Terp Basketball Coach Thinks Big
4/27/2000 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 27, 2000
by Joel Huffer, Frederick News-Post
FREDERICK, Md. -- If Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams had his way, he would roll out the balls and begin practice for the upcoming season right now.
Of course, that's the way it is when you return five starters and all but one reserve from a team that won 25 games, finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and ended the year ranked No. 17 by The Associated Press.
"I'd like to start practice today," Williams said Wednesday night as he visited Frederick for one of the Terrapin Club's annual spring outings. "It gives you something to think about when you look at what we have coming back."
The Terrapins return first-team all-ACC performers Lonny Baxter and Juan Dixon, second-team pick Terence Morris and honorable-mention selection Steve Blake. Maryland's top four reserves also return and Byron Mouton, who sat out last season after transferring from Tulane, will be eligible.
"We have basically everybody from last year," Williams said. "You don't get everybody coming back that much anymore in college basketball, especially when one of them is a guy like Terence."
Morris, the 6-foot-9 forward from Thomas Johnson, averaged career highs in points (15.8) and rebounds (8.6) last season, but he passed on the riches offered in the NBA and chose to return to College Park for his senior season.
"I think Terence really showed some maturity with his decision. By coming back, he's going to be a better player, and he's going to be one of the top five players coming out next year," Williams said. "It's a tough decision to make as a junior. It's a tribute to his mom and people like Tom Dickman here in Frederick that he chose to stay."
Morris' presence is one of the main reasons the Terps have been projected as a Top 10 team heading into next season. College basketball analyst Dick Vitale has rated Maryland as the nation's fourth-best team behind Duke, Arizona and Florida.
Williams said a spot in the preseason Top 10 was fine with him.
"It looks like we're going to be picked there, and that's where you want to be. I'd rather be there with that kind of pressure than be on the outside trying to get into the Top 25," Williams said. "We play a tough schedule, and everybody will be out to beat us. But it gives us something to be proud of, something to defend."
Williams said the only recruit that has met NCAA qualifying standards is DeMatha's Matt Slaninka, who stands 7-foot-4.
About 230 people attended the event at the Elks Lodge on Willowdale Drive, according to District VI president Bob Stull. Stull said it was the best-attended spring event in the local chapter's history.
Maryland football coach Ron Vanderlinden and athletic director Debbie Yow also were present.
Andrew Plenn, executive director of the Terrapin Club, spoke highly of the Frederick County chapter and its efforts.
"In terms of putting on a lot of events, fun events, consistent events ... we can always count on Frederick," Plenn said. "We've got a great fan base up here and there's a tremendous amount of support. You can always count on a crowd of at least 200 people."
