Terps Face Catamounts In 2K Regional Championship
11/8/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2006
• Maryland opened the 2006-07 season with a 102-75 victory over Hampton in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The victory puts the Terrapins and Vermont Catamounts in the regional championship on Wednesday (November 8).
• The Terrapins and Catamounts have never met on the hardwood.
• The winner of Wednesday's regional championship advances to Madison Square Garden for the Championships rounds November 16-17.
• Three of the last five national champions have participated in the College Hoops Classic, including Maryland (2002), Syracuse (2003), and Florida (2006).
• Senior D.J. Strawberry tied his career high with 19 points. He finished 7-of-10 from the field and went 5-of-7 from the foul line. Strawberry added seven rebounds, three assists, and five steals in the win. His five steals moved him into 12th place on the school's all-time steals list (138).
• Ekene Ibekwe recorded his seventh career double-double. The senior forward scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the victory. It was the 12th time in his career he recorded at least 10 rebounds.
• Dave Neal scored a career-high eight points and grabbed a personal-best eight rebounds on Tuesday. The sophomore forward finished 1-of-4 from the field, and knocked down 6-of-6 free throw attempts. He added one assist and one steal in 15 minutes against Hampton.
• Freshman Greivis Vasquez scored 12 points and added three rebounds in his regular-season debut. Junior Bambale Osby made his debut with the Terrapins and scored nine points in 14 minutes of action.
• The win over Hampton moved head coach Gary Williams into a tie for third place with Bobby Cremins for most wins at an ACC school. Williams has posted a record of 354-191 (.650) in College Park and 561-319 (.638) overall. Maryland is now 15-3 in season openers under Williams, and 12-0 when the first game of the year is played at home.
• Maryland's 102-75 win over Hampton marked the second consecutive season in which the Terps have scored at least 100 points to open the season. The Terrapins opened the 2005-06 season with a 111-85 victory at home over Fairleigh Dickenson.
• Senior Mike Jones knocked down the team's only three-point shot of the game. Jones finished the game with 13 points and five rebounds. Maryland has now made at least one three-point shot in 252 consecutive games.
• The Terrapins knocked down 39 of 54 free throws against Hampton. Maryland's 39 made free throws was the third most in school history.
• Maryland enjoyed an advantage inside, as the Terps outscored Hampton 52-16 in the paint. The Terrapins were also able to use their depth as Maryland scored 46 points off the bench. All 13 players who dressed for Maryland saw action against the Pirates.
• The Terps return to action on Sunday (Nov. 12) when they host Florida A&M at Comcast Center.
