And Hayes would leave why? The only reason I can think of is he finally realizes he's just not that good and needs to go play in a lesser conference.

I apologize, in advance, for the length of this post. Positional depth is a funny concept, particularly with a college basketball team. Personally, I don't understand all of the fuss about Hayes. It appears to me that while he has not, and probably will not, become the Terps' "next" Steve Blake (perhaps such comparisons were unfair to begin with), he is simply experiencing a slump which, in turn, may be affecting his confidence. Earlier this season when he injured his ankle and missed a few games, the team was seemingly left short in the backcourt and floundered. Upon his return to the line-up, Hayes sparked the team at Chapel Hill and everyone lauded his critical contribution to the team's chemistry. He is a valuable and essential cog in this year's (and should be in next year's) backcourt.

His present and the team's parallel struggles would appear to bear this point out. This year's team is neither deep nor talented enough to survive a prolonged slump from any critical component part like Hayes. Such struggles have, in turn, had a domino effect on the performance of others. The best scenario for him, and the team, would be for him to just snap out of his shooting funk (his apparent lack of confidence is reflected in his hesitation before shooting, in his shot selection and even, surprisingly, in his decision-making when passing). That would take pressure off of Vasquez, but more importantly, Gist and Osby by creating space on the block and opening up the inside passing lanes. Benching him would not likely improve his confidence.

With that said, it's impossible to ignore Bowie's recent emergence which should be rewarded with more court time. He came to Maryland with the reputation of being a quick, energetic and slashing finisher who was strong around the basket and a defensive stopper. Recently, he's shown, more consistently, these characteristics. Along with Tucker, this can only help the Terps' guard rotation and provide critical relief for the starters.

Beyond Hayes' slump, watching the Terps down the stretch, it appears the larger problem is that all of the minutes logged by the starters over the course of the season has finally caught up with them. Over the last 5 games, they collectively played "tired," obviously wilting as the games progressed. If they harbor any hope of making noise in the ACC tournament, et al., they will need positive minutes off of the bench, including along the front line from Walker and Burney (it seems that Dupree and Gregory are lost causes for this year.)

I wish them luck tonight and, hopefully, throughout the weekend and beyond.

Son, its time to move on

Is Sean Mosley the real deal? I've heard reports that this kid has Steve Francis type of skills. And if he is the real deal does he project out as a four-year player?

To comment on the post, I'm not sure replacing Hayes would accomplish anything except removing our only legitimate 3p threat from the lineup. Bowie has yet to prove he can hit consistently from the outside (remember when Cliff Tucker was 7-8 on 3ps early in the season? How did that turn out?) and as quick as he is defensively, his approach and fundamentals are lacking. He didn't exactly do much for us in the attempt to stop Singletary, so why would we assume he can against Rice? I might be ok with starting Bowie in place of Milbourne, who is usually subpar defensively despite having great raw tools.

On a related note, there is very little evidence that Hayes deserves to be the scapegoat that unfortunately most Maryland fans seem to want. He has struggled down the stretch, but much of this is because Hayes is a player who thrives when those around him do their part. When Osby is sluggish or gets into foul trouble and Gist refuses to play inside, Hayes looks bad because he loves to feed the post and is not the kind of guy who can make something of nothing. His shooting is pure and will come around with his confidence. He is underrated defensively because he often will (intentionally) lure his man into driving the lane, where Osby and Gist wait on the help, while Hayes defends against the kickout pass. His biggest problem defensively is not having the strength to fight through screens. Anyway, there is plenty of evidence (statistical and otherwise) that Hayes is a solid player (how ludicrous to suggest he needs to play in a lesser conference!) who has been forced to play out of position much of the season, but has still been a contributor. Not to mention he is still only a soph. and should improve the next 2 years.

I can't imagine Hayes would be looking to transfer out, esp. with the possibility of moving back to play more point next year. I think with the addition of Maze and Mosley, Hayes will thrive with decreased playing time (more like 25 mpg) and better complements around him. As long as we get some kind of contribution from our big men. If I could see anyone transferring out, it's Dupree (who was supposed to be our most highly touted freshman).

Dear Baltimore Sun,

Please remove any post that pretends to be a relative of any person written about in the article posted above. This kind of 'fan' (fanatic!) demonstrates a lack of class and a sence of entitlement, like a former New York Govenor.

I am not all that worried about whether or not he leaves, but he should be riding the pine.

That is interesting. But you'd think Gary's bad experience wouldn't inform this decision since, unlike Gary's situation as a player:

- he wouldn't be "benching" Hayes, just assigning him to a different role

- Hayes isn't a senior

Does he go one like this for two more years just because Hayes got here a year earlier? It doesn't make sense. Start the best guy...at this point there's nothing to lose. He might even be doing Hayes a favor by getting him into a role more suited to his skills

i hope he leaves. i think bowie can be alot better at somepoints. hayes can also be really careless with the ball sometimes. maze and mosley would take his spot.

Gist has fallen in love with his 3-point shot, and I see that as the main failing of the team of late. They don't try to get the ball inside.
Get the ball inside first, then good things happen. Bowie can do that.
Vasquez still makes too many turnovers so he needs to be put on notice that there is another point guard around. For every positive with G V there seems to be a negative.
Having a slasher who can pass back out would also help Hayes who needs to be standing still to shoot.

Where would Tucker fit in with the 3 guard lineup?

I would be fine with saying goodbye to Eric Hayes. What has he done? What would we miss?

You seldom see guys (like Hayes) leaving a team that has started them all season long. And the Terps were not much when hayes was out with the ankle for a few games.

Hayes will most likely stay. Of course, it will be harder for Hayes to get as many minutes next season, with Mosely and Maze coming into the program.

But Hayes and Bowie should both develop further next year.

I can't see Dino Gregory staying. Who else will leave?

The only line-up change that will help the Terps is if they put Juan Dixon in at the two with Stevie back running the show, maybe throw in Wilcox and LB in the post then something might happen!!! Let's go Terps!!! 1st round bust in the ACC here we come!!!!! My magic 8 ball tells me that they are going to have a home court loss in the NIT in the first round as well!!!

i think gary must get vasquez under
control...while i like his passion i don't
like his style of play..too many turnovers, if he is the point guard he
must set the tempo for the team...he
is a wild uncontrolled missile...he must use his head...instead of his
emotions..for maryland to be successful

Mosely will be the two guard, if he plays a lick of defense and Gary makes an exception to his play-the-veterans-first policy. He's a better shooter already than Hayes or Vasquez. Hayes and Vasquez have topped out already, from a skill standpoint. Neither of them are quick or athletic enough, or have the ball handling skills to handle a first-rate press or stop a really quick, penetrating guard. Bowie would be better at the point because he can put the ball on the floor and get by people into the middle, and he's a good finisher, unlike Vasquez who gets caught off the ground and has to make a lot of off balance heaves at the basket or bloop desperation passes that get picked off. Vasquez could play small forward, against a small lineup, or play some time at the two. He's a good passer in the open court, but sucks at running the half court offense. He's no natural point guard, but unfortunately, there aren't any Steve Blakes on the team that aren't always conflicted about whether to score or pass first. Until they all have clearcut roles established, the offense will never run smoothly. You'll have games with 22 assists and 11 turnovers followed by games with 11 assists and 22 turnovers.

It was apparent tonight that Eric Hayes has already left. Almost every time he had an open shot he turned the ball over. He is not even in the same league. It amazed me that Gary kept him on the floor when it seemed obvious that his heart was not in the game; but then none of the Terps really seemed to want to be there tonight. And they have nothing coming back. Gary's recruiters have all taken head coaching jobs and he is hurting to say the least. Someone better light a fire under a couple of these young kids or we'll be the door mat next year.

It's official now. Three NIT's in four years. I've come to the conclusion that Gary needs to go....I hope that the rest of the UMD administation realizes the same.

The graduation rate is pathetic. The basketball results are pathetic. There's a common denominator that needs to be addressed.

I think a lot of the problem in watching the game tonight, yet another loss, is that Maryland does not play smart. That is the only reason that you can go through stretches where the score is 17-3 and so forth. Not playing smart encompasses a number of key areas. Turnover and offensive rebounds being the two primary categories. This is the second or third game in a row where the Terps have shot better than fifty percent but allowed their opponent to outscore them in the second half. Also Osby only five points, Gist not taking a shot the final eight minutes of the first half. This suggests that GV needs better court IQ, if you look at his numbers this year they nearly equal Chris Paul's in his great ACC season, clearly the guy has the physical tools.

The problem with GV at the point and the 2 simultaneously is that it disrupts the high low flex offense. Rarely is GV able to come off baseline screens and flex to the elbow since he is handling the ball outside. Also note the extremely frequent top side big man screens. I would say if Gary Williams accepts the likely NIT bid we should try the following of using Bowie, Hayes, and Vasquez alongside Osby and Gist. Milbourne can then bring his ten points off the bench and provide instant spark. Vasquez is then allowed to play the 2/3 position and run much more efficiently through the flex progressions required. This does however risk decreasing our offensive rebounding capacity.I am not sure why we are weak on the offensive glass since I believe entering tonight we were second in the ACC in defensive rebounds.

One final point would be that lets stop blaming Gary Williams, yes there are better coaches out there especially as far as adapting to the players available. But he is a great coach, check out the ACC standings for the last ten years. Two teams have more ACC wins Duke and UNC I would say even with our struggles lately thats pretty impressive.