University of Maryland Athletics

THURSDAY, JAN. 7

FRIDAY, JAN. 8

SUNDAY, JAN. 10

MONDAY, JAN. 11

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

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MONDAY, JAN. 18

THURSDAY, JAN. 21

FRIDAY, JAN. 22

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MONDAY, JAN. 25

THURSDAY, JAN. 28

SUNDAY, JAN. 31

MONDAY, FEB. 1

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

SUNDAY, FEB. 7

MARYLAND TERRAPINS PROBABLE LINEUP

PROBABLE STARTERS                    Ht.  Yr.  Hometown              PPG   RPG   APG   Notes
F   34   Deedee Warley (12/8)       6-2   Fr.  Fort Washington, Md. 11.5   5.2   1.5   20.3 points in last three games
F   45   Kelley Gibson (4/3)       5-11   Sr.  Easton, Md.          13.3   4.0   3.8   36 points in last two games
C   55   Branka Bogunovic (12/11)   6-8   Jr.  Zemun, Serbia        11.1   6.7   0.1   Four double-doubles this season
G    3   Tiffany Brown (4/4)        5-6   Jr.  Clinton, Md.         10.8   1.8   8.5   22 pts, 19 assists, 7 steals in Classic
G   20   March Strickland (12/12)   5-9   Fr.  Kingston, Mass.      11.1   3.3   3.5   Only Terp to start all 12 games

TOP RESERVES                         Ht.  Yr.   Hometown             PPG   RPG   APG   Notes
G   25   Ginji Perry (11/1)        5-11   Fr.   Hyattsville, Md.     2.8   2.4   1.9   19 minutes per game
F   32   Antonieta Gabriel (11/6)   6-0   Jr.   Virginia Beach, Va.  1.7   5.9   2.9   Among UM leaders in rebounds, assists
F   33   Cara Ferris (11/7)         6-1   Jr.   Pensacola, Fla.      2.7   5.0   1.5   Among UM leaders in FG% and steals
F   42   Rosita Melbourne (12/7)    6-3   Fr.   Washington, D.C.     5.6   4.9   0.7   4th in ACC in blocked shots (1.0)

TERRAPIN NOTEBOOK

RETURN TO THE ACC
But for a Feb. 3 bout with state rival Morgan State, Maryland turns its attention to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Beginning with last Saturday's bout with Duke, the Terps embark on a January schedule that consists of seven straight ACC affairs. A return date at Duke awaits the Terrapins on Feb. 1 before breaking for the final non-conference bout with Morgan State. Fourteen of Maryland's 15 regular season games are against ACC opponents.

TERPS IN THE CLASSIC
Winning its third straight Terrapin Classic and its sixth in nine tournaments, Maryland is now 15-3 all-time in its holiday tournament. The Terps' losses in the tournament have been to Southern California, Washington and Penn State in its only championship game defeats. The Terps have never lost a first round game.

A DOUBLY GOOD CLASSIC
While winning its own tournament for the third straight time last week, Maryland won its first games of the season - and did so in Classic fashion.

Not only did the Terps break out of a nine-game losing skid, Maryland placed four players on the all-tournament team including MVP Deedee Warley, and recorded season-best efforts in virtually every offensive category. In the opening round win over Coppin State, two individuals - and nearly four - recorded double-doubles.

HOW CLASSIC?
The Terps set offensive bests for the season in three consecutive games since the return starters Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson.

Maryland had its best second half (36) and final score (61) in its loss to No. 15 Rutgers. All previous bests were blown out the window in the win over Coppin State, and more still against Richmond. A look:

Points, Game -                  82 vs. Coppin State
Points, 1st Half -              34 vs. Coppin State
Points, 2nd Half -              48 vs. Coppin State
Scoring Margin -               +19 vs. Coppin State
Field Goals Made -              33 vs. Coppin State
Field Goals Attempted -         63 vs. Coppin State
Field Goal Percentage -       .524 (33-63) vs. Coppin State
3-Pt. Field Goals Made -         4 vs. Rutgers
3-Pt. Field Goals Attempted -   13 vs. Rutgers
3-Pt. Field Goal Percentage - .308 (4-13) vs. Rutgers
Free Throws Made -              22 vs. Richmond
Free Throws Attempted -         34 vs. Richmond
Assists -                       21 vs. Coppin State
Blocked Shots -                  7 vs. Coppin State
Steals -                        13 vs. Richmond/Coppin State

ALMOST LIKE NIGHT AND DAY
Though the Terps have still averaged nearly 26 turnovers in each of their last three games, the return to the Maryland lineup of Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson has provided a near "night and day" contrast to the season's first eight games.

Starting guards from a year ago, Brown and Gibson saw game action against Rutgers for the first time since last season, and immediately provided the Terps with improved ball movement, penetration and offensive execution.

Maryland shot 44 percent from the floor, registered 19 assists and scored a season-high 61 points in the loss to Rutgers. Against Coppin State, the Terps shot 52 percent, collected 21 assists and scored 82 points. Against the Spiders, the Terps shot 47 percent, collected 18 assists and scored 72 points.

"It was the best game we've played all year," said Chris Weller following the Rutgers game. "We have a whole new substitution pattern now, and a whole new lineup." Similar comments have followed each of the next two games.

Commented Rutgers coach Vivian Stringer, "Maryland will be successful when they get some rhythm and timing. When you are struggling without a point guard, that makes all the difference in the world. Maryland will definitely hurt somebody in January, and before the season is over. We were just lucky enough to come in here and play well enough to leave with a win."

Added Duke coach Gail Goestenkors, "With [Kelley] Gibson and [Tiffany] Brown back, Maryland is much better than they were. And they'll be much better than they are now."

3-STREAK SNAPPED
Buoyed by Tiffany Brown's three 3-pointers on nine attempts, Maryland scored its first 3-pointer in five games against Rutgers. Entering the Rutgers game, Maryland had gone four games without a trey, and had hit just one in six games.

Maryland's four 3-pointers against Rutgers fell just one shy of the team's total through its first eight games. Ironically, Brown missed Maryland's only 3-point attempt against Coppin State.

B.B.G. - THE DEAL ABOUT THE "RETURN"
The Rutgers game on Dec. 22 marked the return of a pair of longtime Terrapin starters, Tiffany Brown and Kelley Gibson. Brown, out for academic reasons during the first semester, was cleared to play just a day earlier. Gibson, still rehabilitating from an ACL tear in September, played 27 minutes in a surprisingly early return to action. She was not expected to return until January.

Before Brown & Gibson (B.B.G.), the Terps were 0-8 and boasted an RPI rating of 252 out of 304 women's Division I teams. Maryland averaged 48 points per game while allowing 68.9. They had turned the ball over 213 times, compared to just 111 assists. At least twice, opponents scored 30 or more points off turnovers, and only one game had been determined by less than 18 points. And included in those were first-time losses to Howard and Hampton.

Since the return, Maryland has averaged 69.0 points and scored over 60 in all four games. Maryland's previous high was 57 in a loss to Western Michigan. Though turnovers still exceed assists, the ratio is much more pleasant: 92 turnovers to 78 assists. Against Duke, in fact, Maryland posted more assists (20) than turnovers (18) for the first time this season.

RPI MEASURING STICK
If national RPI ratings can be an indicator of how far the Terrapins had fallen B.B.G., they also may be used to measure the Terps' rise since Brown & Gibson's return. The Terps have risen 45 spots since the return of Brown and Gibson.

Dec. 13   244   Jan. 1   210
Dec. 20   252
Dec. 27   232
Dec. 31   207

STARTING GUARD TANDEM
Combined, the Brown (35) and Gibson (44) tandem have started 79 games over the last two-plus seasons. Gibson has started 60 games during a five-year career that has been marked by three knee injuries.

ALL-AROUND BROWN
In two tournament games, Tiffany Brown was an all-around contributor for the Terps. In two games, she averaged 11.0 points, 9.5 assists and 3.5 steals. She even contributed 2.5 rebounds, shot 6 of 10 from the floor, and 9 of 15 from the free throw line.

NATIONALLY-RANKED BROWN
In four games since her return, Brown has averaged 8.5 assists which would lead the ACC and rank third nationally, given she had played enough games to qualify.

1.  Dalma Ivanyi, Florida Int'l   Sr   9   94   10.4
2.  Erica Gomez, UCLA             Jr   8   74    9.3
    Tiffany Brown, Maryland       Jr   4   34    8.5
3.  Nikki Kremer, Xavier          Sr   8   66    8.3
4.  Lisa Witherspoon, Va. Tech    Sr   8   63    7.9
5.  Ashley Smith, Vanderbilt      So   7   54    7.7
6.  Brandi McCain, Florida        Fr  11   84    7.6
7.  Kara Wile, St. Louis          Jr   8   60    7.5

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               90
2. Carla Holmes,   1988-91                    75
3. Kelley Gibson,  1995-present               39
   Lillian Purvis, 1994-97                    39
5. Limor Mizrachi, 1991-92                    32

CAREER 3-POINT FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS          Atts.
1. Tiffany Brown,  1997-present              286
2. Carla Holmes,   1988-91                   199
3. Kelley Gibson,  1994-present              168
4. Lillian Purvis, 1994-97                   130

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. Tiffany Brown,   1997-present  90-286   .315
 9. Lillian Purvis,  1994-97       39-130   .300
12. Stephanie Cross, 1995-98        18-65   .277
13. Kelley Gibson,   1995-present  39-168   .232

CAREER ASSISTS                           Assists
 1. Debbie Lytle,     1980-83                583
 2. Tara Heiss,       1975-78                504
 3. Deanna Tate,      1986, 88-89            500
10. Karon Ferguson,   1992-95                294
11. Dafne Lee,        1989-92                251
12. Kelley Gibson,    1995-present           244
13. Katrina Colleton, 1990-93                243
14. Bonnie Rimkus,    1991-94                234
15. Myra Waters,      1979-82                220
--- Tiffany Brown,    1997-present           173

CAREER STEALS                             Steals
 1. Debbie Lytle,     1980-83                315
 2. Sonia Chase,      1995-98                309
12. Jessie Hicks,     1990-93                139
14. Kelley Gibson,    1995-present           125
    Carla Holmes,     1988-91                125

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. Belinda Pearman,  1981-84                 36
15. Kelley Gibson,    1995-present            35
    Debbie Jones,     1976-78                 35

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 five of its last seven games.

Turnovers
On the season, the Terps have collected 189 assists and recorded 305 turnovers (more than 1.6 turnovers per assist) in 12 games. That is in contrast to Maryland opponents' more respectable 203 to 213 ratio.

But despite continuing turnovers - and considering a season-low 13 turnovers vs. Wake Forest - the Terps have become more proficient with their offense. Maryland players distributed just 31 assists, barely 10 per game, through its first three games. The Terps have averaged 17.5 (158) assists in their last nine games.

Last Sunday's game with Duke was Maryland's first of the season with a positive assist (20) to turnover (18) ratio.

                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 3 games   106-231, .459    78-92 (1.0-1.2)

LINEUP SHUFFLE
With the return of Brown and Gibson , Maryland initiated its sixth, seventh and eighth different starting lineups. The Duke game marked just the third time this season that a lineup has been used in consecutive games. No starting lineup has been used in more than two games.

IN THE PAINT
Certainly a strength of the young Terrapin club has been its inside game with the play of Branka Bogunovic and newcomers Deedee Warley, Rosita Melbourne (Washington, D.C.) and Cara Ferris (Pensacola, Fla.) - all of whom average over 4.9 rebounds per game. Returning junior Antonieta Gabriel (Virginia Beach, Va.) averages 5.9 rebounds including a career-high 13 against Wake Forest.

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.

FROM THE STRIPE
Through its first eight games, Maryland shot just over 12 free throws per game, and made only 55 percent of those. Opponents have made 90 free throws compared to Maryland's 53.

In the Terps' last four games, however, Maryland has made 54 free throws including a 22 of 34 effort vs. Richmond.

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.

Different from the '85-86 team is this season's total dependence on those freshmen. Freshmen on the 1985-86 club totaled 46 starts through a 30-game season. So far after just 12 games this year, Maryland freshmen have registered 29 starting assignments.

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.

TERPS BY THE NUMBERS

1
Terp seniors that have played this season.

3
Only three classes of players under Chris Weller have failed to participate in at least one Sweet Sixteen appearance.

6
Six freshmen on the Maryland roster are the most since seven in 1985-86.

8
Terrapin starting lineups in 1998-99.

8
The Terps have captured an unprecedented eight ACC championships.

9
Teams on the 1998-99 Terrapin schedule that qualified for last year's NCAA Tournament.

12
Freshman March Strickland is the only Terrapin to start all 12 games this season.

13
Maryland's 13 turnovers against Wake Forest shattered the club's previous season-low of 21 vs. Western Michigan.

16.5
Scoring average by Terp freshman Deedee Warley in her last six games. She posted a career-high 23 points vs. Coppin State and followed with 19 against Richmond and Duke. Her previous top scoring outputs came in consecutive games - 18 at Penn State and 12 vs. Wake Forest - to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors on Dec. 14.

34
Assists by point guard Tiffany Brown in her first four games this season. She had a career-high 10 vs. Coppin State. Her previous career average was 2.7. She averaged 3.0 last season.

25.4
Chris Weller's young Terrapins, lacking experienced leadership and a true point guard through their first eight games, average 25.4 turnovers per game.

32
Points by Branka Bogunovic vs. WMU, ties the seventh-best effort in Terrapin history, and the most since 1990.

QUOTING COACH WELLER

On the Duke game: "We didn't have a very good game. Duke played very well and shot very well. I'm just disappointed in our defense. To let them have 90 points is not getting the job done. Duke is very good. I can see why they're ranked. I'm sure they're going to move up given their win over UCLA. They're very good. They were fired up. I'm not sure what fired them up, but they looked very good. I was a little disappointed in our reaction when they made their first run. I thought we gave them too much, and gave-in a little. When they got on a roll, we looked disappointed and frustrated. We have to learn to show more poise. They scored 48 points in the paint to our 14. That was something we talked about going into the game. We're going to have to do something about that."

On Deedee Warley in foul trouble: "That hurt us big time. We can't have her getting into foul trouble because we're just not deep enough to play much without her right now. Deedee's going to be a great player. But she's a freshman. She's going to get better by leaps and bounds. That's not a surprise to us. We knew when we signed her that we had signed one of the top players in the country."

On Duke's effectiveness on perimeter: "No, we weren't surprised by it at all. They're known for that. That's why you can't play them in a zone. If you do play them in a zone, you might as well 'pack up your bags.' They're very good shooters. That's why they're ranked."

On Tiffany Brown: "This wasn't one of Tiff's best games. She knows that. I'm sure she'll think about it, and she'll come back with a lot of fire."

What to draw from the Duke game: "It's the first ACC game with Kelley and Tiffany back. The freshmen can see how high the intensity level is. And it's going to stay that way. We just have be prepared not to make foolish mistakes. Foolish fouls hurt us early on. [Duke] was in the bonus, I think, with 11 minutes to go in the first half, and it dictated our substitution pattern. That was tough. I had to bring back people that I would not want to normally bring back into the game with two fouls. The foul situation really hurt."

Biggest difference with Kelley and Tiffany in the lineup: "Everything. The defense is better, we're attacking more offensively."

On a glimmer of hope: "I've had great hope all year long, and I'm not letting anybody take that away from me or my team because I know we're going to be very good. We've had some highly unusual circumstances. People got the advantage of some early gifts. [Having Kelley and Tiffany return] is huge, even just in practice. The whole level of practice can come up ten notches. Our freshman class is one of the top 20 freshmen classes in the country, however, our freshman class has been thrown to the wolves with no experience on the court and having to play without a point guard."