Postcards from Minneapolis: Day 3
3/30/2001 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 30, 2001
Day 3 Photo Gallery | Previous Postcards
Here's the third report from Maryland media relations assistant directors Stephanie Mociun and Jason Yellin, who are filing daily reports from Minneapolis throughout the Final Four. They are giving and inside look at the team and the events surrounding the Terps' first-ever Final Four.
March 30, 2001 -- Minneapolis, Minn.
8:30 a.m. -- Maryland's ticket will call booths open at the Metrodome. More than half of the Terps' allotment of 4,500 were picked up during the next 10 hours. Among the celebrities and alums who will be on hand at the Final Four with Maryland ties are the following: former NFL quarterback Warren Moon, former Terp footballer and current Vikings coach Mike Tice, former basketball players: Len Elmore, Ben Coleman, Exree Hipp, Matt Kovarik and Matt Hahn.
10:30 a.m. -- The team went to practice at Concordia University in St. Cloud. It was an intense practice, as the team continued its final preparations for Duke and its first Final Four appearance.
12:30 p.m. -- The team arrived at the Metrodome ready for their team practice for the fans. The team hit the floor at 1 p.m. to a rousing throng of more than 25,000 fans. Head coach Gary Williams ran the Terps through a bunch of drills and the team enjoyed the atmosphere at the Metrodome.
2:00 p.m. -- Maryland returned to the lockerroom and the media was set loose on the Terps. More than 150 media members from across the country jammed into the lockerroom interviewing all 13 members of the Terps and several of the assistant coaches. It was a who's who of college basketball media members.
Meanwhile, Gary Williams was taken to the post-practice press conference in the media interview room. Following Williams, Juan Dixon and Steve Blake were brought to the interview room for their press conference.
After 45 minutes of questions from the media, the Terps lockerroom was closed. But that wasn,t it for media interviews Williams headed to the CBS set, where he filmed a segment with Duke's coach Mike Krzyzewski. After Williams was done, Terence Morris and Lonny Baxter met up with CBS for their pre-game interviews.
Around 3:45, it was back to the hotel for the Terps and some quiet time and dinner.
7:00 p.m. The NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) held its annual basketball all-star game against the Harlem Globetrotters at the Target Center. About 15,000 fans hit downtown Minneapolis to see the Trotters take on a team that featured the likes of Iowa's Dean Oliver and Kansas' Eric Chenowith.
The downtown area in Minneapolis was hopping as the Final Four weekend hits its stretch run on Saturday. Banners are on the lightposts through the city and several basketball displays are scattered throughout.
9:00 p.m. -- A grand Maryland Pep Rally was co-hosted by the Terrapin Club and the Maryland Alumni Association in the ballroom. More than 2,000 Terrapin supporters showed up -- most of them in red. The fans cheered throughout as the band played and cheerleaders showed tons of spirit.
With Johnny Holliday serving as master of ceremonies, the night was a blast. At 10:30, Gary Williams spoke to the fans and thanked them for their support during the season. The crowd cheered wildly for the coach.
Following Williams, President C.D. Mote., Jr. showed his support and thanked the fans for their support as well.
Then, history was made as St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman proclaimed Saturday, March 31 as "Maryland Terrapins Day" in the city of St. Paul.
The night continued with fans dancing and having a great time in anticipation of the first Final Four game for the Terps on Saturday.
Surely, Terp fans were having Final Four dreams heading in Saturday.
