Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball
4/9/2013 8:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 1997
Terps Travel Out of Conference to Play Missouri
Profit Among ACC Leaders in Scoring and Steals
NO. 18 MARYLAND TERRAPINS (7-3, 0-1 ACC) AT MISSOURI TIGERS (6-4, 0-0 BIG 12) TUESDAY DECEMBER 30, 1997; 7:00 P.M. CST HEARNES CENTER/13,300 COLUMBIA, MISSOURI LEARFIELD/MARYLAND RADIO NETWORK MISSOURI SPORTS NETWORK
"In defeating Kansas on December 7, Maryland produced one of the biggest, most impressive victories in Williams's nine-year tenure as head coach. Facing undefeated and second-ranked Kansas, the Terrapins produced an 86-83 victory in the first round of the Franklin National Bank Classic to prove - to themselves, and to the college basketball world - that they are a threat to the best teams in the country."
Jennifer Frye
Washington Post
December 7, 1997
MARYLAND FACES MISSOURI IN OUT-OF-CONFERENCE MATCH-UP
Maryland continues its non-league schedule as it travels to Columbia, Mo., to play the Tigers of Missouri University. The game marks the Terps' ninth non-Atlantic Coast Conference game of the season. They will conclude their non-conference regular season schedule as they play Temple in Baltimore on February 28. Maryland enters tonight's game against Missouri with a 7-3 overall record. Tonight's game is only the second game of the season which will be played on an opponent's home court. Previously, the Terps played at Clemson on December 4.
TERPS SCHEDULE INCLUDES FEW NON-CONFERENCE ROAD GAMES
Maryland will play on a non-conference opponent's home court for only the third time in the last five seasons tonight when it faces Missouri at the Hearnes Center. Most recently, the Terps defeated Hawaii on its home court during the 1996 Rainbow Classic. Prior to that, the Terps defeated then 15th ranked Georgetown, 84-83 (OT) at the USAir Arena to begin the 1993-94 season. The Terps have played on a non-conference opponent's home court only 10 times during Gary Williams's tenure at the University of Maryland.
TERPS ON THE "ROAD" RECENTLY
Maryland has won two consecutive non- ACC "road" games entering tonight's game at Missouri.
Date Opponent Location Result
Nov. 26, 1993 at Georgetown USAir Arena W, 84-83 (OT)
Dec. 28, 1996 at Hawaii Special Events Arena W, 76-59
Upcoming Milestones
Laron Profit
Career Steals
126 (current)
+ 11 (needs)
137
(to move into 6th place
all-time in school history)
Laron Profit
Career Points
734 (current)
+ 272 (needs)
1,000
(to become the 33rd player in school history
to score 1,000 career points)
Terrell Stokes
Career Assists
270 (current)
+ 77 (needs)
347
(to move past Ernie Graham into 10th place
all-time in school history)
Terrell Stokes
Career Steals
98 (current)
+17 (needs)
115
(to move into 10th place
all-time in school history)
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Career Three-Pt. Shots Made
94 (current)
+ 6 (needs)
100
(to become the fifth player in school history to
hit 100 or more career three-point shots.
Associated Press Top 25
December 29, 1997
1. N. Carolina 13-0
2. Kansas 15-1
3. Duke 10-1
4. Utah 11-0
5. Purdue 11-2
6. Kentucky 10-2
7. Stanford 9-0
8. Arizona 7-3
9. UCLA 8-1
10. Connecticut 11-1
11. South Carolina 7-1
12. New Mexico 7-1
13. Xavier 7-2
14. Iowa 10-1
15. Florida State 9-2
16. Misissippi 8-1
17. Princeton 10-1
18. Michigan 10-3
19. Syracuse 11-1
20. MARYLAND 7-3
21. Clemson 9-3
22. West Virginia 11-1
23. Arkansas 9-2
24. Rhode Island 6-1
25. Marquette 8-0
ESPN/USA Today Top-25
December 29, 1997
1. N. Carolina(30) 750
2. Duke 705
3. Kansas 702
4. Utah 636
5. Purdue 607
6. Arizona 589
7. Kentucky 542
8. Stanford 520
9. UCLA 494
10. South Carolina 457
11. Connecticut 454
12. Xavier 397
13. New Mexico 364
14. Iowa 359
15. Florida State 317
16. Princeton 291
17. Mississippi 281
18. MARYLAND 186
19. Syracuse 157
20. Michigan 133
21. Clemson 118
22. Temple 94
23. West Virginia 92
24. Arkansas 90
24. Marquette 90
TERPS STARTERS TURNING UP THE HEAT
Maryland's starting five (Laron Profit, Rodney Elliott, Obinna Ekezie, Matt Kovarik and Sarunas Jasikevicius) enter tonight's game versus Missouri with more assists and blocked shots than the Terps' opponents combined. The fast hands of the quintet also have nearly as many steals as the Terps' opponents combined.
Assists Blocked Shots Steals
Maryland Starters 133 34 73
Opponents Combined 119 26 81
TERPS GAIN IN ESPN/USA TODAY POLL
Maryland enters tonight's game versus Missouri ranked 18th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll and 20th in the AP Poll. For the Terps, their No. 18 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Poll represents a jump up from No. 20 last week and is their highest ranking of the year. The Terps highest AP ranking of the season is 19th during the week of December 8. The Terps' were ranked 20th in each of the previous two polls by ESPN/USA Today.
AP ESPN/USA
Pre-Season -- 23
Nov. 16 -- NP
Nov. 23 23 --
Dec. 1 23 --
Dec. 8 19 22
Dec. 15 22 20
Dec. 22 20 20
Dec. 29 20 18
TERPS DEFENSIVE INTENSITY IS STIFLING
In each of Maryland's last three games (all victories) the number of turnovers forced by the Terps has been more than the number of baskets scored by their opponent. Over the course of the season, Maryland has forced more turnovers than baskets allowed to the opponent in five of its seven victories.
Games Opponents' FG Opponents' TO Result
UMBC 24 32 W, 104-66
UNC - Asheville 21 37 W, 110-52
Unc - Wilmington 15 21 W, 74-36
Totals 60 90 3-0
FORCING TURNOVERS, HOLDING FIELD GOAL SHOOTING DOWN
Maryland's opponents are shooting 37.6 percent (240-639) from the field and have committed 236 turnovers through the first 10 games of the season (23.6 topg).
Category Opponents FG Opponents TO
Victories 165 189
Losses 75 47
Season 240 236
ELLIOTT WITH THE HOT HAND AGAINST UNC - WILMINGTON
Senior forward Rodney Elliott tied his career-high with 22 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds as Maryland defeated UNC - Wilmington, 74-36 on Saturday in College Park. Elliott's point total matched his effort against Penn on January 21, 1997 and his rebounding effort surpassed his 13 rebound effort against Lafayette on December 23, 1996.
ELLIOTT WITH CAREER-HIGH THIRD DOUBLE/DOUBLE
Senior forward Rodney Elliott scored his career-high third double/double of season with 22 points and 14 rebounds against UNC - Wilmington. He now has five double/doubles during his career.
Terps by the Numbers
3 Senior forward Rodney Elliott has a career-high three double/doubles this season.
6.9 Maryland is enjoying a +6.9 rebound margin entering tonight's game against Missouri.
7 Maryland is 7-0, undefeated, when it outscores its opponent.
20 Junior center Obinna Ekezie has made 20 of his last 30 shots over the last four games.
20.2 Maryland is enjoying a +20.2 average margin of victory entering tonight's game versus Missouri.
30 Maryland's defense has forced opponents to commit an average of 30 turnovers per game in the last three outings.
45 Maryland has made more free throws (45) than its opponents have attempted (33) in the last three games.
50.0 Maryland is shooting 50.0 percent (322-644) from the field for the season entering tonight's game versus Missouri.
52.4 Maryland's starters are shooting 52.4 percent (228-435) from the field.
54.2 Maryland has connected on 54.2 percent (111-205) of its shots in the last three games.
83.3 Junior All-America candidate Laron Profit is shooting better from three-point range (83.3 percent) than two-point range (60.0 percent) in the last three games.
133 Maryland's starters have combined for 133 assists - the Terps opponents have combined for 119.
PROBABLE STARTERS FOR MARYLAND....
F #25 Rodney Elliott (15.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg; 15 pts on 6-7 fg vs. Missouri 2/18/96)
C #54 Obinna Ekezie (12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg; 4 pts, 2 rebs vs. Missouri 2/18/96)
G #3 Laron Profit (17.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg; 2 pts, 1 asst vs. Missouri 2/18/96)
G #11 Matt Kovarik (3.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg; Career-high 6 assists vs. UNC - Ashe)
G #13 Sarunas Jasikevicius (12.6 ppg, 4.3 apg; 2 asts vs. Missouri 2/18/96)
....AND TOP SUBS
F #44 Terence Morris (7.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg; Career-high 20 pts vs. UNC - Ashe)
G #12 Terrell Stokes (6.2 ppg, 4.2 apg; 12 asts, 4 pts vs. Missouri 2/18/96)
C #33 Mike Mardesich (6.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg; Career-high 12 points vs. UMBC)
F #21 Laron Cephas (0.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg; Career-high 9 rebs vs. UMBC)
LINEUP NOTES
Maryland's listed probable starting lineup has started the most recent three games and has a record of 3-0. The Terps are averaging 96 points scored in the last three games with the above listed starting lineup.
TONIGHT'S REFEREES
Tonight's referee is Frank Scagliotta and the umpires are Rick Hartzell and Steve Gordon.
MARYLAND VERSUS MISSOURI- A SERIES HISTORY
The Series: Missouri leads, 2-1
Last Maryland Win: February 18, 1996; 91-72
Last Missouri Win: January 24, 1989; 87-73
Last Maryland Win at Columbia: NA
Last Missouri Win at Columbia: January 6, 1988, 93-85
Maryland vs. Missouri, Current Streak: Maryland has won 1
Gary Williams vs. Missouri, Career: 1-0
MARYLAND (91) AGAINST MISSOURI (72) - THE LAST TIME
February 18, 1996, Cole Field House, College Park, Md.
Freshman Terrell Stokes dished out a then career-high 12 assists in only his third career start to lead Maryland past Missouri, 91-72, in a game nationally televised by ABC from Cole Field House. Stokes added four points, four rebounds and two steals to his lofty assists total. The Terps led by as much as 14 in the first half and went up by 22 in the second. Maryland shot 60.3 percent from the field, had 30 assists on 38 field goals, forced 24 turnovers and were credited with 16 steals. Senior Johnny Rhodes led five Terps who scored in double figures with 21 points. Senior Mario Lucas and sophomore Rodney Elliott scored 15 each; senior Exree Hipp scored 14 and junior Keith Booth added 14. Forward Kelly Thames scored a team-high 19 points for Missouri.
TERPS LAST TIME OUT - DEFEAT UNC - WILMINGTON
Rodney Elliott matched his career-high with 22 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds to lead No. 20 Maryland to a 74-36 victory over North Carolina-Wilmington Saturday in Cole Field House. The impressive defensive effort gave Head Coach Gary Williams his 150th victory in nine seasons at Maryland; he is the third-winningest coach in school history. Elliott, who made 7 of 12 field goals, scored eight points during a 16-6 run midway through the second half that gave the Terrapins a commanding 67-27 lead.
MARYLAND HAS HELD...
...All ten of its opponents under 45 percent shooting from the field;
...Four opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field;
...Two of its opponents under 30 percent shooting from the field;
ELLIOTT FROM BEYOND THE ARC
Maryland is undefeated, 4-0, when Rodney Elliott hits multiple three-point shots during a single game.
This Terp has more...
KOVARIK - MR. DECEMBER
Senior guard Matt Kovarik enters tonight's game versus Missouri with an undefeated record during the month of December as a starter. In five previous career December starts, Kovarik has led the Terps to a 5-0 record. He has started six games during his career which includes the Terps 1997 NCAA Tournament game against the College of Charleston.
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
UNC-Ashe Dec. 22, 1997 6 2 6 3 W, 110-52
UNC-Wilm Dec. 27, 1997 4 2 2 1 W, 74-36
Totals 26 14 13 5
Averages 4.3 2.3 2.2 0.8
THIS AND THAT...
...Maryland is 6-1 when its leading scorer has at least 20 points;
...Maryland is 4-1 when Rodney Elliott is the team's leading scorer;
...Maryland is 4-0 when Rodney Elliott is the team's leading rebounder;
MORRIS QUICK OUT OF THE BLOCKS
Freshman Terence Morris has recorded 12 blocks through the first 10 games of the season, a 1.2 blocks per game average. He is among the top-10 in blocked shots in the ACC entering tonight's game versus Missouri. His 12 blocked shots ties him for ninth among all freshmen in the history of the Maryland basketball program.
MORRIS GAINING HIS SHOOTING TOUCH
Freshman Terence Morris has made eight of his last 11 shots from the field (72.7 percent) and 10 of his last 12 shots from the free throw line (83.3 percent) in the last two games. He is now shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 62.4 percent from the free throw line.
CEPHAS HITTING THE BOARDS
Redshirt freshman LaRon Cephas is averaging 5.3 rebounds in the last three games, tied for the second best average on the team during the span. Cephas grabbed a career-high nine rebounds in 22 minutes of play in the Terps' victory over UMBC on December 13.
Rank Player Rebs Last 3 RPG Last 3
1. Rodney Elliott 26 8.7
T2. Obinna Ekezie 16 5.3
LaRon Cephas 16 5.3
EKEZIE FROM THE FIELD
Junior center Obinna Ekezie enters tonight's game with a career-high 12.4 points per game average and a career high 7.2 rebounds per game average. In addition, he is looking to become only the seventh player in school history to shoot at least 60 percent from the field as he currently holds an astronomical 59.7 field goal shooting percentage. He has hit 20 of his last 30 shots (66.7 percent) from the field. The last player to shoot 60 percent or better from the field in a single season was Ben Coleman (60.8) during the 1983-84 season.
Maryland's Bench by the numbers
2 Freshman Terence Morris, who has appeared in all 10 games off the bench this season, is ranked second on the team in blocked shots with 12.
2 Freshmen Terence Morris and Mike Mardesich combined for more blocks, 2, than UNC Wilmington did, 1, as a team on Saturday.
3 Freshman Mike Mardesich, who has appeared in all 10 games, is ranked third on the team in blocks with 12.
3.8:1 Junior Terrell Stokes has a 3.8:1 assist to turnover ratio coming off the bench in the last three games as compared to 1.4:1 assist to turnover ratio in the first seven games of the season.
4.9 Freshman Mike Mardesich, who has appeared in all 10 games off the bench this season is the Terps fourth leading rebounder.
7.6 Freshman Terence Morris, who has appeared in all 10 games off the bench this season, is the fifth leading scorer on the team.
8 Maryland's bench players have outscored their opponents bench players in eight of ten games this season.
11.0 Freshman Terence Morris is averaging 11.0 points per game in the last three outings - all victories.
20 Freshman Terence Morris outscored UNC - Asheville's bench 20-19 on December 22 as the Terps defeated the Bulldogs, 110-52.
31 Maryland's bench is averaging 31 points per game in the last three games.
EKEZIE A HOT SHOT FROM THE FIELD
Junior Obinne Ekezie enter tonight's game versus Missouri with a 59.7 field goal shooting percentage.
Season FGM FGA FG%
1997-98 46 77 59.7
1996-97 115 209 55.0
1995-96 51 108 47.2
Totals 212 394 53.8
TERPS' TOP CAREER FIELD GOAL SHOOTERS
Junior Obinna Ekezie enters tonight's game with a 53.8 career field goal shooting percentage - the eighth best mark in school history.
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. 53.8 212-394 by Obinna Ekezie (1996-Present)
TO REACH A CAREER MILESTONE...
...Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs only 2 games played for 100;
...Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs only 6 three-pointers made for 100;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 1 free throws made for 150;
...Senior Matt Kovarik needs only 3 rebounds for 150;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 2 offensive rebounds for 100;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 4 assists for 150;
TERP STARTING FIVE ON FIRE FROM THE FIELD
Maryland's starting five enters today's game versus Missouri with a combined 52.4 field goal shooting percentage. The starting five led the Terps against UNC - Asheville last week as the team shot a season-high 61.8 percent from the field. It marked the first time since February 22, 1996 (against N.C. State) that the Terps had shot 60 percent or above from the field.
TERPS STARTERS FROM THE FIELD
Maryland's current starting five is shooting nearly 65 percent percent from the field in the last three games, all Terp victories. Junior All-ACC Candidate Obinna Ekezie is shooting 68.2 percent from the field in the last three victories.
Player FGM FGA FG% Last Three Games
Obinna Ekezie 46 77 59.7 15-22 68.2
Matt Kovarik 19 35 54.3 6-9 66.7
Laron Profit 65 129 50.4 17-26 65.4
Sarunas Jasikevicius 46 91 50.6 16-26 61.5
Rodney Elliott 52 103 50.5 19-30 63.3
Totals 228 435 52.4 73-113 64.6
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.
GARY'S RECORDS
Career 357-232 .606 (20th season)
at Maryland 150-104 .590 (9th season)
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.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS IN 1997-98
Overall Record: 7-3 When Outrebound Opponent: 6-1
ACC Record: 0-1 When Outrebounded by Opp: 1-2
Home Record: 6-0 When Rebounds are Equal: 0-0
Road Record: 0-1 When Leading at Half-time: 7-0
Neutral Site Record: 1-2 When Trailing at Half-time: 0-2
Day Games: 2-0 When Tied at Half-time: 0-1
Night Games: 5-3 When Shoot Better from Field: 6-3
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: 6-0
When Score 100+ Points: 4-0
When Score Under 80 Points: 1-3
MARYLAND HAS RECORDED...
...More blocks than its opponents in 9 of 10 games this season;
...More rebounds than its opponents in 7 of 10 games this season;
...More steals than its opponents in 6 of 10 games this season;
CAREER HIGHS WERE ESTABLISHED AGAINST UNC - WILMINGTON BY...
...Senior Rodney Elliott who tied his career-high with 22 points;
...Senior Rodney Elliott who grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds;
...Senior Rodney Elliott who grabbed a career-high 12 defensive rebounds;
...Senior Rodney Elliott who tied his career-high with a 1.00 free throw pct;
...Junior Norman Fields who tied his career-high with 5 points;
...Junior Norman Fields who tied his career-high with 1 3-pt shot made;
...Sophomore Matt Hahn who tied his career-high with 1 assist;
...Senior Matt Kovarik who played a career-high 25 minutes;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who tied his career-high with 2 free throws;
...Freshman Mike Mardesich who was credited with a career-high 2 steals;
...Sophomore Atman Smith who tied his career high with 1 offensive rebound;
