I think it's pretty short-sighted to end the recruitment before knowing exactly what is going on. Yes, there is plenty to be wary about but Stephenson is still a great talent and I think Maryland should give him the benefit of the doubt if he wants to come here. He's basically guaranteed to be a one-and-done, so what's the hurt in bringing him on for scoring help (which we desperately need) and then sending him off to the NBA and bringing in that strong class in 2010? I think he can help this team and I also think that he has gotten a dose of reality and realizes that he needs to shut up and play and impress. I'd like to see how this plays out.

I agree with the decision to stop recruiting Stephenson. While I definitely feel that Maryland has not done a good job with recruiting the last several years, I do not think it would benefit the program to go out and get a guy that would assuredly come with increased oversight by the NCAA, potential difficulty in fitting into Gary's system, and offers, at best, a one year opportunity. Gary Williams has been critical of schools pursuing these one-and-done players and Michael Beasley-like situations where a coach has to be hired to ensure the recruit's attendance, and I applaud him for that stance. To date, the recruiting effort for 2010 has been excellent, and I would much rather see the team filled with quality, 4-year-type guys (even at the expense of having to wait a year for those top-tier recruits) than to take a shortcut via Stephenson that, in the long run, is just as likely to hinder the program as it is help.

Maybe he hasn't been recruited in the last 3 weeks because their is nothing to recruit. I have a theory that his offer is contingent on the court case, that being said there would be nothing to say to Lance in the mean while. GW doesn't want the same flak he took over Evans. Why else would Lance take this long to decide and also not be visiting other schools in the mean time. Convicted = Europe... Innocent= Terp.

I disagree -- I think we should take the calculated risk here. Assuming Jordan Williams can be a post presence (which looks very possible from reports on Rivals.com), I think we have a chance to win the ACC with the 1-2 punch of Vasquez and Stephenson dominating from the outside. Outside of Vasquez, we don't have any stars, just solid role players. Our offense will sputter again without a second legit scoring threat.

This guy is trouble waiting to happen; a prima donna with a stage father. Gary has an OK class this year and a good one next year. We don't need to burn a scholarship on someone who might derail the program's direction or bail after one year.

I don't think the pending court case is the issue...at least not in my eyes. The issue is the web site and the kids father. Both are going to be headaches, the web site could bring sanctions. Remember, MD is not USC or Alabama. When we do something wrong, we get the sledgehammer to the wrists, not the slap.

Jim,

I think your point is a good one. I think Stephenson's father wore on Gary and his son is his meal ticket. The website was the final nail in the coffin. For some people to say we should take a calculated on risk on L.S. is asinine. Do you not remember how miserable it was when we were on sanctions? Would you say to your daughter, I know he is a rapist but he is such a handsome fellow? Let's move on from this clown and be thankful that Gary ended up doing the right thing.

Glad to have Greivis back and he is going to be a great recruiter for our program. What other player since Wojo has been as passionate about his coach? When we look back and UMD turns the recruiting piece around Greivis' name will be in that conversation. The player that was once dispised will have his jersey hanging from the rafters and will be loved at CP.

Smith, now is your time to come in and be a local hero a UMD! Irving and Harris, I think you want to be a Terp! Parker, c'mon baby since that letter!

Correct decision, 100%. Grea talent but appears to be a me-first, chemistry killer.
If he really wanted to play for the Terps, why hasn't he committed already, esp. after Kansas stopped its recruitment?
Bottom line, he's never planned on coming to MD, and if he did, it would be an awful decision.

I am rooting for BR to be a Terp and wish him luck!

I am not sure what is going on w/ recruiting Lance. Terps should bring him in with the 3 seniors and make a run at it this year. If Lance wants to be a Terp and says yes, Terps would be foolish not to give this elite talent a chance with Grevis, Hayes, Millborne plus C- Padgett/ Williams.

John A

Matt, I think you know from my past postings that I've been behind Gary Williams all the way in his pursuit of Stephenson, assuming that Coach knew much more than any of the naysayers who were against recruiting Born Ready,

Now, this astounding news.

Astounding because...

* Gary went particularly hard after this very talented player after having been ridiculed in the press for not being able to recruit.

* Gary continued to go after Lance when most "experts" had written off UM of having any chance of getting him.

* The bizzare timing defied all logic--After months of being considered at best an afterthought, the Terps began to emerge at as the frontrunner at more or less the same time that the College Park brain trust decided Stephenson was no longer in their plans.

While we've heard nothing official from Gary confirming the decision, I'm confident that Jeff Barker isn't going to invent such a story. However, I still wonder this is as ironclad as his blog makes it out to be, given the level of interest.

If it is completely accurate, then I'm 100% behind the decision, because there is no way Gary Williams would stop the pursuit of this player unless he knows something about him that could bring dishonor to the program and the university. There had to be an overwhelmingly compelling reason, a big time deal breaker, a red flag the size of Comcast Center, before he would take such a drastic step.

This aspect of Gary's has always been the same, and which makes him so respected. His integrity probably the one thing out of many that I admire most about him. I just wish his critics would admit they're wrong about him and give him the credit he's due, because he has raised Maryland basketball out of the ashes and is deserving of our praise, not our condemnation.

Take one look at bornready.tv and tell me you still want this kid. In one clip he almost takes a swing at another kid on the court when he knew cameras were running. Whoever thought that site was a good idea is a fool.

Matt, The only other reason I can think that the Terps lost interest is that they first were told privately that Lance no longer had them on his radar, but going through the news media seems to be his standard operating procedure for this.

I'm much more inclined, though, to believe that there was a red flag issue big enough to cause them to back off.

BTW, is there any way you or Jeff could get a direct quote from someone on this or is are they not permitted to speak openly about it yet?

Ken -- You definitely make some great points about the whole situation. I can't say for sure why the Terps backed off, but Barker's definitely on the money with this. You won't see a direct quote on the situation (per NCAA rules).

The closest you'll see to a direct quote from the Terps came from Gary Williams on WNST this week. He said they are done with the 2009 recruiting class. Hopefully, that can finally end the discussion on this prospect.

John, Thanks for noting the Gary Williams' quote. You're right, that closes the book on this one.