Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball
4/9/2013 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 21, 1997
No. 20 Maryland Plays Host to UNC - Asheville in Final Game Before Holiday Break
All-America Candidate Profit Enjoying Top Season; Morris and Mardesich Enjoying Fine Inaugural Seasons
- No. 20 Maryland Terrapins (5-3, 0-1 Acc) vs UNC Asheville Bulldogs (5-4, 0-0 Bs)
- Monday December 22, 1997; 7:30 P.M.
- Cole Field House/14,500
- College Park, Maryland
- Learfield/Maryland Radio Network
TERPS PLAY HOST TO UNC-ASHEVILLE AS EXAM PERIOD ENDS
Following the fall semester exam period, which ran from Monday (Dec. 15) through Saturday (Dec. 20), Maryland resumes its schedule tonight as it plays host to UNC-Asheville. It will be the Terps' first game since defeating UMBC, 104-66, on December 13 in Cole Field House. The game marks the second of a three-game homestand which concludes as the Terps play host to UNC-Wilmington on December 27. Following the homestand, Maryland will travel to Missouri to play the Big 12 Tigers before resuming Atlantic Coast Conference play against Duke on January 3.
TONIGHT'S REFEREES
Tonight's referee is Duke Edsall and the umpires are Steve Gordon and Ben Vasconcells.
MARYLAND VERSUS UNC-ASHEVILLE - A SERIES HISTORY
The Series: First Meeting
Last Maryland Win: First Meeting
Last UNC-Asheville Win: First Meeting
Last Maryland Win at Cole: First Meeting
Last UNC-Asheville Win at Cole: First Meeting
Maryland vs. UNC-A Current Streak: First Meeting
Gary Williams vs. UNC-A, Career: First Meeting
TERPS LAST TIME OUT - DEFEAT UMBC 104-66
Laron Profit scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half as 22nd-ranked Maryland raced to a 31-point lead and cruised to its 56th straight home victory over non-conference opponents, a 104-66 defeat of UMBC. Maryland, which took command of the game with a 35-10 run over a six-minute span midway through the first half, has won 21 consecutive games against in-state rivals. The Terps are 9-0 all-time against Maryland-Baltimore County.
TO REACH A CAREER MILESTONE...
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 1 game played to reach 100;
...Junior Terrell Stokes needs only 1 minute played to reach 1,800;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 3 rebounds to reach 300;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 4 offensive rebounds to reach 100;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 14 rebounds for 400;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 2 offensive rebounds for 150;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 14 points for 600;
...Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs only 6 assists for 200.
TERPS LOOK FOR 57TH CONSECUTIVE NON-ACC VICTORY IN COLE
Maryland is looking to extend its non-conference home winning streak to 57 consecutive games as it plays host to UNC-Asheville tonight. The Terps' current streak is the second longest in the nation; Oklahoma State has won 76 consecutive non-conference games at Henry Iba Arena in Stillwater. Maryland has not lost to a non-ACC opponent in Cole since December 12, 1989.
LONGEST NON-CONFERENCE HOME WINNING STREAKS
Maryland is looking to win its 57th consecutive non-conference game in Cole Field House as it plays host to UNC-Asheville tonight. The Terps' streak is the second longest in the nation.
Rank No. School Date Streak Began
1. 76 Oklahoma State Dec. 10, 1987
2. 56 Maryland Dec. 30, 1989
3. 45 North Carolina Feb. 21, 1989
ELLIOTT TO PLAY IN CAREER GAME NO. 100
Senior forward Rodney Elliott will play in career game No. 100 when he takes to the court versus UNC - Asheville tonight.
LOOK FOR MARYLAND TO...
...Shoot for its school-record 57th consecutive non-conference home victory in Cole Field House.
...Shoot for its 32nd consecutive win in Cole Field House during the month of December.
THIS AND THAT... ...Maryland is 2-0 this season when Sarunas Jasikevicius is the team's leading scorer. The Terps defeated No. 2 Kansas and UMBC while he lead the team in scoring;
...Maryland is 2-0 when Rodney Elliott is the team leader in rebounds. The Terps defeated No. 2 Kansas and Florida International when he led the Terps in rebounding;
...Maryland is 4-0 when it has at least 25 assists in a game - 29 against UMBC; 25 against Florida International; 28 against Mt. St. Mary's and 26 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
...Maryland is 4-0 when it has at least 10 steals in a single game - 12 against UMBC; 15 against Kansas; 10 against Mt. St. Mary's and 14 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
PROFIT SIZZLING FROM THE FIELD AND FREE THROW LINE
Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game while shooting 50 percent (23 of 24) from the field and 77.8 percent (seven of nine) from the free throw line in the last two games.
CAREER HIGHS WERE ESTABLISHED AGAINST UMBC BY... ...Senior Matt Kovarik who tied his career-high with three offensive rebounds;
...Senior Matt Kovarik who tied his career-high with five defensive rebounds;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who scored a career-high 12 points;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who scored a career-high 5 field goals;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who attempted a career-high 10 field goals;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who tied his career-high with 5 defensive rebs;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who played a career-high 22 minutes;
...Freshman LaRon Cephas who scored a career-high 4 points;
...Freshman LaRon Cephas who grabbed a career-high 9 rebounds;
...Freshman Terence Morris who tied his career-high with 3 offensive rebs;
...Freshman Terence Morris who tied his career-high with 6 rebounds;
...Freshman Terence Morris who tied his career-high with 2 assists;
...Junior Norman Fields who attempted a career-high 4 field goals;
...Junior Norman Fields who grabbed a career-high 3 rebounds;
...Junior Norman Fields who tied his career-high with 11 minutes played;
...Sophomore Matt Hahn who tied his career-high 2 field goal attempts;
PROFIT IN DOUBLE FIGURE SCORING
Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit has scored in double figures in a career-high eight consecutive game entering tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville.
TERPS PERFECT AGAINST THE BIG SOUTH
Maryland is a perfect 11-0 against current teams from the Big South. The Terps are 9-0 against UMBC and 2-0 against Winthrop all-time.
EKEZIE NOW AMONG SCHOOL'S ALL-TIME TOP 12
Junior center Obinna Ekezie has recorded 12 blocks this season to bring his career total to 65. He enters tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville ranked 12th in school history in blocked shots.
Terps by the Numbers
5 Maryland is 5-0, undefeated, when it outscores its opponent.
5 The number of double/doubles recorded by Terp players this season (Laron Profit, 2; Rodney Elliott, 2; Obinna Ekezie, 1).
6 Maryland is enjoying a +6.0 rebounds per game margin through its first eight games of the season.
10 Freshmen Terence Morris and Mike Mardesich have 10 blocked shots each which ties them for 15th overall by a freshman in school history.
14 Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is ranked 14th in the nation in steals with a 3.4 steals per game average.
16 Maryland is ranked 16th in the nation in scoring offense with an 86.6 points per game average.
19 Junior Obinna Ekezie is looking to become only the 19th player in school history to record back-to-back seasons of 50 percent field goal shooting.
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| Sarunas Jasikevicus. |
23.8 Senior Matt Kovarik has committed only one turnover per every 23.8 minutes of playing time this season.
29 Maryland's starters (Laron profit, Rodney Elliott, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Obinna Ekezie and Matt Kovarik) have combined for more blocked shots, 29, than the Terps' opponents have combined for 25.
51 Maryland has 51 blocked shots (5.4 bpg) compared to its opponents total of 25 for the season.
Upcoming Milestones
Laron Profit
Career Steals
124 (current)
+ 13 (needs)
137
(to move into 6th place
all-time in school history)
Laron Profit
Career Points
709 (current)
+ 291 (needs)
1,000
(to become the 33rd player in school history to score 1,000 career points)
Terrell Stokes
Career Assists
261 (current)
+ 86 (needs)
347
(to move past Ernie Graham into 10th place all-time in school history)
Terrell Stokes
Career Steals
95 (current)
+20 (needs)
115
(to move into 10th place
all-time in school history)
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Career Three-Pt. Shots Made
89 (current)
+ 11 (needs)
100
(to become the fifth player in school history to hit 100 or more career three-point shots.
"I'm the Charles Woodson of college basketball."
Laron Profit
University of Maryland
December 7, 1997
Associated Press Top 25
December 15, 1997
1. North Carolina (68) 10-0
2. Kansas (1) 11-1
3. Duke (1) 9-1
4. Kentucky 8-1
5. Arizona 7-2
6. South Carolina 5-0
7. Utah 9-0
8. Purdue 8-2
9. Stanford 5-0
10. Xavier 6-1
11. UCLA 4-1
12. Connecticut 8-1
13. Arkansas 7-0
14. New Mexico 6-1
15. Iowa 7-1
16. Temple 6-1
17. Florida State 7-1
18. Mississippi 5-1
19. Princeton 7-1
20. Georgia 7-2
21. Michigan 6-2
22. MARYLAND 5-3
23. Wake Forest 6-1
24. Texas Christian 9-0
25. Syracuse 7-0
ESPN/USA Today
December 15, 1997
1. North Carolina 749
2. Duke 688
3. Kansas 683
4. Kentucky 642
5. Arizona 630
6. Utah 566
7. Purdue 564
8. South Carolina 552
9. Stanford 467
10. Xavier 458
11. UCLA 389
12. Connecticut 386
13. Iowa 366
14. Arkansas 363
15. New Mexico 347
16. Temple 320
17. Florida State 305
18. Mississippi 192
19. Princeton 171
20. MARYLAND 136
21. Georgia 91
22. Wake Forest 89
23. Syracuse 79
24. Texas Christian 77
25. Clemson 73
TERPS' TOP CAREER SHOT BLOCKERS
Rank No. Player, Years
1. 339 by Derrick Lewis (2.7 bpg, 1984-88)
2. 239 by Cedric Lewis (2.5 bpg; 1987-90)
4. 190 by Joe Smith (3.0 bpg, 1994-1995)
5. 182 by Larry Gibson (1.8 bpg; 1975-79)
6. 97 by Tony Massenburg (0.9 bpg; 1985-90)
7. 87 by Len Bias (0.7 bpg; 1982-86)
8. 86 by Buck Williams (1.0 bpg; 1978-81)
9. 81 by Walt Williams (0.8 bpg, 1988-92)
10. 75 by Ben Coleman (1.2 bpg; 1982-84)
11. 72 by Keith Booth (0.5 bpg; 1994-97)
12. 65 by Obinna Ekezie (0.9 bpg; 1995-Present)
PROBABLE STARTERS FOR MARYLAND....
F #25 Rodney Elliott (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg; 15.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg in month of Dec.)
C #54 Obinna Ekezie (11.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg; 10.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg in month of Dec.)
G #3 Laron Profit (17.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg; 14.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg in month of Dec.)
G #11 Matt Kovarik (3.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg; 3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg in month of Dec.)
G #13 Sarunas Jasikevicius (12.4 ppg, 4.6 apg; 15.5 ppg, 5.3 apg in Dec.)
....AND TOP SUBS
F #44 Terence Morris (6.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg; 4.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg in month of Dec.)
G #12 Terrell Stokes (7.3 ppg, 4.1 apg; 8.3 ppg, 3.8 apg in month of Dec.)
C #33 Mike Mardesich (6.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg; 7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg in month of Dec.)
F #21 Laron Cephas (0.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg; 1.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg in month of Dec.)
Terps in the ACC by the Numbers
1 Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is ranked first in the ACC with a 3.4 steals per game mark.
2 As a team, Maryland is ranked second in the ACC in scoring (86.6 ppg), steals (10.0 spg) and rebound margin (+6.1 pg).
4 Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is currently ranked fourth in the ACC with a 17.9 points per game average.
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| Obinna Ekezie. |
5 Junior Obinna Ekezie is ranked fifth in the ACC with a 7.9 rebounds per game average.
6 Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is ranked sixth in the ACC in field goal shooting percentage with a 49.1 mark.
6 Junior Rodney Elliott is tied for sixth in the ACC with a 1.5 blocks per game average.
7 Senior Rodney Elliott ranks seventh in the ACC in free throw percentage with a 69.2 mark.
8 Freshman Terence Morris and Mike Mardesich are tied for eighth in the ACC with a 1.3 blocks per game average.
8 Senior Rodney Elliott is ranked eighth in the ACC in field goal percentage with a 47.6 mark.
8 Senior Rodney Elliott and junior All-America candidate Laron Profit are tied for eighth in the ACC in rebounds with a 6.5 rpg average.
10 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius is ranked 10th in the ACC in three-point field goal shooting with a 34.2 mark.
EKEZIE WITH A HOT SHOT
Junior Obinna Ekezie is shooting a career-high 57.4 percent from the field entering tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville. In the last two games he is shooting 64.3 percent (nine of 14) from the field.
Games FGM FGA FG%
Last 2 9 14 64.3
Last 3 14 23 60.9
Last 6 30 47 63.8
KOVARIK - A HOT SHOT FROM THE FIELD
Senior guard Matt Kovarik, who made his first start of the season against UMBC, is shooting a career-high 58.3 percent from the field entering tonight's game against UNC - Asheville. He hit on five of his last seven shots from the field (71.4 percent) in the last two games and has hit at least 50 percent of his shots in five games this season.
Season FGM FGA PCT
1997-98 14 24 58.3%
1994-97 43 105 41.0%
Improvement +17.3%
KOVARIK AS A STARTER
Senior guard Matt Kovarik has started four games during his career. Entering tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville, he has started two of the Terps' last nine games. He started in the Terps' victory over UMBC on December 13 and was the starter in the Terps NCAA Tournament game last season against the College of Charleston. Kovarik has been very successful as a starter, entering tonight's game with a 3-1 record for his career and an undefeated record, 1-0, this season.
Games as a Starter PPG RPG APG MPG
4 4.0 2.5 1.3 16.8
101 1.5 1.3 1.1 9.8
Improvement as a Starter +2.5 +1.2 +0.2 +7.0
KOVARIK - MR. DECEMBER ?
Senior guard Matt Kovarik enters tonight's game with an undefeated record during the month of December as a starter. In three previous starts during the month of December during his career, Kovarik has led the Terps to a 3-0 record.
Opponent Date Pts. Rebs. Asts. Stls. Outcome
Hofstra Dec. 28, 1993 6 0 0 1 W, 93-67
Towson St. Dec. 12, 1994 4 4 1 0 W, 120-73
Col. Of Char. Mar. 14, 1997 0 3 3 0 L, 68-75
UMBC Dec. 13, 1997 6 3 1 0 W, 104-66
Totals 16 10 5 1 3-1
Averages 4.0 2.5 1.3 0.3
EKEZIE IN SOLE POSSESSION OF TENTH PLACE IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Junior Obinna Ekezie, who is shooting a team leading 57.4 percent from the field this season, enters tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville ranked in tenth place on the school's field goal shooting proficiency list.
Season FGM FGA FG%
1997-98 35 61 57.4
1996-97 115 209 55.0
1995-96 51 108 .472
Totals 201 378 53.2
Maryland's bench by the Numbers in the first 8 games of the season.
3 Maryland's bench had more blocked shots (3) than the starters did (2) against UMBC.
8 Freshman Terence Morris has at least one blocked shot in all eight games this season in a reserve role.
9 Redshirt freshman LaRon Cephas grabbed a season-high 9 rebounds by a reserve against UMBC.
12 Freshman Mike Mardesich scored a season-high of 12 points by a reserve against UMBC.
22 The most minutes played by a reserve this season. Terence Morris played 22 minutes against South Carolina in the season opener while Mike Mardesich and LaRon Cephas logged 22 minutes against UMBC.
22 Maryland's bench players have nearly as many blocked shots (22) as the Maryland starters (29).
43 Maryland's bench combined for a season-high 43 points against Mt. St. Mary's on November 22.
66.7 Maryland's bench shot a season-high 66.7 percent from the field against Clemson.
75.0 Maryland's bench has shot 9-12 (75.0 percent) from the free throw line in the last two games.
106 Maryland's freshmen (LaRon Cephas, Mike Mardesich and Terence Morris) have combined for 106 total points (13.3 points per game) in the first eight games of the season - all in a reserve role.
TERPS' TOP CAREER FIELD GOAL SHOOTERS
Rank Pct. FGM-FGA Player, Year
1. 61.5 446-725 by Buck Williams (1978-91)
2. 58.3 623-1,068 by Greg Manning (1977-81)
3. 57.6 438-760 by Lawrence Pittman (1975-78)
4. 55.5 699-1,259 by Tom McMillen (1971-74)
5. 55.1 484-878 by Larry Gibson (1975-79)
6. 55.0 451-819 by Joe Smith (1994-95)
7. 54.7 485-886 by Maurice Howard (1973-76)
8. 53.6 838-1,562 by Len Bias (1983-86)
9. 53.5 386-721 by Brad Davis (1975-77)
10. 53.2 201-378 by Obinna Ekezie (1996-Present)
JASIKEVICIUS GETTING HOT INSIDE AS ITS GETS COLD OUTSIDE
Senior guard Sarunas Jasikevicius is averaging 16.0 points and 5.5 assists in the last two games. Over the course of the last three games, he has played his best basketball of the season. Beginning with the Terps' victory over then No. 2 Kansas, Jasikevicius has led the team in scoring with a 17.6 points per game average and assists with a 4.7 per game average.
GAMES FGM-A PCT 3PM-A PCT PTS AVG
Last 3 20-35 57.1 8-20 40.0 53 17.6
First 5 16-38 42.1 5-18 27.7 46 9.2
JASIKEVICIUS'S SHOOTING PERCENTAGE GOING UP, UP, UP
Senior guard Sarunas Jasikevicius enters tonight's game versus UNC - Asheville with a season-high 49.3 field goal percentage. He shot a season-high 75.0 percent (six of eight) from the field against UMBC.
Opponent Game Season
S. Carolina 42.9 42.9
F. Dickinson 36.4 38.8
Mt. St. Mary's 28.6 32.0
Fla. International 80.0 43.3
Clemson 37.5 42.1
Kansas 57.1 46.1
G. Washington 46.2 46.1
UMBC 75.0 49.3
MARDESICH PLAYING WELL IN THE LAST TWO GAMES
Freshman Mike Mardesich scored his career-high of 12 points and grabbed five rebounds against UMBC. He enters tonight's game averaging 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in the last two games. In addition, his ten blocked shots ties him for the 15th-best effort among freshman in Terp history.
Games FGM-A FTM-A PTS REBS MINS
Last 2 7-13 4-4 18 9 42
Percentages 53.8% 1.00% 9.0 ppg 4.5 rpg 21 mpg
STOKES' ASSIST TO TURNOVER RATIO JUMPING UP
Junior Terrell Stokes has recorded 13 assists and committed only two turnovers in the last two games. He enjoyed a seven assist/one turnover performance against George Washington and returned with a six assist/one turnover outing against UMBC. Stokes has seen his season long assist to turnover ratio move from 1.1:1 after six games to 1.7:1 entering tonight's game against UNC - Asheville.
Games A TO A:TO Ratio
1-6 20 18 1.1:1
7-8 13 2 6.5:1
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 930
WFMD-AM Frederick 930
WARK-AM Hagerstown 1450
WMSG-AM Mtn Lake Pk 1050 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.
CEPHAS ENJOYS BEST CAREER OUTING AGAINST UMBC
Redshirt freshman LaRon Cephas enjoyed his best career outing against UMBC on December 13 as he scored a career-high four points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. His career-high in points and rebounds came as he played a career-high 22 minutes.
TERPS IN THE POLLS
AP ESPN/USA
Pre-Season -- 23
Nov. 16 -- NP
Nov. 23 23 --
Dec. 1 23 --
Dec. 8 19 22
Dec. 15 22 20
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 current 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.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS IN 1997-98
Overall Record: 5-3 When Outrebound Opponent: 4-1
ACC Record: 0-1 When Outrebounded by Opp: 1-2
Home Record: 4-0 When Rebounds are Equal: 0-0
Road Record: 0-1 When Leading at Half-time: 5-0
Neutral Site Record: 1-2 When Trailing at Half-time: 0-2
Day Games: 1-0 When Tied at Half-time: 0-1
Night Games: 4-3 When Shoot Better from Field: 4-3
In Home ACC Games: 0-0 When Shoot Worse from Field: 1-0
In Road ACC Games: 0-1 Versus a Ranked Opponent: 1-2
When Score At Least 80 Points: 5-0 When Score 100+ Points: 2-0
When Score Under 80 Points: 0-3
