Nov. 19, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Tuesday's exhibition game pits the visiting EA Sports All-Stars against the Maryland Terrapins. It is the last of two preseason games for the Terps. It is the 15th game in 19 days for EA Sports as they complete an exhibition tour through the southeastern United States.

Terps At Comcast
The game with EA Sports is the Terps' second at Comcast Center, following an exhibition win last Tuesday over the Harlem Globetrotters. Last week, Maryland outlasted the world-renowned barnstormers by a 97-79 final score, led by 32 points from senior sharp-shooter Drew Nicholas.

The Terps raced to an early lead, boasted a 45-41 halftime advantage, and overcame a brief tie at 66 to claim their first win in the new arena.

Joining Nicholas in the scoring column were Tahj Holden with 22 points, Steve Blake with 21 and Ryan Randle with 11. Holden and Randle led Maryland rebounders with 11 and eight, respectively, and Steve Blake dished a team-high six assists.

Five Senior Starters
Maryland's starting lineup against the Globetrotters included a quintet of seniors. The all-senior lineup included Blake, Holden, Nicholas, Randle and Calvin McCall. McCall enjoyed what was the first basketball start, though an unofficial one, of his two-sport college career.

In 14 minutes of action, McCall shot 1-of-4 from the floor while finishing with three points, three rebounds and two assists. He did not have a turnover.

About The EA Sports Southeast All-Stars
Tuesday's EA Sports All-Stars are a collection of former college stars who are completing a 15-game tour through the southeastern U.S., this month. With an 80-75 win at Wake Forest on Monday evening, the team is 7-7 leading into tonight's final game.

EA Sports began its tour with losses at Alabama and George Washington, but rebounded for four straight wins against Old Dominion, James Madison, Penn State and Kansas State. Since losing at North Carolina on Nov. 9, the All-Stars are 3-5 with their most recent wins over Temple (Nov. 16) and Wake Forest (Nov. 18).

The All-Stars' win over Temple last Saturday was in overtime. Last Wednesday, NC State escaped an overtime bout itself, when a last-second shot lifted the Wolfpack to a 60-58 win.

A Look To The Opening Week
Maryland opens the regular season with three straight home games at Comcast Center next week. Beginning on Sunday (5 p.m.) against the RedHawks of Miami (Ohio), the Terps officially begin the Comcast Center era of Maryland basketball.

Maryland plays on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday next week. After the opening game with Miami, Maryland plays host to The Citadel on Nov. 27 (8 p.m.) and Duquesne on Nov. 30 (8 p.m.).

When You Can't Make It To Comcast
For the first time in Maryland history, ALL games are televised live in the Baltimore-Washington TV market. Including exhibition games with the Globetrotters (ESPN2) and tonight's game with EA Sports (Comcast SportsNet), every preseason and regular season game will be televised to regional or national markets.

Looking ahead to next week, the Miami game airs on ESPN2. Maryland's bout with The Citadel is on Comcast SportsNet, and the Duquesne game airs on local channels as part of the ACC's regional TV package with Raycom-Jefferson Pilot.

Blake Awards Wagon
Steve Blake has been chosen as a preseason candidate for both the Wooden and Naismith national player of the year awards, as well as a preseason nominee for the Senior CLASS Award.

Last season, Maryland's Juan Dixon was the third-leading vote-getter for the Wooden Award. Dixon also was the very first recipient of the Senior CLASS Award, presented to the nation's most outstanding senior. The Senior CLASS Award was initiated by sportscaster Dick Enberg, and presented by the Kansas City Club.

Blake enters his senior campaign as the most experienced point guard in the country, playing in 107 games including 13 NCAA Tournament games. He has started 105 games during his career, and is 249 assists from becoming just the fourth player in NCAA history to amass 1,000 assists.

The Newcomers
While Maryland started five seniors in last week's game with the Globetrotters, a pair of returning sophomores mixed with five newcomers as 12 players saw limited action.

Freshmen Nik Caner-Medley and John Gilchrist saw the most extensive playing time, netting 18 and 12 minutes, respectively. Caner-Medley scored four points on 2-of-5 shooting, and pulled down four rebounds. Gilchrist was scoreless, though added one assist. Freshman Travis Garrison played eight minutes and junior college All-American Jamar Smith played six.