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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Maryland coach Gary Williams wanted to drive home his point, so he stripped his players of their identities.
The name tags above their lockers? Gone.
The framed action photos of each player? Goodbye.
Their Nike practice jerseys? No more.
“I think the coaches were trying to send a message to us that you have to earn what you get here,” sophomore guard Eric Hayes said. “We get a lot of stuff here. We’re very fortunate to get the stuff we have, and I think we kind of overlooked that and they took some stuff away from us to take us back down.”
And for good reason. Before defeating Delaware, 76-46, on Friday, the Terrapins had lost three straight games at home, including shocking defeats to Ohio and American. Between the loss to American and the win over Delaware, Williams did some redecorating, which included replacing the team’s practice jerseys with Dry-Fit undershirts.
“That’s what happens when you’re not earning what you’re here for,” senior forward James Gist said. “A lot of guys on this team, including myself, we haven’t earned the right so far this season to wear that Maryland jersey.”
Gist, who scored 18 points with 10 rebounds against the Blue Hens, is considered the veteran leader - the player whose tenure dates closest to when the team won the NCAA title in 2002.
“To play at the University of Maryland, an elite D-I school in an elite conference in the ACC, is a big opportunity and it’s a privilege,” Gist said. “Its something you have to earn. It takes a lot of hard work and for guys to come in and feel they don’t have to work hard, but they’re going to wear the Maryland name and live the celebrity status, it can’t be like that.”
Friday’s win stopped a three-game skid, but the Terrapins agreed they had not done enough to win back their locker room luxuries. The Terrapins (7-6) have three home games remaining —beginning Wednesday night at 8 against Savannah State (7-11) —before resuming Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech (8-5) on Jan. 12.
“All those banners up there - [former players] worked hard and took pride in doing it. These last two losses we had, we weren’t taking pride in the way Maryland is supposed to play,” senior Bambale Osby said. “As soon as the effort picks back up, I think [Coach Williams will] redecorate the locker room.”
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:33 AM MST on Sat., Aug. 23, 2008 re: "Milbourne coming out of his shell"
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9:04 AM MST on Tue., Jun. 17, 2008
re: "Terps value golden opportunity"
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11:07 AM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008
re: "University of Maryland Terps unfazed by Commodores’ arsenal"
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9:49 AM MST on Wed., Mar. 12, 2008
re: "Terps need to make a run in ACC tourney"
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8:41 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 4, 2008
re: "Colossal collapse for Maryland"
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3:05 AM MST on Tue., Mar. 4, 2008
re: "A colossal collapse"
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12:42 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 28, 2008
re: "Morgan claws closer to MEAC championship"
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7:02 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008
re: "Is too much good bad for ACC?"
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5:34 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008
re: "Terps collapse against Duke"
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3:03 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 15, 2008
re: "Terps hope to exorcize Demon Deacons"
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5:41 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 31, 2007
re: "Terps ready for Frese’s absence"
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8:31 AM MST on Sat., Oct. 20, 2007
re: "Terps gain international experience"
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12:06 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 21, 2007
re: "Booth solidifies link between Baltimore, College Park"
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Milbourne Improving said:
Milbourne should be one of the team captains this year. He is a proud Terp and if Coach Williams gives him the green light this year he will prove it.
2 agree | 1 disagree
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WR #80 said:
marrisa coleman is a very very good basketball player i love to watch her play because she is all around a good player
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Go 'Dores!
11 agree | 8 disagree
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GAB said:
And where are you going to get a recruiter who is better than Gary Williams? It's difficult to recruit a top-flight team when you must compete with Duke and North Carolina in your league and with Georgetown and George Mason in your area. Furthermore, what really is wrong with the NIT? Maybe it's the level of play his knucleheads deserve to play at. That's better than sitting on your butt in March, isn't it, especially if they can win the NIT? -- People have been spoiled. Many younger fans can't remember what it was like between Lefty Drizzel and Gary Williams, when the team was lucky to have nine wins a year and once couldn't even play in the ACC tournament because of an NCAA probation. Williams brought the team up to a higher level. Who could we get to bring it higher? Please name names or shut up about it.
9 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
a great coach? right. he is a HORRIBLE recruiter. its time that gary leaves. just like billick, we had 2 good years under him and he cant even get this team into the tourney half the time. look forward to next year.. gist. gone. osby. gone. where is the muscle going to come from? no where. there is no one on this team who can play forward or center in the ACC. they are in big trouble! and as good as vasquez seems, he throws the ball around like its a hot potato. way too many turnovers to be a leader. it's sad that 5 years removed from being the national champs, they are always on the bubble. good luck in the NIT coach.
41 agree | 47 disagree
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avid reader said:
Sad story for such a great coach. His players need to understand their roles in this system and team.
40 agree | 37 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Morgan, Loyola, UMBC and Navy are in first place in their conferences. Let's hear some support for the local schools and wish them success in March.
43 agree | 32 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Your photo caption says "Ron Paulus" ... I guess we now know your political leanings, but I'm sure GREG Paulus would appreciate a correct atribution.
69 agree | 61 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
maryland basketball is terrible
83 agree | 69 disagree
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avid reader said:
Go TERPS !!!!
88 agree | 96 disagree
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Al Hondo Handy said:
Good Luck Coach Frese. I think your team will do a great job respresenting Maryland Basketball, the State of Maryland and Ocean City, Maryland, where I am from. I will be there in the stands cheering your team on. Go Terps!
223 agree | 133 disagree
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Al Hondo Handy said:
The Terps have a really good, young team. Experience will play a big role this year. Overall I see the Terps being in the thick of things in the ACC.
154 agree | 141 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is great for the UM program to get Baltimore players to stay home. Let's make UM like Alabama and LSU and other ntional powerhouses.
177 agree | 151 disagree
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