well you'd think that was as bad as they can play. but n.c. is probably more talented and bigger inside. gonna be a long season. but spring training starts in 3 weeks. talk about long season.

Can we fire Gary now? please!

That is about the time-40 minutes Gary has spent recruiting the last few yrs!!! It is not one game-you have been blown out by Gonzaga, Georgetown and Duke all top 25 teams. You beat Michigan State early in the season without their big man. They cannot compete against the top 25 teams with that talent-they lost by 40 points because of the talent difference-and will get crushed by Wake Forest and North Carolina also!
Morgan State, American and Hampton have beat MD-because they now have same talent!! Duke, UNC, VA Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College are the 6 teams going to dance this yr. MD -6-10 ACC if they play hard!!!

The program has been slumping for the last couple of years. I guess you have to hit rock bottom before you can rise to the level they achieved in 2000-2002. We will fall further and further behind programs like Duke and Georgetown unless we step up our recruiting efforts, especially locally. When you start signing players like Bobby Maze and Tyree Evans, who do not qualify to enter Maryland and have shady pasts, it shows a sense of desperation.

Well give it up to Gary. He owns the best victory in the Cole/Comcast era (Nat. Championship) and also the worst (Today).

Duke crushed us with hardly a foul and we hardly gave away any fouls.

The harsh reality is that this program is already facing complete rebuilding.

The longer it waits, the door remains open for another area school to join Gtown and move us further aside in the recruiting wars making any rebuilding even harder. The idea that we "were" elite is already done. The idea that GW can coach "his players" to success is done.

Vasquez had four points-shout at the crowd now bozo...its funny...real funny....

It's beyond me how Vasquez still occupies this untouchable place in GW's world. I don't care what stats he's racked up playing with this motley assortment of teammates - mostly against mid-major also-rans, he's dragging the team down.

Hayse is COMPLETELY in over his head. He just has no gear beyond first. Nothing seemto fire the guy up, and he displays no discernable special talents that I have ever seen. So what his recruitment such a big damn deal?

I see I have to type "f" in the box below... please let me stop with only the "f"....

Seriously, what is the more amazing accomplishment - taking a probation team to a NCAA title in less than 10 years - or turning a nat'l contender into this annual calamity? Gary loves to take the praise of all that they accomplished, so what does he say now?

FOr me - Patsos, Dickerson, and Hahn seem to have been a greater part of the program than Gary will ever indicate - cuz this is a joke now.

Does anyone know how those 3 players that got away/left Maryland are doing this year?

You guys are always so quick to blame Gary and lay blame. Gary busts his ass recruiting and anyone who suggests otherwise is just ignorant.

I heard an ignorant interview the other day with Jimmy Patsos, the head coach of Loyola Mens' Basketball team, and former assistant to Gary Williams.

Patsos spoke of how two top recruits were committed to coming to Maryland this past year- but the college would not grant them eligibility- and therefore they signed with other top D-I schools (Tennessee and somewhere else I think..)

Gary does his recruiting honestly and diligently- and his hands are apparently tied in some cases by his own institution. The best part about it is, HE DOESN'T CRY ABOUT IT! He does his job- and he makes the best of the team he DOES HAVE.

I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to work hard to get a top guy to commit- only to then have him denied admission. Surely just about every other top school is AT LEAST bending their academic requirements- IF NOT MORE- to entice the top athletes to choose their schools.

So to all of you whiners and cry babies declaring Williams should be fired- go somewhere else. It's unfair blame and you obviously don't know the whole story.

in fairness to Gary, this team would be a lot different w/ Gus Gilchrist. That said, the drop-off in the caliber of player wearing a MD uniform of late is shocking. Unless this kid from CT is a world-beater, we got some lean years ahead.

If you can't blame Gary, then whose fault is it? Forget the University "standards"... why is he recruiting guys who have served jail time for dealing drugs?

Seriously. If Greivis embarrasses you, how bad would it be to have drug dealers running the point?

Gary is NO longer the right coach for UMd. They need a change.

Hayes and Vasquez suck!!!!
Here are their shooting stats last six games: Terps lost 4 out of the 6 games.

Hayes: 1-7 Morgan State
6-16 Georgia Tech
2-4 Miami
3-11-FSU
4-9-VA
1-6 Duke

Vasquez: 5-21 Morgan State
5-18 Georgia Tech
6-14 Miami
4-10 FSU
2-13 VA
2-10 Duke

I knew the Terps would likely lose this game but I never ever thought that they'd get blown out by 41 POINTS!!!! I couldn't even watch the whole game, I turned it off in the 2nd half when the Terps were down 23-66!!! I'd never seen a blowout loss like this since I've followed them, they jut got completely manhandled by Duke. I'll grant Gary leniency this year because the expectations were down this year but if they're not back in the tourney next year it maybe time for UMD to part ways with Gary.

At some point, the guy at the top has to take responsibility -- and accept the consequences of that responsibility. For the many years that Gary built the team under tough circumstances to finally become national champs, he deserves much credit. But then to fall so far so fast since 2001 is inexcusable. When a team loses by 40 points even at Duke, or loses at home to Morgan State, the coach has to be held accountable. Whether its inadequate recruiting or bad decisions about recruits, or poor coaching during a game, or inadequate preparation for a game, or an inability to motivate his team, or whatever -- in the end, the buck stops at the coach. What happened at Duke is an embarrassment that this program will have to live with for many years. It's time that the coach recognizes that, for whatever the reason, he can no longer run an elite program and it's best for him to retire.

THIS JUST IN.....I can coach a team that loses to Duke by less than FORTY for a lot less than $2,000,000.00.

Where do I interview?

The WORST thing to happen to Maryland going forward from the natty was Gary surrounding himself with his FOG sycophants.

Water, like Gary's efforts on the recruiting trail, were bound to sink to it's lowest level.

GET THIS GUY OUT OF TOWN NOW!!

If Bisciotti wasn't such a Gary suck-up, maybe he would fund the payoff.

cjterps - this is a top of the roster to the bottom problem, even w/Gilchrist on the team we lose to Duke by 20+.

we have not recruited well since billy hahn left.

we didn't get here overnight, and two freshmen next year are not going to make the impact that many believe.

time for a change.

If UM doesn't want to admit certain players, why is Gary recruiting them in the first place? Why are Gary and school not on same page?

I love Gary - he's a Terp! But we keep moving backwards. His recruiting history is not that good. Ever since John Gilchrist left the team early after disagreeing with Gary in his junior year, we haven't produced a solid core of players, much less one. Greivis doesn't count - he hasn't won anything yet and he'll be gone by end of year for NBA or Europe just like Gilchrist.

Maybe we are better off cutting ties now and start rebuliding in 2010, rather than watch the Gary regime die slowly the next 5 years.

I'm glad the flagship institution of the state does not bend its academic requirements for basketball players and give in to Gary's recurring demand to create a general studies major so his players can cherry pick easy classes. After all, they are a institution of higher learning and not a basketball factory so they have their priorities in order. UMCP isn't Duke or Harvard but they have come a long way. They deserve a lot of credit for the increasing quality of their freshman classes and overall strategic plan. Which is why they exist in the first place.

South Florida gave Gilchrist's close personal friend a job with the program when UMCP wouldn't. And Evans obviously wasn't the type of person they wanted representing UMCP. Both seem like low character recruits and that falls on Gary. He also had 11 straight tournaments years, 2 final fours, and a championship under the same standards so I don't buy that argument one bit.

Maybe you can explain to me why he gave a scholarship to Goins so late in the recruiting window when the only time he seems fit to play him is when the team is down 40 pts. Or why one of his top recruits from last year, Dupree, sits behind 6'7 Neal on the depth chart. How bout Garrison? Fofana? Walker? Burney? Or head case guards like Gilchrist and Vaquez. All qualified.

I do find Gary's graduation rate and attention of the current academic standing of his players troubling That is a situation under his control and one where he can cost himself scholarships or wins. Watcthing Mccray, a star player, fail out his senior season year was a total embarassment. Long gone are the days of Tom Mcmillian and Len Elmore. Both were all time greats, graduated, and were very sucessful after UMCP. And that doesn't mean playing pro in Israel.

The story I am worried isn't UMCP academic standards but the quality of basketball on display today and going back title. This is one reason UMCP needs to make a change. Home losses to teams American, Ohio, and Morgan St. are becoming the norm. So is blowing 12, 17, and 20 pt. second half leads. Now a 41 pt. loss in Cameron. I appreciate what Gary has done in the past but I am not drinking the Kool Aid anymore. Maryland has a tradition of excellence which is being tarnished year after painful year. I guess I just have higher standards on and off the court for my alma mater.

Jeremy, Gary Williams has not done his job recruiting- you are smoking crack if you think otherwise. The results speak for themselves losing record in ACC-last few yrs-and 3 of the last 4yrs did not make the NCAA tourney and it will be 4 out of 5 with this yr. Those players that were not admitted for a reason-one had a criminial record-the other was a JC player with really poor grades and he recruited both players at the last minute because he lost out on the top tier players which has been happening for the last 4yrs. Talk to anyone who knows about recruiting and they will tell you Gary has done a poor job. There are talented players out there you just have to recruit the right ones. How come he could get recruits like Sean Mosley and Steve Goins in then-they both were marginal students and Maryland let them in. You do not know what you are talking about. Stop making excuses for Gary-the bottom line is he is not getting the job done There are plenty of schools like Notre Dame and Duke who get great players and have higher academic standards. Gary has been a great coach but I think he is pretty much done-Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech hit a road block also and retired-it is part of life.

Also, I am glad he did the right thing with Gus Gilchrist-and let him transfer because of his idiot friend that wanted a job if Gus played there. Gary is by the book I respect that there are still plenty of talented players you can recruit...He recruited well for many years just not the last 4yrs!!!

I heard the Patsos interview and if it is true that Gary has institutional restraints that have tied his hands in relation to recruiting then some of the blame belongs to MD.

Jeremy - if not Gary, who else is ultimately responsible? When has Gary every publicly accepted any responsibility for his poor job the past five plus years?

All we hear are the excuses - his blind loyalists blaming Debbie Yow for 'non-support', the University Admissions Office, the NCAA selection committee for not choosing wisely, and everything he avoids when recruiting (AAU coaches and 'handlers', two-and-done players) - no longer wash for me.

Maybe its time Gary realized and accepted the problem is begins with Gary.

Out there every year, there are other more successful NCAA coaches who are able to revive programs, and overcome all the recruiting obstacles everyone faces without risking their Universitys' reputation.

If Gary "is out there busting his ass" then its obvious he doesnt have what it takes to recruit any of the hundreds of quality players we need who can academically qualify to get in to Maryland. You make it sound like its tougher to get into Maryland than almost any school in the country and thats BS.

No one is "quick" to blame Gary - the recruiting problems arent new.

The only person responsible for the state of our basketball program is Gary Williams. Period. He's never been willing to adjust and adapt to how recruiting and the game have changed during his tenure. He's defensive and non-communitive outside of his inner circle of supporters. He's no longer getting the job done and hasnt been for several years.

At this point I'm not even sure if he deserves next year - his "pass" for the program's ressurction and winning a NC has expired. Not because of the results on the court but more so to me because of the obvious lack of effort on his part and his defiant attitude when it comes to doing a complete head coaching job.

For $2mil a year we deserve better and he should be held to a higher standard.

Coaching isnt only about teaching in practice and designing game strategies. I've always had a great deal of respect for GW and the job he did resurrecting our basketball program and leading us to a NC, but I no longer blindly buy what he's selling. If the Gary loyalists and excuse makers cant see the obvious lack of recruiting and how its damaged our basketball program the past 5+ years, then they never will.

We are now at a stage where we have to "play our best" to even compete with anyone on the schedule.

Our kids play in front of a half- filled no longer sold out Comcast Center filled with "fans" and students who boo their own team and players even when they're winning. Thats got to be a real 'selling tool' to recruits.

Please, if not Gary, then tell me who is responsible?

A pathetic performance that shows Maryland is no longer in the same league with Duke. I doubt we have any chance of going to the NCAA.

The only good part of the game, other the brief moment when we led on Neal's 3 pointer, was the fact that Willliams finally sat that bozo Vasquez, who is remarkable mainly for his all-around stupidity. He makes countless blunders in ball-handling. His court judgment is appalling. And, worse, he is a blow hard who embarrasses the school by his behavior and statements as well as his inept play. Give someone else some minutes. He could hardly be worse than Vasquez.

As to the piffle about Williams doing a great job of recruiting, but being flummoxed by high academic standards, I don't see it. He doesn't like stars in a sport where many of the top players who will end up in the NBA have identified since junior high. Pick some smart ones and sign them up. They get into Duke, North Carolina, Boston College, etc. The idea that Maryland is too tough academically to attract good talent is poppycock.

We need to go in a new direction.

Another comment to add. Through all of Maryland's great basketball teams in the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's, Duke has never really been our rival. Only in the past 7 years, have they given us decent games. In reality, UNC, UVA, and NCSt has given us more hatred during that 40 year timespand. To all of the Dukies who are loving this rout. "U are not our rivals." By the way, how good are your men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, football and soccer teams compared to us? "Bright but non athletic university" :(

Take a breath.

Yow is the problem. Maze is a starter at Tennessee, Evans is the leading scorer (and solid citizen) at Kent State, and Gilchrist is tearing it up at South Florida. Unfortunately, these kids didn't bring their bibles with them when they interviewed with Yow.

The woman who decides who can attend Maryland has a degree from Liberty U (Jerry Falwells school). She wants Gary to recruit guys in church. That dog won't hunt. I think Gary has had enough. He's a great coach who deserved better.

Jeremy you are right Gary does bust his tail recruiting. Problem is that's a trend that has only begun recently(due to pressure and frustration). I am close to some program insiders that will tell you Gary thought the banners would recruit for him. Parlay that with him breathing a sigh of relief for finally climbing the mountain and the turnover of talented, long term assistants, and here we are. Gary carries himself with a chip on his shoulder and it is making it difficult for him to play catch up on the recruiting trail. On the street the program has lost credibility and losses like the three against powerhouses this year obviously don't help. If the season goes farther south(a 4 win ACC season is very possible)it will come down to pressure to overhaul assistants for Gary to survive, but even the unthinkable could come to fruition. Names to consider for the future: Mike Brey-ND, Sean Miller-Xavier. One other note to the comment about academics. Plenty of universities adjust recruiting to academic standards. Mike Brey has done it at Notre Dame and fielded competitive teams with tougher standards than UM. Dino Gaudio and the late Skip Prosser have certainly done it at Wake. Buckle up fans I have a feeling this is only the beginning of a wild ride...

Jeremy,
Do you work for Gary? Thats the only way you could have your information so wrong.

The guys you are talking about did not get turned down by the institution. They are both on the record as stating that they were turned off by the lack of recruiting involvement Gary had in the process. They went to other schools because they felt they were not wanted by the Terps.

If your pathetic theory about Maryland not BENDING the rules AT LEAST (emphasis to mock yours) then why do we have such an embarrassing graduation rate?

I have heard before about how we are so restricted by the fact that we do it honestly and everyone else cheats but I was at Maryland during the years when we were on probation for not doing it right and that was the absolute low point. There is a way to recruit good players who get good grades and are a good team. Gary can't do it from the golf course or from Bischiotti's sny box at Ravens' games. I love Gary but its time to bring someone in who will rebuild the program.

Last point: Don't tell us Maryland fans to go somewhere else. We love the Terps and are expressing it through our opinions. You can debate us but you are no more loyal or rabid a fan than the people who think Gary should go.

A lot of fans are calling for Gary's head. In light of yesterday's drubbing, the gaping holes in this year's squad, and the program's lackluster performance over the past few years, that's understandable.

The argument that Gary has done a lot for the program -- including a National Championship -- has some legs. But the REAL reason that we should all be willing to give him a chance is that he has has landed two very solid front court recruits for next year: Jordan Williams and James Padgett. Together with guys like Cliff Tucker, Adrian Bowie, Landon Milbourne, and Sean Mosley, there truly is hope that Gary can turn the ship around.

Gary did an amazing job building the program up from ruins. And it wasn't a matter just getting lucky and having the pieces fall into place one year; remember, he took UM to 11 straight NCAA Tournaments.

That being said, it's amazing that he let the program turn around and deteriorate so. Likewise, it wasn't just one unlucky year, or one embarrassing blowout loss. The program is stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, and the head coach must be accountable.

But here's why we shouldn't run him out of town: he has two big-time front court recruits (Jordan Williams and James Padgett) coming in next year. Those two, together with the likes of Sean Mosley, Adrian Bowie, Cliff Tucker, and Landon Milbourne, can get the Terps back in the upper echelon of the ACC. It's hard to be patient, but there's good reason to believe things will look brighter in the near future.

The reality is that Jordan Williams and James Padgett will be freshman. Neither is taller than 6-8. Padgett weighs 217 lbs.

There are 7 ACC teams in the top 25 recruiting list for next year and Maryland isnt one of them.

We may be improving but UNC, Dook and others are improving with higher rated recruits.

I hope both the new bigs do help change things around for us but I also hope our fans temper any unrealistic expectations that they will magically propel us back in to the top 25. Our guards must improve their outside shooting percentage. (I'd start letting Mosley, JSK, Bowie, and Tucker start taking the outside shots instead of GV and EH...it cant be any worse than it is now - when those two are 'hot' fine, but when theyre not they need to feed the others)

Smitty, The recruits coming in are not top 75 recruits so they will help a little but not enough all the other programs have top 20 recruiting classes coming in along with strong roster already so we have not made up any ground.
UNC -4 players in top 50 coming in.
Duke-3 players top 30
Clemson-2 players top 75
Georgia Tech-number#1 player in the country coming in and 2 other players top 50
North Carolina State-2 players in top 75.
Maryland-Jordan Williams is ranked 99 by scout and James Padgett is not even in the top 100.

Maryland Recruiting class would rank right now near the the bottom of the ACC..

We need about half the roster to transfer and then recruit a few more players and hope they can contribute.

Smitty, The recruits coming in are not top 75 recruits so they will help a little but not enough all the other programs have top 20 recruiting classes coming in along with strong roster already so we have not made up any ground.
UNC -4 players in top 50 coming in.
Duke-3 players top 30
Clemson-2 players top 75
Georgia Tech-number#1 player in the country coming in and 2 other players top 50
North Carolina State-2 players in top 75.
Maryland-Jordan Williams is ranked 99 by scout and James Padgett is not even in the top 100.

Maryland Recruiting class would rank right now near the the bottom of the ACC..

We need about half the roster to transfer and then recruit a few more players and hope they can contribute.

MD fans must begin placing pressure on the institution to get rid of Yow. Wasn't this new arean her idea? Wasn't it to aid us in getting recruits? It has not worked and she needs to go. Get someone in here to light a fire under Gary and if it does not work, then Gary needs to walk away.

Fire Gary Fire Gary Fire Gary

He has lost it.

UNC brought in Roy Williams and immediately became a top tier program. We need to hire someone with crediibility who can rebuild the program quickly.

Sadly, nothing is going to change at UM. Both Gary and Ralph need to go, but they are too well dug in to be forced out. Won't happen until they (on their own) understand deep down how inadequate they've become year after year.