Terps Head to Tallahassee for ACC Showdown
Women's hoops need a win to avoid last place in the ACC.
The Terrapins enter Thursday evening's 7 p.m. contest just one game ahead of FSU in the Atlantic Coast Conference. A Terrapin win assures Maryland of playing in the #7 vs. #8 ACC Tournament matchup next Friday evening, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. A Maryland loss against the Seminoles would leave both teams tied at 2-13 in the ACC with one game to play, and leave a potential coin flip to decide who faces #1 seed Duke in the tournament's opening round at 8 p.m. next Friday.
The coin flip would come into play if, after a Maryland loss on Thursday, the
Terps and Seminoles either both win or both lose on Sunday. FSU plays its regular
season finale at Virginia.
Florida State at Virginia, 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEB. 26
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
#7 Seed vs. #8 Seed, 6 p.m.
#1 Seed vs. #9 Seed, 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEB. 27
ACC Tournament at Charlotte, N.C. (Independence Arena)
#4 Seed vs. #5 Seed, RSN-1 p.m.
#2 Seed vs. #7/8 Winner, 3:30 p.m.
#3 Seed vs. #6 Seed, 6 p.m.
RECORDS
Maryland is 5-19 overall and 2-12 in the ACC following its 86-53 loss at NC State.
Florida State is 6-18 overall and 1-13 in the ACC following its 80-68 defeat at the
hands of Wake Forest on Monday. Georgia Tech is 13-11 overall and 6-8 in the league
following its 69-41 loss at Clemson last Thursday. The Yellow Jackets host Virginia
on Thursday (Feb. 18) before traveling to College Park.
ACC TOURNAMENT SEEDING
With ACC Tournament play beginning next week on Feb. 26, each of the league's nine
teams are posturing this week for final seeding positions.
Maryland, currently eighth in the league sandwiched one game in between Wake
Forest in seventh and Florida State in ninth, can secure a spot in the #7 vs. #8
game with a win at Florida State this week. Even a Florida State win at Virginia,
and a Maryland loss to Georgia Tech on Sunday would not change anything, as Maryland
would win a tiebreaker with FSU by virtue of two wins over the Seminoles.
Should FSU win this week's game with Maryland, the Terps could still finish ahead
of the Seminoles with a win over Georgia Tech and an FSU loss at Virginia.
Should FSU win Thursday night's game and both teams win their Sunday games,
Florida State would claim the #8 seed by virtue of defeating higher-seeded Virginia.
Should FSU win Thursday night's game and both teams lose their Sunday games, a
coin flip would determine the #8 and #9 seeds, as both teams' two wins would be
identical - Wake Forest and each other.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Terps play 10 games this season against teams ranked in national top 25 polls.
Last week's rankings:
AP (Feb. 15) ESPN/USA Today (Feb. 15)
7. Rutgers 8. Rutgers
8. Duke 10. Duke
12. North Carolina 13. North Carolina
T14. Clemson 15. Penn State
16. Penn State 16. Clemson
17. Virginia T17. Virginia
COACHES
Maryland's Chris Weller (Maryland '66) has guided her alma mater to a national
championship game and three Final Four appearances. Now in her 24th season, she has
engineered an unprecedented eight ACC championships while compiling a 453-240 (.655)
overall record. She is 163-122 (.574) in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In 1995, she
became just the fifth coach in women's college basketball history to earn at least
400 victories at the same school. Three years earlier, her Terps were No. 1-ranked
for a month which led to her naming as the 1992 Naismith and USBWA national coach of
the year.
She is 14-3 lifetime vs. Florida State, and 2-1 vs. Sue Semrau. Weller is 30-9
lifetime against Georgia Tech, and 16-7 vs. Agnus Berenato.
Florida State's Sue Semrau (UC San Diego '85) is 15-36 in her second season at
Florida State, and second season overall. She is 6-24 in the ACC.
Georgia Tech's Agnus Berenato (Mount St. Mary's '80) is 217-206 in her 15th season
as a college head coach. She is 157-151 in her 11th season with the Yellow Jackets,
and 57-110 in ACC games. She guided Tech to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1993,
and the National Women's Invitational Tournament championship in 1992.
SERIES HISTORY
Maryland defeated Florida State 94-76 on Jan. 17 in what was its largest ACC
victory margin this season. Maryland and FSU split a pair of meetings last season -
FSU winning 53-50 in Tallahassee and the Terps victorious 77-49 in the final game of
the regular season at Cole Field House. Maryland owns a 14-3 lead in the series,
winning seven of the last eight. Maryland is 5-2 against the Seminoles at FSU, last
winning by a 65-58 count on Jan. 15, 1997.
Maryland and Georgia Tech have met 39 times overall, dating to the opening game of
the 1979-80 campaign. Maryland is 30-9 against the Yellow Jackets including three of
the last four after dropping a 72-56 road decision on Jan. 21 this season. Only once
in 18 tries has Georgia Tech ever won at Cole Field House - 67-59 on Feb. 5, 1995.
NEXT GAMES
Maryland joins the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference at the annual ACC
Tournament beginning next week, Feb. 26 to March 1.
A new format in 1999 has the #7 and #8 seeds opening tourney play at 6 p.m. next
Friday, followed by a #1 vs. #9 matchup at 8 p.m. The winner of the #1/#9 matchup
advances to semifinal play on Sunday, Feb. 28.
Quarterfinal matchups pit #4 vs. #5 in an ACC-TV game at 1 p.m. on Feb. 27. The
#7/#8 winner meets the #2 seed at 3:30 p.m., followed by #3 vs. #6 at 6 p.m.
Semifinal games feature the #1/#9 winner vs. #4/#5 winner at 1 p.m. The other
semifinal tips at 3:30.
Monday's championship game tips at 8 p.m. Both semifinal games and the ACC
championship game are televised on the ACC-TV network.
RADIO/TV SCHEDULE
Seventeen Maryland women's basketball games are carried on live radio this season
between the Maryland/Learfield Network with WBAL (1090-AM) in Baltimore as the
flagship station, and campus radio station WMUC (650-AM and 88.1-FM).
The Terps appear on four regionally televised games during the ACC season
beginning with a Jan. 21 date at Georgia Tech. Subsequent dates include Maryland at
Duke on Feb. 1, Virginia at Maryland on Feb. 8, and Maryland at NC State on Feb. 15.
Remaining games on the Terrapin radio/TV broadcast schedule:
Feb. 21 Georgia Tech WMUC
Feb. 26 -
March 1 ACC Tournament WMUC
FOXSS-TV denotes FOX Sports South
RSN-TV denotes Home Team Sports, FOX Sports South and Sunshine Network.
TERP TICKETS
Tickets for Terrapin women's basketball games are available by calling the Terp
ticket office at 301-314-7070 or 800-462-TERP. Tickets for all home games are $5 for
adults and $3 for youth 18 and under.
TERP PROMOTIONS
Information or additional group tickets may be obtained by calling the Maryland
sports marketing office at 301-314-5252.
The Georgia Tech game is Senior Day in honor of Terp senior Kelley Gibson, who
will be honored during pregame ceremonies. Other activities slated for the final
home game are Girl Scout Day, D.A.R.E. Day and Mom & Daughter Day.
All D.A.R.E. students are admitted free, guests are $3. All tickets for mom's &
daughters in attendance are $2.
MARYLAND SPORTS ON THE INTERNET
All the latest in Terrapin sports news is at your computer fingertips by accessing
www.umterps.com. Men's and women's basketball recaps are available following every
game, as well as biographies on every player and a look back at Terrapin history.
Notes and statistics are updated weekly.
Recently added to the Terrapin Web Site is a new On-Line shopping area where
visitors and fans can shop exclusively for Maryland merchandise and products.
TERRAPIN FANPHONE
Information on Maryland athletics and a recap of every Maryland men's and women's
basketball game can be obtained by calling the Terrapin Fanphone at 301-314-TERP.
TERRAPIN NOTEBOOK
CALL IT JUST A BAD GAME
The Terps return to the court on Thursday evening at Florida State hoping to shake
from their systems a "bad game" on Monday night at NC State.
Riding the hopes of an upset after an impressive stretch during five games over 11
days in the past two weeks, Maryland's improved play was halted against the Wolfpack
in an 86-53 loss.
After scoring the game's opening bucket, Maryland did not score another field goal
until 8:10 remained in the half. The Terps opened the game shooting just 11 percent
over those first 12 minutes, and found themselves trailing 21-5. Maryland never
recovered, and suffered its worst loss during the second half of the ACC season.
Said coach Chris Weller following the game, "We just had a bad game. I don't have
an answer for it. I guess since we've lost badly to NC State in both games this
year, they probably had something to do with it. But this was not at all the way
we've been playing. We just had a bad game."
SENIOR GIBSON
Perhaps no other player in Maryland history has undergone the turmoil and hard
luck that has traced the career of Maryland senior Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.).
Gibson winds through the final games of her Terrapin career this week and next,
seeking to become the 18th player in Maryland history to score 1,000 points while
continuing to climb career charts in 3-point field goals, assists, steals and
blocked shots.
A fifth-year senior, Gibson has overcome three knee injuries and has captained a
team this season which has been saddled with as many obstacles as any in Terp
history. She plays her final home game on Sunday against Georgia Tech.
LARGEST CROWD
Maryland's crowd for the North Carolina game last Thursday, 2,817, was its largest
home gathering this season and raised the Terps' average attendance to its largest
in the last two seasons.
Maryland has averaged 1,162 in 14 home dates in 1998-99, and 1,607 in seven ACC
home dates - despite a 5-18 record.
Maryland attendance figures the last three seasons:
Year (Record) Overall / Avg. ACC / Avg.
1996-97 (18-10) 20,124 / 1,548 (13) 16,954 / 2,119 (9)
1997-98 (15-13) 14,873 / 1,144 (13) 12,641 / 1,580 (8)
1998-99 (5-18) 16,277 / 1,162 (14) 11,248 / 1,607 (7)
SINCE THE BREAK
Maryland is 5-10 since the holiday break, but it's worth noting to whom those
losses have been: No. 17 Duke, No. 22 Virginia, No. 6 North Carolina, No. 15
Clemson, No. 9 Duke, No. 18 Virginia, No. 14 North Carolina and two against
defending national semifinalist NC State.
The Georgia Tech loss was Maryland's ONLY loss in that stretch to a team not at
least receiving votes in major polls - but three days later, the Yellow Jackets
upset North Carolina and received votes in the AP poll for the first time this
season.
Since the return of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson, Maryland is 5-11. The
additional loss was to then-No. 15 Rutgers.
RPI MEASURING STICK
If national RPI ratings can be an indicator of how far the Terrapins had fallen
before Brown and Gibson's return, they also may be used to measure the Terps' rise
since their return. The Terps have risen 99 spots since the return of Tiffany Brown
(Clinton, Md.) and Kelley Gibson (Easton, Md.) - 42 spots alone since the Virginia &
North Carolina road trip.
- Maryland fell to a 252 rating on Dec. 20, its lowest of the season.
- The Terps' current rating of 153 is based largely on the 9th-rated schedule
strength in the country. Here is a look at Maryland's season progression (all ratings
reflect games of dates reflected):
Dec. 13 244 Jan. 16 186 Feb. 16 153
Dec. 20 252 Jan. 18 170
Dec. 27 232 Jan. 22 180
Dec. 31 207 Jan. 25 178
Jan. 1 210 Jan. 29 170
Jan. 4 200 Feb. 4 166
Jan. 7 196 Feb. 8 158
Jan. 8 197 Feb. 10 155
Jan. 11 181 Feb. 11 154
EVIDENCE OF GROWING UP
Evidence of Maryland's improvement is in its scoring trend since the return of
Kelley Gibson and Tiffany Brown on Dec. 22. Not only have Gibson and Brown sparked
an improvement in play, but Maryland's six freshmen are fast becoming sophomores.
In eight games prior to Brown & Gibson's return, Maryland never had scored more
than 57 points.
In 16 games since, the Terps have mustered five wins and scored 60 points or
better on nine occasions. Eight of Maryland's opponents during that stretch have
been nationally-ranked. The Terps have exceeded the 70-point barrier four times
since the return of Brown and Gibson.
Maryland Scoring
First 8 games (overall) 386 (8) 48.3
Last 16 games
Overall 1,016 (16) 63.5
vs. ACC 715 (12) 59.6
vs. Top 25 460 (8) 57.5
IN THE THIRD SEASON
If Maryland's 0-8 beginning without Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson constitutes
the Terps' "first season," the first trip through the ACC might constitute their
"second" season.
In the "third" season, its second trip through the ACC, Maryland is monumentally
improved:
- Maryland lost by 41 at Clemson on Dec. 5, but were within five points of an
upset with 3:03 to play on Jan. 28.
- Maryland lost to Wake Forest by 18 points at home on Dec. 13, but withstood 59
percent shooting by the Deacons in a second meeting to pull out a 68-66 nailbiter on
the road.
- Duke beat the Terps by 29 on Jan. 2 in College Park and by 18 on Feb. 1 in
Durham. The Terps trailed 45-25 at the intermission during the first meeting, but
were tied at 33 in the second.
- Maryland trailed 55-25 at halftime at Chapel Hill on Jan. 10, but trailed by
only three, 40-37, at the break last Thursday night to the Heels.
2ND HALF IN THE SECOND HALF
If "competitive" is the new operative word around the Maryland camp, the next task
is to win not only during the first half.
In seven of the Terps' last eight ACC games, Maryland has been "even" at the
intermission. Only three times during those eight games have the Terps not been
within five points during the game's final 4:00. Maryland's trendy halves:
Date Opponent Final 1st 2nd
Jan. 17 Florida State W, 94-76 50-25 44-51
Maryland's largest ACC victory margin provided confidence leading into the final stretch of the year.
Jan. 21 at Ga. Tech L, 56-72 22-28 34-44
Trailed 51-46 w/3:45 to play, Tech scores eight straight for 59-46 lead with 1:46 remaining.
Jan. 28 Clemson L, 45-55 26-32 19-23
Cut 11-pt. deficit to 50-45 with 3:03 to play, Tigers score game's last five points.
Feb. 1 at Duke L, 54-72 33-33 21-39
Gibson 3FG makes it 53-48 with 10:16 to play, but Terps don't score again until 3:49 remaining.
Feb. 6 at Wake Forest W, 68-66 32-27 36-39
Terps lead 37-27 at 18:39 of second half, but 10-of-14 Deacs shooting gives Wake a lead at 5-minute mark. Warley layup knots score at 66 w/1:18 to play and Bogunovic (0:14) and Brown (0:12) FTs seal the win.
Feb. 8 Virginia L, 55-69 25-27 30-42
Gibson jumper cuts UVa lead to 58-55 with 3:47 to play, but Cavs score game's final 11 points.
Feb. 11 North Carolina L, 63-78 37-40 26-38
After a 44-44 deadlock w/16:05 to play, UNC outscores Terps 27-10 during pivotal stretch midway
through second half.
Feb. 15 at NC State L, 53-86 16-32 37-54
An aberration. The only of the last eight games in which the Terps were never in the game.
WHY?
Primary factors for the Terps improvement are obvious: the blending of Tiffany
Brown and Kelley Gibson into the lineup, and the maturity of six freshmen.
Why the second half demise? Perhaps the explanation is as easy as youth and depth.
Check these statistics:
- Besides being the youngest team in the rugged ACC with the afore-mentioned
freshmen, three Maryland players are ranked among the ACC's top four minutes leaders
in ACC games.
ACC MINUTES AVG. IN ACC GAMES
1. Tiffany Brown, Maryland 38.0
2. Kelley Gibson, Maryland 36.5
3. Tynesha Lewis, NC State 34.2
4. Marche Strickland, Maryland 34.0
- Freshman Strickland leads the ACC in minutes played per game overall with 34.1.
- Overall, Maryland players have played an entire 40-minute game on 22 occasions
this season. In ACC games alone, Terrapin individuals have accounted for 15 40-
minute efforts in just 14 games.
- Terp freshmen have accounted for a Maryland record 53 starting assignments in
just 23 games. The Terps have had no less than two freshmen start every game, with
as many as four during the early season.
TELLING STATS AND SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT
Missing easily their most athletic returning starters, and the top returning
scorers and assist makers from a year ago in Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson,
Terrapin deficiencies have been obvious most of this season.
Shooting Woes
Early evidence of their absence was poor shooting (55-152, .362, through three
games) and ballhandling by a team comprised mostly of freshmen and almost
exclusively by newcomers.
However - Maryland has rallied to shoot 40 percent or better in six of its last 11
games.
Turnovers
For much of Maryland's season, the Terps have averaged nearly 30 turnovers and
more than two turnovers per assist. Recently, however, ballhandling trends have
improved.
Shooting Assists-Turnovers
First 3 games 55-152, .362 31-82 (1.0-2.6)
Next 5 games 109-263, .414 80-131 (1.0-1.6)
Last 15 games 375-860, .436 265-324 (1.0-1.2)
Season 542-1275, .425 376-537 (1.0-1.4)
TURNOVERS LESSENED
In Maryland's last seven games, including four against Top 25 opponents, the Terps
have averaged just 19.4 turnovers (136), down from an early season average of over
26 per game.
STARTING TANDEM
Combined, the Brown (47) and Gibson (56) tandem have started 103 games over the
last two-plus seasons. Gibson has started 72 games during a five-year career that
has been marked by three knee injuries.
WARLEY'S CONTINUED EMERGENCE
The most impressive and consistent of Maryland's stable of freshman has been 6-2
forward/center Deedee Warley.
- A leading candidate for ACC Rookie of the Year honors, Warley leads the team in
scoring (13.2) and blocks (0.6), and is second in rebounds (5.7) and field goal
percentage (.498). She is ranked among conference leaders in scoring, field goal
pct. and blocks during ACC league contests.
- She recorded career highs and her first double-double with 31 points and 10
rebounds in the win over Morgan State. She followed that effort with a 23-point game
at Wake Forest to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this
season. She had another 23-point effort vs. Virginia.
- Warley was chosen the ACC Rookie of the Week following the Penn State and Wake
Forest games with then-career bests of 18 and 12 points, respectively.
- Warley's candidacy for a third conference rookie of the week award was blown
when Georgia Tech freshman Neisha Butler scored 40 points against Florida State -
during the same week that Warley was named MVP of the Terrapin Classic.
- A local product of St. John's High School, and a one-time teammate of Perry and
Tiffany Brown at Elizabeth Seton High, Warley has scored in double figures in 16
games this season. She provides the Terps with a bonafide inside scoring threat.
- Warley has been effective from the low post and driving toward the bucket, but
most impressive has been her soft touch jumper from 10-to-15 feet. Warley shoots
49.8 percent from the floor with a majority of her scoring actually away from the
basket.
- In the Terrapin Classic, she scored 42 points with 17 rebounds in two games
while earning acclaim as the tourney's most valuable player. Her 23 points and nine
rebounds vs. Coppin State both were career-bests.
FRESHMAN LEADING SCORER
Warley is bidding to become just the fourth freshman in Maryland history to lead
the Terps in scoring. Stephanie Cross (11.5) accomplished the feat in 1995. Other
freshmen to lead Maryland in scoring were Beth Hunt in 1987 (16.1) and Deanna Tate
in 1986 (16.7).
NATIONALLY-RANKED BROWN
In 16 games since her return, Brown averages 7.0 assists which would lead the ACC,
and rank ninth nationally (according to stats released Feb. 15) - given she had
played enough games to qualify (75 percent of total team games is required).
1. Dalma Ivanyi, Florida Int'l Sr 21 196 9.3
2. Nikki Kremer, Xavier Sr 22 193 8.8
3. Lisa Witherspoon, Va. Tech Sr 22 184 8.4
4. Amy Vachon, Maine Jr 19 156 8.2
5. Helen Darling, Penn St. Jr 23 182 7.9
6. Brandi McCain, Florida Fr 26 198 7.6
7. Erica Gomez, UCLA Jr 23 174 7.6
8. Amy Sheiron, Sam Houston St. Sr 19 139 7.3
9. Tiffany Brown, Maryland Jr 16 112 7.0
10. Letitia Hall, Southern Jr 21 144 6.9
CHECKING THE CHARTS
As Brown and Gibson return to the lineup this season, here's a look at where they
rank among Maryland career leaders.
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOALS FGs
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 96
2. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 75
3. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 62
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 327
2. Kelley Gibson, 1994-present 231
3. Carla Holmes, 1988-91 199
CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PCT. Pct.
1. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92 32-77 .416
2. Terri Bradley, 1989-90 21-53 .396
3. Kim Bretz, 1995-97 26-66 .394
6. Aluma Goren, 1990-91 28-82 .341
7. Estelle Christy, 1989-92 21-63 .333
8. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97 39-130 .300
8. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 96-327 .294
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 18-65 .277
13. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 62-231 .268
CAREER ASSISTS Assists
1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 583
2. Tara Heiss, 1975-78 504
3. Deanna Tate, 1986, 88-89 500
8. Sonia Chase, 1995-98 371
9. Jasmina Perazic, 1980-83 342
10. Karon Ferguson, 1992-95 294
11. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 293
12. Tiffany Brown, 1997-present 251
Dafne Lee, 1989-92 251
14. Katrina Colleton 1990-93 243
CAREER STEALS Steals
1. Debbie Lytle, 1980-83 315
2. Sonia Chase, 1995-98 309
7. Lisa Brown, 1985-88 212
8. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 188
9. Marcia Richardson, 1981-84 182
10. Subrena Rivers, 1986-90 162
11. Dafne Lee, 1989-92 153
12. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 148
13. Jessie Hicks, 1990-93 139
CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS Blocks
1. Kris Kirchner, 1977-80 186
2. Vicky Bullett, 1985-89 170
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98 46
13. Lydia McAiley, 1979-82 43
14. Kelley Gibson, 1995-present 41
15. Belinda Pearman, 1981-84 36
DOWNTOWN BROWN
Tiffany Brown needs just four 3-pointers to become the first player in Terp
history with 100 treys in a career.
PLAYMAKER BROWN
Brown currently owns the second-best assist average in Maryland single season
annals. Her 7.0 assists trail only the school record pace of Tara Heiss' 8.0 during
the 1977-78 campaign.
SINGLE SEASON ASSIST AVERAGE G Ast Avg
1. Tara Heiss, 1978 31 249 8.0
2. Tiffany Brown, 1999 16 112 7.0
3. Deanna Tate, 1989 32 217 6.8
4. Debbie Lytle, 1982 32 183 5.7
Brown also is within striking distance of single season leaders for total assists
despite playing just 16 games so far this season.
SINGLE SEASON ASSISTS Assists
1. Tara Heiss, 1978 249
2. Deanna Tate, 1989 217
3. Debbie Lytle, 1982 183
4. Deanna Tate, 1988 177
10. Subrena Rivers, 1990 142
11. Limor Mizrachi, 1992 141
12. Carla Holmes, 1988 138
13. Aluma Goren, 1991 132
14. Jasmina Perazic, 1983 131
15. Kelley Gibson, 1998 119
- Tiffany Brown, 1999 112
LINEUP SHUFFLE
The Terps have used 10 different starting lineups for the season. The Warley-
Gibson-Brown-Strickland quartet has been utilized in 13 of the last 14 games.
Freshman March Strickland is the only player to start every game.
FERRIS & THE FRESHMEN
Boasting six freshmen on the roster and missing returning starters Tiffany Brown
and Kelley Gibson, the Terps obviously counted heavily on those half-dozen freshmen
during the early season. Maryland newcomers, including JC transfer Cara Ferris,
accounted for 74 percent of total minutes played during its first eight games. Some
opening eight games numbers:
Player Minutes Points Rebounds
March Strickland 301 80 23
Deedee Warley 210 69 36
Ginji Perry 164 27 18
Rosita Melbourne 193 57 47
Ije Agba 53 15 11
Marija Ilic 14 0 3
Freshmen Totals 935 248 138
Percent of Team Total 58% 64% 43%
Cara Ferris (JC Transfer) 245 25 46
Newcomer Totals 1180 273 184
Percent of Team Total 74% 71% 58%
MARYLAND TOTALS 1600 386 318
HOW INEXPERIENCED?
Before the return of Brown and Gibson against Rutgers, Maryland was playing with
just one of its top eight scorers from last season. Branka Bogunovic was the ONLY
player that averaged 2.0 points or better or played even 10 minutes per game last
season.
Counting Antonieta Gabriel as a "virtual" newcomer after a 1.4 point average in
8.1 minutes last season, "newcomers" averaged 87.5% of Maryland's minutes, 73.3% of
scoring and 82.1% of rebounds during Maryland's first eight games.
BEST CLASS SINCE '85-86?
Not since the freshman campaign of current pros Deanna Tate and Olympian Vicky
Bullett has Maryland welcomed a freshman class with as much promise. The Terps
boasted seven freshmen out of 15 players in 1985-86, compared to six of 12 on this
season's roster.
The '98-99 freshman class has been regarded as one of the top 20 classes in the
country, and includes the 40th-rated prospect in Rosita Melbourne.
The '85-86 team finished 17-13 overall and just 6-8 in the ACC, but rebounded to
win the sixth of Chris Weller's eight ACC tournament titles. Maryland fell to Ohio
State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
FRESHMEN DEPENDENCY
Different from the '85-86 team is this season's total dependence on those
freshmen. Freshmen on the afore mentioned 1985-86 club totaled 46 starts through a
30-game season.
So far after 24 games this year, Maryland freshmen have registered 53 starting
assignments - at least two freshmen have started in every game.
- Four Terp freshmen (Melbourne, Perry, Strickland, Warley) average at least 14
minutes per game.
- Strickland has started in every game, while Warley has started in 19 of 24.
- Strickland leads all ACC players with a 34.1-minute average.
NOT JUST FRESHMEN, (VERY) LOCAL TOO
Maryland's bumper crop of freshmen
includes a quartet of local stars that come widely regarded by local and national
publications. Ije Agba, Rosita Melbourne, Ginji Perry and Deedee Warley all prepped
at D.C.-area high schools and received All-Met honors by the Washington Post.
Melbourne arrives as potentially the best post athlete during Weller's tenure and
was a highly regarded recruit nationally.
Perry was the All-Met Player of the Year in 1996-97. All played their high school
ball within 20 minutes of the Maryland campus.
A QUICK GLANCE AHEAD
From its current roster, only Kelley Gibson is scheduled to depart for the 1999-
2000 season. Returning for next season, by class, will be four seniors (Bogunovic,
Brown, Ferris, Gabriel), a junior (Moore) and six sophomores.
Already signed for next season is 5-7 point guard Vicki Brick, the Baltimore
area's player of the year last season from McDonogh High.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP
PROBABLE STARTERS Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
F 34 Deedee Warley (24/19) 6-2 Fr. Fort Washington, Md. 13.2 5.7 1.1 UM's 4th freshman scoring leader
F 45 Kelley Gibson (16/15) 5-11 Sr. Easton, Md. 12.9 4.1 4.0 Double-digit points in 10 of last 11 gms
C 55 Branka Bogunovic (24/20) 6-8 Jr. Zemun, Serbia 11.3 6.8 0.1 Seven double-doubles this season
G 3 Tiffany Brown (16/16) 5-6 Jr. Clinton, Md. 5.9 3.8 7.0 ACC steals leader in league games
G 20 March Strickland (24/24) 5-9 Fr. Kingston, Mass. 8.4 3.0 3.3 Only Terp to start all 24 games
TOP RESERVES Ht. Yr. Hometown PPG RPG APG Notes
G 25 Ginji Perry (23/1) 5-11 Fr. Hyattsville, Md. 4.6 2.1 1.5 27 pts, 3 assists, 4 steals vs. FSU
F 32 Antonieta Gabriel (19/6) 6-0 Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. 1.8 4.2 1.0 Among UM leaders in RPG, APG
F 33 Cara Ferris (23/11) 6-1 Jr. Pensacola, Fla. 3.6 3.5 1.0 Last 3 games - 7.3 pts in 22.7 min.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS
1
Terp seniors that have played this season.
2
Tiffany Brown's rank among Maryland single season assist leaders.
3
Only three classes of players under Chris Weller have failed to participate in at least one Sweet Sixteen appearance.
3 and 5
Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson rank third and fifth in the ACC in league game assists.
6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.
7
Double-double efforts by Branka Bogunovic.
7.0 and 9th
16-game assist average for Tiffany Brown which would rank her ninth in the country. Her
previous career average was 2.7.
9
Terps' national strength of schedule rating.
9
Teams on the 1998-99 Terrapin schedule that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.
10
Terrapin starting lineups in 1998-99.
18
Assists by Tiffany Brown vs. Morgan State were the most by a Div. I player since 1994.
24
Freshman March Strickland is the only Terrapin to start every game this season.
31
Career-high points by Deedee Warley vs. Morgan State.
53
Starting assignments by Maryland freshmen.
73
Points that Kelley Gibson needs to become the 18th 1,000-point scorer in Terp history.
99
Spots of improvement in national RPI ratings since Dec. 22 game vs. Rutgers.
QUOTING COACH WELLER
On the NC State game: "We've had better days. I didn't think we played very well. I think
you have to attribute part of that to NC State. They were very smart, very poised,
they're a very good team in the way they attack things. I thought that we were a little
frazzled. I don't know why, exactly. It was a very physical game. I think the physical
nature of the game caused us to back off a little bit."
On the need for floor leadership: "I thought Tiffany Brown, on our team, was the only
player I felt started the game and played from beginning to end with the competitive
level that you need to be successful. I don't know why, but we were just tentative. I'm
not sure why."
On reversing the recent trend: "I wish I knew why. I don't know. NC State played very
well. We just did not have a very good game. We've been playing relatively well pretty
consistently. This is just a bad game. Probably you need to credit a little of that to
State. But, obviously, you've got to hand some of the blame to us, too. We just played a
bad game today. Sorry. We just didn't play well today."
On the North Carolina game: "In the first half, I was pleased with our play. We played
well, especially considering we were down 30 to [North Carolina] at their place. We tried
to draw some fouls in the second half, and while we were successful in doing that, we
took some ill-advised shots. That let them run a little bit, and then we turned the ball
over and it let Carolina get into its transition game. We just have to get to the point
where we can play an entire 40 minutes without the breakdowns and lapses that bite us
every night. We're right there. We could have had a couple of these games recently. We're
playing well enough to win most of the time. We're just not to the point, yet, where
we're doing it ALL of the time."
On the Virginia game: "We didn't play a very good second half. I guess Virginia had
something to do with that. We just had some turnovers we shouldn't have had. They were
not necessarily forced. We're a little disappointed in our turnovers. I thought both
teams played pretty well in the first half tonight, and Virginia played pretty well in
both halves. I think we let down and lost our composure a little bit late in the game.
Virginia's very athletic. They hurt us on penetration in the second half."
On a low-scoring, rugged game: "You've got two teams who were playing pretty tough
defense is why it was so rugged. That's [Virginia's] style. We want it to be our style.
It will be when we get a little more mature. That's ACC basketball."
On possibly meeting Virginia again in the ACC Tournament: "It doesn't matter at all who
we play. We're just trying to win games."
1998-99 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER
No. Name Ht. Pos. Cl.-Exp. Hometown/HS (Previous School)
30 Ijeoma Agba 6-0 F Fr.-HS Rockville, Md./Wheaton
55 Branka Bogunovic 6-8 C Jr.-2V Zemun, Serbia/Zemun
3 Tiffany Brown 5-6 G Jr.-2V Clinton, Md./Elizabeth Seton
33 Cara Ferris 6-1 F Jr.-JC Pensacola, Fla./Washington (Pensacola JC)
32 Antonieta Gabriel 6-0 F Jr.-1V Virginia Beach, Va./Salem (U. of D.C.)
45 Kelley Gibson 5-11 G-F Sr.-3V Easton, Md./Easton
24 Marija Ilic 5-11 G Fr.-HS New Belgrade, Yugoslavia/Ocean City, N.J.
42 Rosita Melbourne 6-3 F-C Fr.-HS Washington, D.C./H.D. Woodson
12 Leah Moore 5-8 G So.-HS Rye, N.Y./Rye
25 Ginji Perry 5-11 G Fr.-HS Hyattsville, Md./Elizabeth Seton
20 March Strickland 5-9 G Fr.-HS Kingston, Mass./Silver Lake
34 Deedee Warley 6-2 F Fr.-HS Fort Washington, Md./St. John's
Head Coach: Chris Weller (Maryland '66/24th season)
Assistant Coach: Christy Winters (Maryland '90/2nd season)
Assistant Coach: Jeanette Armentano (Queens College '81/1st season)
Assistant Coach: Karl Smesko (Kent '93/1st season)
Director of Women's Basketball Operations: Jimmy Howard (Greensboro College '86/1st season)
