Jan. 13, 1998
Terps Play Host to North Carolina
Bring Two-Game ACC Winning Streak to Battle with Longtime Conference Foe
MARYLAND TERRAPINS (9-5, 2-2 ACC)
VS
NO. 1 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (17-0, 4-0 ACC)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14, 1998; 9:00 P.M.
COLE FIELD HOUSE/14,500
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND
LEARFIELD/MARYLAND RADIO NETWORK
ESPN NATIONAL BROADCAST
TERPS PLAY HOST TO NORTH CAROLINA IN ACC BATTLE
Maryland plays host to No. 1 North Carolina as the Terps attempt to run their winning streak to three consecutive games. The Terps began their streak as they defeated No. 13 Florida State, 81-74, last Wednesday here in Cole Field House and then defeated N.C. State, 68-65, in Raleigh on Saturday. Maryland has won seven of its eight games played in Cole this season and one of its two conference match-ups. Tonight's game against North Carolina is the Terps' sixth against a ranked opponent and third here at home. In Maryland's most recent match-up against a ranked team the Terps defeated the 13th ranked Seminoles of Florida State. Maryland has also defeated then No. 2 ranked Kansas in the first round of the Franklin National Bank Classic on December 7 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.
TERPS VERSUS THE TOP TWO
Maryland has a 3-3 record in its last six games against the nation's top two ranked teams. Tonight's match-up versus North Carolina marks the Terps first game against a team ranked No. 1 in the nation this season and the Terps' third game against a team ranked among the nation's top two.
Date Score Opponent Rank
February 7, 1995 86-73 North Carolina #1
January 19, 1997 54-51 Wake Forest #2
December 7, 1997 86-83 Kansas #2
TWO OUT OF THREE ISN'T BAD
Maryland has defeated North Carolina in two of the last three meetings between the two teams. A victory over the Tar Heels tonight would give the Terps three victories in the last four meetings, a feat the Terps' have not pulled off since the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons.
Upcoming Milestones
Laron Profit
Career Steals
140 (current)
+ 31 (needs)
171
(to move into 4th place
all-time in school history)
Laron Profit
Career Points
789 (current)
+ 211 (needs)
1,000
(to become the 33rd player in school history to score 1,000 career points)
Terrell Stokes
Career Assists
280 (current)
+ 67 (needs)
347
(to move past Ernie Graham into 10th place all-time in school history)
Terrell Stokes
Career Steals
102 (current)
+13 (needs)
115
(to move into 10th place
all-time in school history)
Sarunas Jasikevicius
Career Three-Pt. Shots Made
101 (current)
+ 30 (needs)
131
(to move into 4th place all-time in school history)
Associated Press Top-25
January 12, 1998
1. N. Carolina 17-0
2. Duke 14-1
3. Kansas 19-2
4. Utah 13-0
5. Arizona 13-3
6. Kentucky 14-2
7. Stanford 14-0
8. UCLA 12-2
9. Purdue 14-3
10. Connecticut 14-2
11. Mississippi 12-1
12. Princeton 13-1
13. Iowa 13-2
14. South Carolina 10-2
15. New Mexico 11-2
Syracuse 14-1
17. Florida State 12-4
18. Xavier 10-3
19. Michigan 13-4
20. Rhode Island 10-2
21. West Virginia 14-2
22. Arkansas 13-2
23. Marquette 10-2
24. Hawaii 11-2
25. Oklahoma State 12-1
ARV - Maryland (28th place)
ESPN/USA Today
Top-25 January 12, 1998
1. N. Carolina 750
2. Duke 718
3. Kansas 667
4. Utah 660
5. Arizona 622
6. Kentucky 593
7. Stanford 581
8. Purdue 520
9. UCLA 491
10. Connecticut 480
11. Mississippi 429
12. Princeton 387
13. New Mexico 369
14. Iowa 361
15. Syracuse 309
16. Florida State 279
17. South Carolina278
18. Michigan 249
19. Xavier 206
20. West Virginia 154
21. Marquette 135
22. Arkansas 111
23. Rhode Island 110
24. Clemson 52
24. Hawaii 52
(ARV - Maryland 28th place)
HOPING THE NINTH TIME IS A CHARM
Tonight's game versus North Carolina is the Terps ninth against the nation's No. 1 team since the beginning of the 1991-92 season. Most recently the Terps defeated a No. 1 ranked team on February 7, 1995 when the Terps defeated the Tar Heels here in Cole Field House.
LAST TIME TERPS DEFEATED THE NO. 1 TEAM
The last time the Terps defeated the No. 1 team in the country was February 7, 1995 when the Terps defeated North Carolina, 86-73 in Cole Field House.
ELLIOTT STREAKING IN THE LAST TWO GAMES
Senior forward Rodney Elliott is averaging 16.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the Terps last three games. During the three games, Elliott is shooting 59.2 percent from the field, 1.00 percent from beyond the three-point arc and 75.0 percent from the free throw line.
Opponent FGM-A 3PTM-A FTM-A PTS-AVG REBS-AVG
No. 2 Duke 6-8 1-1 9-10 22 7
No. 13 Florida St. 6-12 0-0 2-3 14 9
N.C. State 4-7 0-0 4-7 12 5
Totals 16-27 1-1 15-20 48-16.0 21-7.0
KEEPING ELLIOTT ON THE COURT
Maryland is 7-2 when Rodney Elliott does not foul out of a game and 2-3 when Elliott fouls out of a game.
ELLIOTT AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Senior forward Rodney Elliott averages 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds a game against ranked teams this season. His top game came against then No. 2 ranked Kansas as he scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds on December 7.
Opponent Rank Points Rebounds
South Carolina #5 14 5
Clemson #5 15 4
Kansas #2 21 12
Duke #2 22 7
Florida State #13 14 9
Totals 86 37
14.3 6.2
EKEZIE PLAYING THE BEST BASKETBALL OF HIS CAREER
Junior Obinna Ekezie is averaging 16.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in the last four games. He scored a career-high 23 points against Duke on January 3 and was credited with a career-high four steals against Florida State.
EKEZIE FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Junior Obinna Ekezie enters tonight's game versus North Carolina with a career-high free throw percentage of 66.7. Entering this season, his career-best percentage from the line was 63.9 during his sophomore season.
Season FTM FTA PCT.
1997-98 65 96 67.7
1996-97 92 144 63.9
1995-96 33 60 55.0
Totals 190 300 63.3
EKEZIE HOT FROM THE LINE IN LAST FOUR GAMES
Junior Obinna Ekezie has hit 82.5 percent (33-40) of his free throws in the last four games. He made a career-high 13 free throws in a career-high 15 attempts against Duke on January 3.
Rodney Elliott by the Numbers
2 Senior Rodney Elliott enters tonight's game ranked second on the team in scoring with a 15.7 points per game average.
2 Senior Rodney Elliott has blocked a career-high tying two shots six times this season.
3 Senior Rodney Elliott has scored a career-high three double/doubles this season.
4 Senior forward Rodney Elliott was credited with a career-high four assists against N.C. State.
7 Maryland is 7-2 this season when Rodney Elliott has not fouled out of a game.
22 Senior Rodney Elliott scored a career-high tying 22 points against Duke on January 3.
50.0 Senior Rodney Elliott enters tonight's game with a career-high 50.0 three-point field goal shooting percentage.
52.1 Senior Rodney Elliott enters tonight's game with a career-high 52.1 field goal shooting percentage.
59.2 Senior Rodney Elliott is shooting 59.2 percent from the field (16-27) in the last three games.
72.8 Senior Rodney Elliott enters tonight's game with a career-high tying 72.8 free throw shooting percentage.
100 Senior Rodney Elliott enters tonight's game versus North Carolina with 99 rebounds this season. He is looking to grab 100 rebounds
in back-to-back seasons.
PROBABLE STARTERS FOR MARYLAND....
F #25 Rodney Elliott (15.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg; 10 pts, 2 rebs. vs. UNC, 2/22/97)
C #54 Obinna Ekezie (13.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg; 21 pts, 8 rebs vs. UNC, 1/8/97)
G #3 Laron Profit (15.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg; 13 pts, 2 stls vs. UNC, 1/8/97)
G #12 Terrell Stokes (5.6 ppg, 3.7 apg; 12 pts, 4 asts vs. UNC, 2/22/97)
G #13 Sarunas Jasikevicius (13.0 ppg, 4.1 apg; 14 pts, 8 asts vs UNC 2/22/97)
....AND TOP SUBS
F #44 Terence Morris (6.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg; First career game versus UNC)
G #11 Matt Kovarik (3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg; 2 pts, 4 asts vs. UNC, 1/8/97)
C #33 Mike Mardesich (5.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg; First career game vs. UNC)
F #21 Laron Cephas (0.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg; First career game vs. UNC)
TODAY'S REFEREES
Today's referee is Rick Hartzell and the umpires are Steve Gordon and Andre Pattillo.
MARYLAND VERSUS NORTH CAROLINA- THE SERIES BY THE NUMBERS
The Series: UNC leads, 101-43
Last Maryland Win: February 6, 1996, 84-78
Last UNC Win: February 22, 1997; 93-81
Last Maryland Win at Cole: February 7, 1995; 86-73
Last UNC Win at Cole: February 22, 1997: 93-81
Maryland vs. UNC, Current Streak: North Carolina has won 1
Maryland vs. UNC, Last Ten: UNC Leads 7-3
Gary Williams vs. UNC, Career: 5-12, all at Maryland
TERPS VS. NORTH CAROLINA - THE LAST FOUR GAMES
Feb. 22, 1997 Jan. 8, 1997 Feb. 6, 1996 Jan. 6, 1996
N. Carolina 93 Maryland 85 Maryland 84 N. Carolina 88 (OT)
at Maryland 81 at N. Carolina 75 at N. Carolina 78 at Maryland 86
MARYLAND AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA - THE LAST TIME
February 22, 1997; Cole Field House, College Park, Md.
Antawn Jamison scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half as 12th-ranked North Carolina continued its strong push to the top half of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 93-81 victory at number 14 Maryland. Keith Booth scored 20 points and Obinna Ekezie and Sarunas Jasikevicius added 14 apiece for Maryland (20-7, 9-5).
TERPS LAST TIME OUT - DEFEATED N.C. STATE
Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 18 points, including two free throws in the final minute to lead Maryland to a win over N.C. State Saturday. Maryland led 68-63 after Jasikevicius split two free throws with 16.4 seconds left. A lay-up by
C.C. Harrison cut the lead to 68-65 with 8.9 seconds remaining but the Pack couldn't steal the ensuing inbounds pass and was forced to foul Rodney Elliott.
Maryland's 6-foot-8 forward missed both his foul shots and Jasikevicius corralled the rebound. But Kenny Inge tied up Jasikevicius, forcing a jump ball and giving N.C. State a last chance to tie. Harrison got a clear look at a 3-pointer but his attempt from the left wing bounced off the front of the rim at the buzzer.
JASIKEVICIUS FROM THE FIELD
Senior guard Sarunas Jasikevicius scored a team-high 18 points as the Terps defeated N.C. State in Raleigh on Saturday. He has now scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games and enters tonight's game versus North Carolina with a career-high 48.9 field goal shooting percentage. In addition, Jasikevicius begins action tonight with a team-high 57 assists and 4.1 assists per game average.
Terps by the Numbers
4 Four players (Laron Profit, Rodney Elliott, Obinna Ekezie and Sarunas Jasikevicius) have started all 14 games this season.
5.4 Maryland is enjoying a +5.4 average rebound margin in its 14 games this season.
8 Eight different Terp players are averaging in double figure minutes played this season.
9 Maryland is undefeated, 9-0, when it outscores its opponent.
11 Maryland committed a season-low 11 turnovers against N.C. State.
11 Maryland was whistled for a season- low 11 personal fouls against N.C. State.
43 Maryland's starting five (Rodney Elliott, Laron Profit, Obinna Ekezie, Terrell Stokes and Sarunas Jasikevicius) have accumulated 43 blocked shots this season - Maryland's opponents have totaled 39.
98 Junior Obinna Ekezie enters tonight's game against North Carolina with 98 rebounds and needs only 2 to surpass the 100 rebound plateau for the second consecutive season.
116 Maryland's starting five (Rodney Elliott, Laron Profit, Obinna Ekezie, Terrell Stokes and Sarunas Jasikevicius) have accumulated 116 steals this season - Maryland's opponents have totaled 115.
201 Maryland's starting five (Rodney Elliott, Laron Profit, Obinna Ekezie, Terrell Stokes and Sarunas Jasikevicius) have accumulated 201 assists this season - Maryland's opponents have totaled 184.
JASIKEVICIUS FROM BEYOND THE ARC
Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius has hit 22 three-point field goals in the last 10 games - an average of 2.2 per game. He became only the fifth player in school history to surpass the 100 three-point shots made plateau for his career as he was good on two shots from beyond the arc against N.C. State. He has scored multiple three-point shots in nine of Maryland's 14 games this season.
MORRIS HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
Freshman Terence Morris has not committed a turnover in the last two games - a total of 18 minutes played.
MORRIS FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Freshman Terence Morris has hit 80 percent of his free throws (12 of 15) over the course of the last six games. He scored a career-high eight free throws on a career-high 10 attempts against UNC - Asheville when he scored a career-high 20 points. Morris has scored at least two points in each of Maryland's 14 games this season.
KOVARIK FROM THE FIELD
Senior guard Matt Kovarik enters tonight's game versus North Carolina with a career-high 58.5 field goal shooting percentage. In achieving that percentage he has made a career-high 24 field goals.
Season FGM FGA PCT.
1997-98 24 51 58.5 (career-high)
1996-97 22 51 43.1
1995-96 0 0 0.0 (medical redshirt)
1994-95 5 16 31.3
1993-94 16 38 42.1
Totals 67 146 45.8
KOVARIK ON THE BLOCKS
Senior Matt Kovarik enters tonight's game against North Carolina with a career-high three blocked shots.
KOVARIK BY THE NUMBERS
Senior guard Matt Kovarik has played an integral part of Maryland's success from the point guard position this season. He has started six of the Terps 14 games
Category Games Pts/Game Asst/Game Steals/Game Min/Game
As a Starter 6 4.8 3.8 1.0 22.0
As a Reserve 8 2.9 4.0 0.5 16.3
STOKES BY THE NUMBERS
Junior guard Terrell Stokes was a starter in Maryland's victory over N.C. State on Saturday. He enjoyed success as he scored four points, dished out three assists and committed only one turnover in 29 minutes played. In the last two games he has an assist:turnover ratio of 6:1 in 53 minutes played.
Category Games Pts/Game Asst/Game Steals/Game Min/Game
As a Starter 8 4.3 3.7 1.6 29.1
As a Reserve 6 6.5 3.8 1.0 19.0
Quoting Maryland Basketball
1) "In defeating Kansas on December 7, Maryland produced one of the biggest, most impressive victories in Gary 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 Frey
Washington Post
December 7, 1997
2) "We felt we had something to prove after (last) Saturday night. The key was the effort. We've been preaching that since the Duke game. If we're willing to make the effort, we are able to play with anybody."
Gary Williams
University of Maryland
December 7, 1998
3) "Maryland is the best team in America not to be ranked in the Top-20."
Dick Vitale
ABC Sports
December 7, 1997
4) "Obinna Ekezie has probably improved more than any other player I've coached from his freshman to his sophomore year, and he did it all with hard work."
Gary Williams
University of Maryland
December 7, 1997
5) "I was really pleased with our zone defense and how it worked during that stretch against N.C. State. We felt we were big enough that we could make them shoot over us especially with Terence Morris and Laron Profit at the point."
Gary Williams
University of Maryland
January 10, 1997
STOKES WITH MORE STEALS THAN TURNOVERS
Junior guard Terrell Stokes has more steals (2) than turnovers (1) against N.C State. Maryland is 3-0 in games that Stokes has more steals than turnovers this season.
Opponent Steals Turnovers Outcome
Florida Int. 4 2 W, 117-70
UNC - Asheville 3 2 W, 110-52
N.C. State 2 1 W, 68-65
STOKES FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Junior Terrell Stokes has hit 72.7 percent (eight of 11) of his free throws in the last two games. He was six of eight against Florida State and two of three against N.C. State. He had not gone to the line in the Terps three games prior to the Terps current two game winning streak.
PROFIT BACK ON TRACK
Junior Laron Profit made eight field goals against N.C. State as he scored 17 points. His eight field goals were as many as he hit in the Terps' previous three games combined -- five against Missouri, zero against Duke and three against Florida State.
JUNIOR LARON PROFIT HAS...
...More assists (44) than turnovers (43) this season;
...More steals (14) than turnovers (9) in the last four games;
...Committed only 2 turnovers in his last 68 minutes played;
...Averaged 3.5 steals per game in the last four contests;
...Hit 83.3 percent (10-12) of his free throws in the last two games;
...Shot above 50 percent from the free throw line in 11 games this season.
FROM BEYOND THE ARC
As a team, Maryland has hit at least one three-point shot in 76 consecutive games. The streak dates back to the Terps' 1996 NCAA Tournament game against Texas.
DEFENSE BUSTERS
Maryland scored 68 points against N.C. State. The Wolfpack had entered the game with the nation's No. 5 defense, as it was allowing just over 59 points per game.
COMING FROM BEHIND
Maryland has won two consecutive games (defeating Florida State and N.C. State) after it trailed the contest at half-time for the first time in Gary Williams's tenure at Maryland.
HIDING FROM THE ZEBRAS
Maryland was called for a season-low 11 fouls against N.C. State. The Wolfpack was not in the double bonus during the entire game and attempted a Terps' opponents season-low eight free throws and made a season-low four during the Terps victory on Saturday. In the last two games (Florida State and N.C. State) Maryland has made more free throws (46) than its opponents had attempted (25).
Opponent Md. FTM-A Oppt FTM-A
N.C. State 14-23 4-8
Florida State 32-42 9-17
Totals 46-65 13-25
Pct. 70.7 52.0
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
Maryland committed a season-low 11 turnovers and was credited with 12 steals against N.C. State.
Terps by the Numbers in the Atlantic Coast Conference
1 Junior Laron Profit is the ACC leader in steals with a 3.1 steals per game average.
5 Senior Rodney Elliott is ranked fifth in the ACC in field goal percentage with a 52.1 percentage.
6 Senior Rodney Elliott is ranked sixth in the ACC in rebounds with a 7.1 per game average.
8 Junior Obinna Ekezie is ranked eighth in the ACC in rebounding with a 7.0 per game average.
8 Senior Rodney Elliott is ranked eighth in the ACC in free throw percentage with a 72.8 percentage.
8 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius is ranked eighth in the ACC in assist with a 4.1 assists per game average.
9 Junior Laron Profit is ranked ninth in the ACC in scoring with a 15.9 points per game average.
9 Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius is ranked ninth in the ACC in three-point field goals made per game.
10 Junior Laron Profit is ranked 10th in the ACC in field goal percentage with a 46.6 percentage.
10 Junior Terrell Stokes is ranked tenth in the ACC in assists with a 3.6 assists per game average.
11 Senior Rodney Elliott is ranked 11th in the ACC in scoring with a 15.7 points per game average.
TO REACH A CAREER MILESTONE...
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 5 minutes played for 1,700;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 13 field goals attempted for 500;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 1 defensive rebound for 275;
...Senior Rodney Elliott needs only 20 points for 700;
...Senior Matt Kovarik needs only 7 points for 200;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 5 field goals made for 300;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 2 defensive rebounds for 225;
...Junior Laron Profit needs only 11 points for 800;
...Senior Sarunas Jasikevicius needs only 4 field goals made for 250;
...Junior Terrell Stokes needs only 3 three-point shots made for 50;
...Junior Obinna Ekezie needs only 10 free throws made for 200;
...Junior Obinna Ekezie needs only 4 rebounds for 425.
Category Steals/Game Turnovers Forced/Game
First 2 ACC Games 5.5 15.5
Last 2 ACC Games 11.5 19.5
PROFIT MOVING UP TERPS' STEALS LIST
Junior Laron Profit was credited with five steals against Florida State and two against N.C. State to bring his season total to 43. His 43 steals this season ranks him tied for the third best single season by a Terp junior in school history.
Rank No. Player, Years
1. 85 by Johnny Rhodes, 1994-95
2. 47 by Kevin McLinton, 1991-92
3. 43 by Laron Profit 1997-98
by Ernest Graham, 1979-80
PROFIT MOVING UP STEALS LIST II
Junior Laron Profit has 140 career steals entering tonight's game versus North Carolina. His 140 career steals ranks him fifth all-time at Maryland.
Rank No. Player, SPG, Years
1. 344 by Johnny Rhodes (2.8 spg; 1993-1996)
2. 193 by Keith Booth (1.53 spg; 1994-97)
3. 175 by Walt Williams (1.7 spg; 1988-92)
4. 170 by Dutch Morley (1.4 spg; 1978-82)
5. 140 by Laron Profit (1.92 spg; 1995-96 - Present)
STOP - THIEF III
Junior Laron Profit begins tonight's game versus North Carolina as one of only 14 players in ACC history to average 1.9 steals or more per game. Profit has 140 career steals in 73 career games for a 1.917 steals per game average.
Rank SPG Player, Years School
1. 2.82 Johnny Rhodes, 1993-96 Maryland
2. 2.64 Chris Corchiani, 1988-91 N.C. State
3. 2.58 Kenny Anderson, 1990-91 Georgia Tech
4. 2.31 Kerry Thompson, 1996-Present Florida State
5. 1.44 Walter Davis, 1975-77 N. Carolina
6. 2.32 Sam Cassell, 1993-94 Florida State
7. 2.31 Tyrone Bogues, 1984-87 Wake Forest
8. 2.22 Nate McMillen, 1985-86 N.C. State
9. 2.21 Jim Spanarkle, 1976-79 Duke
10. 2.01 Phil Ford, 1975-77 N. Carolina
11. 1.96 Chris Whitney, 1993-94 Clemson
12. 1.924 Spud Webb, 1984-85 N.C. State
13. 1.917 Laron Profit, 1995-Present Maryland
14. 1.90 Mark Price, 1983-86 Georgia Tech
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 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 359-234 .605 (20th season)
at Maryland 152-106 .589 (9th season)
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS IN 1997-98
Overall Record: 9-5 When Outrebound Opponent: 7-2
ACC Record: 2-2 When Outrebounded by Opp: 2-3
Home Record: 7-1 When Rebounds are Equal: 0-0
Road Record: 1-2 When Leading at Half-time: 7-1
Neutral Site Record: 1-2 When Trailing at Half-time: 2-3
Day Games: 3-1 When Tied at Half-time: 0-1
Night Games: 6-4 When Shoot Better from Field: 7-3
In Home ACC Games: 1-1 When Shoot Worse from Field: 2-2
In Road ACC Games: 1-1 Versus a Ranked Opponent: 1-3
When Score At Least 80 Points: 7-0 When Score 100+ Points: 4-0
When Score Under 80 Points: 2-5
EKEZIE PASSING THE BASKETBALL
Junior Obinna Ekezie has recorded a career-high 23 assists in the first 14 games of the season. His previous career-best was 22 assists during his sophomore season.
