By Jesse Jones
Maryland Terrapins star Greivis Vasquez is an NBA hopeful. He has the size, 6′ 6″, and the talent to play, but his athleticism has been questioned.
Monday, Vasquez worked out with the Washington Wizards with future owner Ted Leonsis and Gilbert Arenas in attendance. Although it might be a stretch for the team to draft the Maryland favorite, as they will likely take John Wall and keep Arenas, it is nice to see the star working out with the local team.
By Jesse Jones
April 1st was a big day for the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball program in two ways.
The Bob Cousy award, given to the nation’s best point guard, was awarded yesterday. The winner? Who else but Greivis Vasquez. The senior guard plays with the highest level of intensity and spirit, and this year limited his poor decisions while increasing his great decisions to lead the Terps to a record of 24-9, a share of the ACC regular season title and a win in the NCAA tournament. In his senior year, Vasquez averaged 19.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. Vasquez ranks second on Maryland’s all-time lists in points (2,171) and assists (772). He is also the only player in ACC history to record at least 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds in his career. Vasquez also stayed in the top 10 nationally for most assists per game the whole season. This year was great for Vasquez as he came back an extra year in order to improve his game for the pros, and do great things for Maryland.
Maryland Terrapin senior Eric Hayes participated in last night’s college basketball three-point challenge last night. In each of the three rounds, Hayes had the highest score. In the final round, Cornell’s Randy Wittman shot first and got a score of 15. Hayes followed, and with the last money ball to go, had a score of 15. With the final shot, Hayes swished it and gave him the 17-15 win.
Congrats Greivis and Eric.
By Ben Linton
An amazing season for Maryland Terrapins Basketball was rewarded recently when Greivis Vasquez was named player of the year in the ACC and Gary Williams was named Coach of the year. Freshman Jordan Williams was second in the voting for rookie of the year, which went to Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech.
Vasquez was the first Terp to snag MVP honors since Juan Dixon did in 2002, when the Terps won the National Championship. Vasquez played brilliantly down the stretch, averaging 19.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in his senior season at College Park. He exploded for a career high 41 points against Virginia Tech and Malcolm Delaney, who finished third in MVP voting. Then Vasquez scored 20 and triumphantly led Maryland to a victory against rival Duke and Jon Scheyer, who finished second in the voting. Greivis has come a long way in his years at Maryland- I remember last year against Georgia Tech when he got into it with his own fans in a game and has at times single-handedly lost games for the Terps. But I really believe that he has benefited from one more season in college and was rewarded for doing so and adored by Maryland fans, coaches and players alike.
Gary Williams won ACC Head Coach of the Year since 2002, coincidence right? I hope so. Williams led the Terps to a 23-7 record and a 13-3 conference record, sharing the ACC Title. A lot of fuss was made last year about Gary’s job security when he was criticized for his lack of recruiting skills, internal problems with AD Debbie Yow, and inability to motivate his players on the court. Although I thought that last season was Williams’ best coaching job of his career due to the level of talent he had to work with, this is still very satisfying. It feels good to silence your doubters, and Gary did just that. The most winningest coach in Maryland history will be able to decide on his own when he decides to leave College Park, because no one is knocking down the door for a replacement any time soon.
Hopefully this is just a beginning to an already remarkable season and turnaround for Maryland Basketball.
By Ben Linton
Tomorrow night in College Park will be special for many reasons. First and foremost, the #23 Maryland Terrapins (21-7, 11-3 ACC) will be taking on rival Duke (25-4, 12-2 ACC) for first place in the ACC, the first time the Terps have done so since 2002. Not only is this an important game for standings and rankings, it will also be the last home game for three Maryland seniors: Landon Milbourne, Eric Hayes, and Greivis Vasquez. This post is dedicated in tribute to these remarkable athletes and all they have accomplished and given us to cheer for these past four years.
The 2010 Maryland Senior class has been to two NCAA Tournaments, registered 86 total wins (39 in the ACC), and totaled nine wins over Top 25 ranked teams, including one against the number one team in the nation.
Landon Milbourne
Milbourne has been the unsung hero of this Maryland team for the past two seasons. Last year, Milbourne made a huge sacrifice by playing out of his comfort zone by playing the power forward position, where he was less taller and outweighed by whomever he guarded almost every single night. This sacrifice paid huge dividends for the Terps on their way to an NCAA tournament berth last year. This season, Milbourne is Maryland’s second leading scorer with 13 points per game, and is the third leading rebounder with five boards per contest. Milbourne is a freakish athlete known for his thunderous dunks and has an excellent mid range shot. His career high is 24 points against New Hampshire. He will be missed.
Eric Hayes
Hayes has been one of Maryland’s most consistent players these past years, and the best three point shooter on the team. Hayes is the perfect compliment to Greivis Vasquez, due to his calm and poised nature. He averages 10.9 PPG this season, and is an excellent free throw shooter (85.7%) and three-point shooter (45%). Hayes’ ability the drive to the basket has always been underrated, he can penetrate into the lane and create shots. He is also an excellent passer that sees the floor very well. His best game as a Terp came last season against NC State, where he scored a career high 21 points. Best of luck to Eric tomorrow as he plays his last game at home.
Greivis Vasquez
Hate him or love him, Greivis Vasquez has carried Maryland Basketball on his shoulders these past two seasons. As an energetic freshman to an erratic sophomore to a poised and confident senior, Vasquez has certainly had his ups and downs in College Park. This season has been one to remember for Vasquez, as he is in the running for ACC MVP with a 19.5 point, 4.8 rebound, and 6.4 assist average. His assist to turnover ratio is 2 to 1, the perfect stat for a point guard. What stands out most about this guy is his emotional presence. Maryland goes as Greivis goes, and it almost seems that he can pump his team up with one play, one shot, or one pass to change everything around. Vasquez is coming off of a career high game of 41 points last Saturday in a win at Virginia Tech, but hands down his best game as a Terp was last year against North Carolina. Vasquez put the Terps on his shoulders, and single-handedly beat the number three team in the nation, scoring 35 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. To put it in perspective, Vasquez is the best player to put on a Maryland uniform since Juan Dixon. Best of luck to him as he finishes his Maryland career and progresses through the NBA.
By Jesse Jones
Last night the Maryland Terrapins’ Men’s Basketball Team opened up the ACC season with a 77-68 win over #19 Florida State. The game was played in College Park behind a loud home crowd.
Greivis Vasquez scored 22 points (17 pts after halftime) and Eric Hayes added 17. Vasquez came up clutch with about two minutes left when he hit a three after the Seminoles cut the lead to six points (72-66). Hayes was on fire the whole night, as he went 5-6 from three.
To some surprise, the Terps outrebounded Florida State, the taller of the two, 40-34. They also went 10-16 from three, and altogether shot 47% from the field.
The Terps (10-4) play at Wake Forest (12-3) tomorrow night.
This pretty much sums up Vasquez's play in the first 8 games of the season
By Ben Linton
If you have been following Maryland Terrapins Basketball for the past 2 or 3 years, you should be familiar with the name Greivis Vasquez. You should also know that through many ups and downs, Maryland goes as Vasquez goes. He has lead the team to many big wins, but also some shocking defeats.
So Maryland stands at 5-3 early into this season, with disappointing losses to three possible resume boosters in Cincinnati, Villanova, and Wisconsin. Their star Vasquez has struggled, shooting 32% from the field and 28% from three with 30 turnovers. Right now Vasquez is not playing like the senior leader he should be. Quite frankly he is the 4th best player right now behind Milbourne, Hayes, and Mosely. But as mentioned earlier, Maryland goes as Vasquez goes, and right now things are headed in the wrong direction.
So when the Terps take on Eastern Kentucky this afternoon, don’t be surprised if you see #21 not in the starting line up. Now the Terps will have Dino Gregory back from suspension and at their disposal, and could possibly go with a Hayes, Mosely, Milbourne, Gregory, Williams line up. Don’t be shocked if Gary tries to send a message to his star player to pick it up.
Hopefully this is just a slump that Greivis can shake off, because the ship needs to be righted soon and get back on track.
By Ben Linton
The Maryland Men’s Basketball Team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 71-42 win last night at the Comcast Center against the Fairfield Stags. The Number 25 Terps started off slow, only scoring 30 points and holding onto an eight point lead in the first half. But they heated up in the second half, outscoring Fairfield 41-20. Maryland had a very balanced scoring attack, led by Eric Hayes with 14, followed by Sean Mosely with 13 and Landon Milbourne with 10.
I guess what we learned from this game is that when Greivis Vasquez struggles (7 pts, 3-11 shooting) Maryland has some trouble putting up points. But they do have a few guys like Milbourne, Mosely, and Hayes who can carry the load when this happens. Just give him some time and Greivis should be back to normal. Maryland faces New Hampshire at home on Friday, another game I will be attending before setting off for Hawaii and the Maui Inviational.
By Jesse Jones
Maryland Terrapins Senior point guard Greivis Vasquez has been nominated for the John Wooden Award, college basketball’s player of the year. It pretty much explains itself. Greivis has been clutch for the Terps and the team revolves around him. He is clearly one of the best guards in the ACC, and now he is getting national recognition.
One of his best games in his three year career happened last season against the North Carolina Tar Heels. After getting blown out in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels came to College Park to try to sweep the Terps. However, Vasquez did not let that happen as he put up a triple-double (35 pts, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), the first triple-double for the Terps since 1987.
Watch out for Vasquez this season, as well as the Maryland Terrapins in general.
