Oct. 21, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland basketball team held its first open scrimmage on Saturday at Comcast Center. The Terps displayed a potent offense throughout the 40-minute game as head coach Gary Williams interchanged players between the red and black squads. The scrimmage consisted of four 10-minute periods and the two teams combined to score 171 points and shot 46 percent (61-of-131) from the field.
Greivis Vasquez opened the scoring with a three-point play on the opening possession. The freshman guard finished with 17 points and a team-high 10 assists, including a dramatic half-court shot to end the third period.
The Terps used the scrimmage to execute against full-court and half-court pressure. Coach Williams also used the session to work on attacking both zone and man-to-man defenses. Maryland connected on 15-of-36 three-point attempts, often employing an inside-outside attack.
Senior D.J. Strawberry led all scorers with 23 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists. Ekene Ibekwe tallied a team-high nine rebounds in the scrimmage. He also combined with Bambale Osby for four blocked shots in the first period.
Freshmen Landon Milbourne and Eric Hayes also turned in strong efforts. Milbourne finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Hayes showed a good grasp of the offense, playing both point guard and shooting guard. Hayes recorded 20 points, and went 4-of-4 from three-point range.
The Terps will host a second scrimmage for Maryland students on
Wednesday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. UM plays its first exhibition contest of the season on November 1, when the Terrapins take on California (Pa.) at 8:00 p.m.
Head Coach Gary Williams
On the scrimmage ...
"I think we're passing well at this stage of the season. We play in two weeks so there's not a lot of time, but we're pushing our defense early in practice. It was good to have a game with officials and give us something to look at on tape. The effort is there, and that's the big thing at this point."
On the progress of Hayes and Vasquez ...
"When you play a ball-handing position, it's a rush course and they don't have the luxury of time like some of the other positions do. We've done a lot of teaching with those two guys, but they have the ability and are continuing to get comfortable."
On Freshman Landon Milbourne ...
"He's doing real well. He doesn't say a whole lot, he just goes out there and plays. He has the opportunity to go against D.J. every day and practice and that's big for Landon. D.J. understands the offense real well and has been willing to help Landon along, which is key for us."
Freshman Greivis Vasquez
On his adjustment as a freshman ...
"I'm learning a lot. With four freshman, coach Williams is doing a lot of teaching and has been real patient with us. He has shown a lot of trust in us, so it's up to us to work hard, listen, and that's what it will take for us to be a good team."
On playing with freshman Eric Hayes ...
"We work real well together. We can both play either position in the backcourt which helps. I want to make my teammates better and get them involved in the game. He's such a good shooter that when I penetrate I can find him and he's able to knock down the open shot."
