades you can't play. It's a strong point that athletes have to take a lot of time away from classes, but the main focus should be academics. Schoolwork is something that you can always use in your real life and that is important to me. Games and practices make that harder for many athletes, but it should be the most important priority.
GD: Who is the best player in college basketball this coming season?
TM:
There are a lot of great players out there such as [Auburn's] Chris Porter and [Texas'] Chris Mihm.
GD: Is Terence Morris in your top five?
TM:
(Confident smile) He's got to be. That's the way I feel, you have to be confident. You need to look at yourself as the best player out on the court and if you don't, you're already giving your opponent an edge.
