Jan. 23, 1998

Terps Play Host to Clemson, Looking to Win Fifth Game in Last Six Outings

Maryland Terrapins (11-6, 4-3 Acc) Vs. No. 23 Clemson Tigers (11-6, 3-3 Acc)
Saturday January 24, 1998; 4:00 P.M.
Cole Field House/14,500
College Park, Maryland
Learfield/Maryland Radio Network
ESPN2 National Broadcast
Jefferson Pilot Regional Broadcast

• Maryland's schedule is rated No. 1 in the nation in terms of strength by the NCAA RPI Report;
• Maryland is ranked 13th in the latest NCAA RPI Power Ratings Report.

TERPS PLAY HOST TO CLEMSON IN ACC BATTLE
Maryland plays host to Clemson in an ACC match-up of the conference's third and fourth place teams. The Terps are looking to win their third conference game here in Cole Field House. Previously, the Terps defeated then No. 13 Florida State (81-74 on January 7) and then No. 1 North Carolina (89-83 in OT on January 14). A year ago, Maryland had a 5-3 ACC record in games played in Cole. The Terps were undefeated, 8-0, in conference home games during the 1995-96 season. Maryland enters today's game with an 11-6 overall record -- it is 8-1 in home games, 2-3 in road games and 1-2 on neutral courts. Maryland has won two conference road games -- defeating N.C. State in Raleigh, 68-65 (January 10) and winning at Georgia Tech, 70-67 (January 21). Maryland and Clemson battled in an overtime game on December 4, with the Tigers winning, 78-65.

• More steals (133) than their opponents' total team total (132);
• More blocked shots (51) than their opponents' team total (51);
• More assists (247) than their opponents' team total (232);

TERPS HAVE WON FOUR OF THE LAST FIVE
Maryland has won four of its last five games entering today's game versus Clemson. During that stretch, the Terps have won at N.C. State and Georgia Tech and defeated then. No. 1 North Carolina and then No. 13 Florida State.

• Have defeated two teams ranked in the nation's top five this season;
• Have defeated a No. 1 (North Carolina) and a No. 2 (Kansas) ranked team this season.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT
The Terps are 3-0 this season while playing in the afternoon. The stretch includes victories over then No. 2 Kansas, UNC - Wilmington and N.C. State.

TEACHER EDGING STUDENT
After working together at Ohio State during the 1986-87 season, Gary Williams has won five of the nine meetings between the two head coaches.

TWO YEARS AGO TODAY...
The Terps defeated Clemson, 65-60, on January 24, 1995. The win was the second consecutive in a stretch that would see the Terps win five of six games. The Tigers were ranked 15th at the time of the game.

PROFIT WITH TENTH BEST ALL-TIME STEAL TOTAL
Junior Laron Profit enters today's game against Clemson with 56 steals in 17 games, a 3.3 average, which is No. 10 on Maryland's single season school record list. His 57 steals last season is tied for the eighth best single season total. He is one of three players in school history to hold at least two of the top ten single season steals totals in school history.

Rank    Player (Steals, Year)           Rank    Player (Steals, Year)
1.      Johnny Rhodes (110, 1995-96)    7.      Walt Williams (60, 1991-92)
2.      Johnny Rhodes (85, 1994-95)     T8.     Walt Williams (57, 1989-90)
3.      Johnny Rhodes (78, 1993-94)             Laron Profit (57, 1996-97)
4.      Johnny Rhodes (71, 1992-93)     10.     Laron Profit (56, 1997-98)
T5.     Keith Booth (64, 1996-97)
        Dutch Morley (64, 1979-80)

PROFIT SECOND ALL-TIME AMONG JUNIORS
Laron Profit's 56 steals entering today's game against Clemson is the second best ever total by a Maryland junior. Johnny Rhodes, the all-time ACC leader in steals, had 85 steals as a junior during the 1994-95 season.

ELLIOTT MATCHES TOTAL OF FIRST THREE SEASONS
Senior Rodney Elliott has scored 15 three-point shots this season, which matches his total combined output from his first three seasons.

Season      3FGM   3FGA   3FG%
1997-98      15     32    46.9
1995-97      15     54    27.8
Improvement              +19.1 %

ELLIOTT WITH A CAREER-HIGH SCORING AVERAGE
Senior Rodney Elliott has scored a near career-high 257 points in 17 games this season for a career-high 15.1 points per game average. Elliott scored a career high 275 total points last season for an 8.6 points per game average.

Season     Points  Games    PPG
1997-98     257     17     15.1
1996-97     275     32      8.6

EKEZIE CLEARING THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
Junior Obinna Ekezie has grabbed more offensive rebounds (seven) than defensive rebounds (five) in the last two games.

3 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius was three-for-three from the free throw line with 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock against Georgia Tech to give the Terps their 70-67 victory Wednesday night.

3 Senior Rodney Elliott has recorded three double/double this season- against Florida International, Kansas and UNC - Wilmington.

7 Junior Obinna Ekezie is ranked seventh all-time at the University of Maryland with a 52.7 career field goal percentage.

7 Senior guard Matt Kovarik has seven assists and only three turnovers in the last four games.

3.3 Junior Laron Profit enters today's game versus Clemson with a career-high 3.3 steals per game average.

11 Maryland is 11-0, undefeated, when it outscores its opponent.

25 Junior center Obinna Ekezie has a career-high 25 assists this season.

45.9 Junior guard Terrell Stokes is shooting a career-high 45.9 percent (28-61) from the field this season.

56 Laron Profit enters today's game against Clemson with nearly as many steals (56) as the entire Wake Forest team (68).

66.7 Freshman Terence Morris has hit two of three shots from three-point range in the last two games.

PROBABLE STARTERS FOR MARYLAND....
F #25 Rodney Elliott (15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg; 10 pts, 5 rebs vs. Clem, 2/8/97)
C #54 Obinna Ekezie (13.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg; 20 pts, 10 rebs vs. Clem, 3/7/97)
G #3 Laron Profit (16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg; 14 pts, 6 rebs vs. Clem, 2/8/97)
G #12 Terrell Stokes (5.3 ppg, 3.9 apg; 17 pts, 4 asts vs. Clem, 3/7/97)
G #13 Sarunas Jasikevicius (12.5 ppg, 4.0 apg; 14 pts, 1 reb vs. Clem, 3/7/97)
....AND TOP SUBS
F #44 Terence Morris (6.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg; 6 pts, 2 rebs vs. Clem 12/4/97)
G #11 Matt Kovarik (3.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg; 2 pts, 2 stls vs. Clem, 1/15/97)
C #33 Mike Mardesich (6.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg; 6 pts. 4 rebs vs. Clem 12/4/97)
F #21 LaRon Cephas (0.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg; 4 pts, 9 rebs vs. UMBC 12/13/97)

TODAY'S OFFICIALS
Tonight's referee is Karl Hess and the umpires are Duke Edsall and Gerald Boudreaux.

MARYLAND VERSUS CLEMSON- THE SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
The Series: Maryland leads, 68-41
Last Maryland Win: March 7, 1997; 76-61
Last Clemson Win: December 4, 1997; 78-65
Last Maryland Win at Cole Field House: January 24, 1996; 65-60
Last Clemson Win at Cole Field House: January 15, 1997; 67-63
Maryland vs. Clemson, Current Streak: Clemson has won 1
Maryland vs. Clemson, Last Ten: Clemson leads, 6-4
Gary Williams vs. Clemson Career: 8-11 (at Maryland)

Dec. 4, 1997    March 7, 1997   Feb. 8, 1997    Jan. 15, 1997
at Clemson 78   Maryland 76     at Clemson 68   Clemson 67
Maryland 65     Clemson 61      Maryland 60     at Maryland 63
                at ACC Tourn.

TERPS AGAINST CLEMSON - THE LAST TIME
Clemson 78, Maryland 65; December 4, 1997
Terrell McIntyre scored six of his 21 points in overtime as 16th-ranked Clemson held Maryland scoreless in the extra session en route to a 78-65 victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both schools. Greg Buckner had 21 points and seven rebounds for Clemson (4-2). McIntyre, who had nine assists and nine rebounds, sank the game-tying free throw in regulation before teammate Tony Christie missed a three-pointer as time expired. The Terrapins (3-2) had their three-game winning streak snapped. Rodney Elliott scored 16 for Maryland.

TERPS LAST TIME OUT - DEFEAT GEORGIA TECH
Maryland 70, Georgia Tech 67; January 21, 1998
Sarunas Jasikevicius broke a tie with 1.1 seconds left, canning three consecutive free throws, and Maryland held off a late charge by Georgia Tech 70-67 Wednesday night. Tech (12-6, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) had tied it with 5.4 seconds left on a layup by Matt Harpring at 67-67, but the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer then fouled Jasikevicius, who was attempting a desperation 3-point attempt as time was running out.

• Field goal percentage (46.8 percent);
• Points per game (12.5);
• Rebounds per game (3.1);
• Assists per game (4.0).

LUCKY 13 FOR JASIKEVICIUS
Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius has hit at least one three-point field goal in 13 consecutive games.

Terps by the Numbers in ACC Games Only

1.1 Junior Terrell Stokes is averaging 1.1 steals per game in ACC games.

1.3 Junior Laron profit is averaging 1.3 blocks per game in ACC games. He averages 1.0 blocks per game for the entire season.

3.4 Junior Laron Profit is averaging 3.4 steals per game in seven ACC games. He averages 3.3 steals per game for the entire season.

8 Maryland recorded an ACC season-high eight blocks against Florida State on January 7.

8 Eight different players are averaging in double figures in minutes played in ACC games.

12 Maryland recorded a ACC season-high of 12 steals against Florida State on January 7.

24 Junior Laron Profit has more steals (24) than fouls (16) in ACC games.

52.4 Junior Terrell Stokes is shooting 52.4 percent from the field in ACC games. That is an improvement from his season long shooting percentage of 45.9.

53.6 Senior Rodney Elliott is shooting 53.6 percent (37-69) from the field in ACC games. He is shooting 50.9 percent from the field overall for the season.

75.0 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius is shooting 75.0 (15-20) from the free throw in ACC games.

80.0 Junior Terrell Stokes is shooting 80.0 percent (12-15) from the free throw line in ACC games.

EKEZIE RANKS SEVENTH BEST ALL-TIME IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Junior Obinna Ekezie enters today's game versus Clemson ranked seventh all-time in school history in field goal shooting percentage. His 52.7 percent career shooting percentage ranks only 2.3 percentage points behind former Terp All-American Joe Smith, who shot 55.0 percent during his two-year career.

Rank Pct.   Player, Year
1.   61.5   Buck Williams, 1978-81
2.   58.3   Greg Manning, 1977-81
3.   57.6   Lawrence Boston, 1975-78
4.   55.5   Tom McMillen, 1971-74
5.   55.1   Larry Gibson, 1975-79
6.   55.0   Joe Smith, 1994-95
7.   52.7   Obinna Ekezie, 1996-Present

MORRIS LIGHTING THE SCOREBOARD
Freshman Terence Morris has scored in double figures in two of the last three games. He is averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds during those games. He scored his ACC career-high of 13 points against Georgia Tech on Wednesday night as the Terps defeated the Yellow Jackets, 70-67.

MARDESICH REALLY COMING ON
Redshirt freshman Mike Mardesich has played extremely well in the Terps' most recent five games. He is averaging more points, rebounds and minutes in the last five games when compared to the first 12 games of the season. During the five-game stretch, he is shooting 45.9 percent from the field and scored a season-high 12 points against then No. 1 North Carolina on January 14.

Category        First 12  Last 5
Points/Game         5.8     7.0
Rebounds/Game       4.6     5.8
Minutes/Game       24.5    30.0

STOKES' ASSIST AVERAGE SKYROCKETING
Junior Terrell Stokes dished out six assists against Georgia Tech and five against Wake Forest. He is averaging 4.0 assists per game in the last four contests and has raised his season average to 3.9 per game.

Category              First 12  Last 5
Assists/Game             3.8      4.0
Minutes/Game            24.5     30.0
Assist:Turnover Ratio  1.8:1    2.5:1

TERPS SECOND IN THE ACC IN TEAM STEALS
Maryland enters today's game versus Clemson ranked second in the ACC with a 10.1 steals per game average. Led by junior Laron Profit's six steals against Georgia Tech, the Terps reached double figures in steals (11) for the ninth time this season. The Terps produced a season-high 22 steals against UNC-Asheville on December 22. The 22 steals against UNC-Asheville are a school record.

PROFIT ENTERS GAME AGAINST CLEMSON AS ACC STEALS LEADER
Junior Laron Profit is averaging a career-high 3.3 steals per game entering today's game versus Clemson. He is averaging nearly one steal more per game than the second place player (2.4) in the league statistics. Profit is the only player in the league with 50 or more steals.

1) "This new, big kid, 7-foot Mike Mardesich, knows how to move around the basket and has a nice touch. And freshman Terence Morris, who came off the bench to score 10 points and shake off a case of rookie jitters to hit a key free throw down the stretch, is in the same raw talent class with Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter."

Michael Wilbon
Washington Post
January 14, 1998

2) "I could see in Terence Morris' and Mike Mardesich's eyes that there was no fear. Mardesich stepped up for us big time. He wanted the ball down the stretch."

Gary Williams
University of Maryland
January 14, 1998

3) You also have to like what you've seen of Morris, a 6-8 forward out of Frederick, Md. He's a great leaper (the Terps lobbed the ball in to him twice against Carolina for dunks), he can step back and shoot the three -- what more could you want."

Dan Daly
Washington Times
January 16, 1998

4) The Terrapins won by outrebounding North Carolina by a 39-32 margin. They won by shooting 51 percent (75 percent in overtime) the first North Carolina opponent to shoot better than 50 percent in 37 games. And they won with the help of a 3-2 zone that slowed the Tar Heels' high flying offense."

Josh Barr
Washington Post
January 15, 1997

TERPS AS ACC STEALS LEADERS
Junior Laron Profit is bidding to become only the third player in school history to lead the ACC in steals per game. Johnny Rhodes, the all-time ACC leader in total steals and steals per game, led the conference during the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons. Rhodes's 3.7 steals per game during the 1996 season is the all-time league record for steals in a game in a single season. Dutch Morley, who played for the Terps from 1979-82, led the conference is steals during the 1980 season. Morley had 64 steals in 31 games, a 2.1 steals per game average.

ELLIOTT ON THE BOARDS IN THE LAST TWO SEASONS
Senior Rodney Elliott is averaging more than six rebounds a game for the second consecutive season.

Seasons     Rebounds/Games      RPG
First 2         137/59          2.3
Last 2          312/49          6.4

• Junior Obinna Ekezie needs 17 minutes played for 1,800;
• Junior Obinna Ekezie needs 7 field goals for 250;
• Junior Obinna Ekezie needs 1 free throw made for 200;
• Senior Rodney Elliott needs 2 free throws attempted for 250;
• Senior Rodney Elliott needs 1 rebound for 450;
• Junior Terrell Stokes needs 4 field goals for 150;
• Junior Terrell Stokes needs 2 three-point shots made for 50;
• Junior Terrell Stokes needs 2 free throws attempted for 175;
• Junior Terrell Stokes needs 7 assists for 300;
• Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs 13 field goal attempts for 600;
• Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs 6 three-point shot attempts for 300;
• Junior Laron Profit needs 6 three-point shots attempted for 200;
• Junior Laron Profit needs 2 rebounds for 350;

ELLIOTT ENJOYING CAREER-BEST SEASON
Senior Rodney Elliott is enjoying his finest season as a Terp. He enters today's game versus Clemson averaging career-bests in nearly every statistical category.

Season      PPG  RPG   MPG  FG%    3PFG%    APG  SPG
1997-98    15.1  6.8  28.1  50.9    46.9    1.7  1.0
1996-97     8.6  6.2  23.3  48.3    24.0    1.2  0.5
1995-96     4.9  3.1  13.3  50.0    33.3    0.4  0.3
1994-95     1.4  1.5   5.5  50.0    20.0    0.4  0.2

EKEZIE JOINS TERPS' SHOT BLOCKING ELITE
Junior Obinna Ekezie enters today's game against Clemson with 70 career blocks. His 70 blocks places him 12th among the all-time Maryland leaders. Derrick Lewis is the all-time Terp leader with 339 career blocked shots.

Rank  Blocks    Player, Years               Ekezie Needs To Pass
9.      81      Walt Williams, 1988-92          +12
10.     75      Ben Coleman, 1982-84             +6
11.     72      Keith Booth, 1994-97             +3
12.     70      Obinna Ekezie, 1995-Present

LEARFIELD RADIO - THE MARYLAND RADIO NETWORK
All of Maryland's games this season - home and away - will be heard live on the Learfield/Maryland Radio Network.

The Terps will be heard on the flagship stations, WBAL (1090-AM) and WMAL (630-AM) which combine to give Maryland one of the strongest combination of broadcast signals of any collegiate basketball team in the nation. The Terps can now be heard from Maine to Florida.

Johnny Holliday, now in his 19th season, will once again serve as the voice of the Terps. He is joined once again by former Terps all-star Greg Manning, currently in his 12th season with the broadcast team.

Maryland Radio Network
Flagship Stations
WBAL-AM Balt, Md.           1090
WMAL-AM Wash-D.C.            630
WAMD-AM Aberdeen             970
WI00-AM Carlisle, Pa.       1000
WTBO-AM Cumberland          1450
WSER-AM Elkton              1550
WFMD-AM Frederick            930
WARK-AM Hagerstown          1450
WMSG-AM Mtn Lake Pk         1050
WKHW-FM Pocomoke Ct        106.5
WTGM-FM Salisbury            960
WTTR-AM Westminster         1470

GARY WILLIAMS MARYLAND'S RADIO SPORTSLINE
John Wagner, University System Radio-TV Director, provides actualities and interviews for radio for Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams. Stations can access these sound bites by calling the Sportsline at (301) 779-6397. Features will be available at noon on gamedays during the week, and Friday evening for weekend games.

• Scored the basket that sent the January 14th game into overtime with 46.2 seconds remaining in regulation;
• Played a career-high 34 minutes;
• Scored a career-high tying 12 points;
• Grabbed a career-high seven defensive rebounds;
• Dished out a career-high tying three rebounds;
• Scored a career-high tying five field goals;
• Scored a career-high tying two free throws made.

PROFIT MOVING UP STEALS LIST II
Junior Laron Profit has 153 career steals entering today's game versus Clemson. His 153 career steals ranks him fifth all-time at Maryland.

Rank    No. Player, SPG, Years                         Profit/to Pass
1.      344 by Johnny Rhodes (2.8 spg; 1993-1996)          +192
2.      193 by Keith Booth (1.53 spg; 1994-97)              +41
3.      175 by Walt Williams (1.7 spg; 1988-92)             +23
4.      170 by Dutch Morley (1.4 spg; 1978-82)              +18
5.      153 by Laron Profit (1.95 spg; 1995-96 - Present)

TERPS SIGN TWO PLAYERS ON FIRST DAY OF SIGNING PERIOD
Maryland signed a pair of Blue-Chip high school players, guard Danny Miller and forward Lonnie Baxter, on the first day of the early National Letter of Intent signing period. At 6-6, Miller (Mt. Holly, N.J./Rancocas Valley H.S.) is rated as the 11th best high school prospect in the nation while the 6-8 Baxter (Rockville, Md./Hargrave Military Academy) is rated among the top 50.