The games count next Tuesday.
The Maryland men?s basketball team tips off next week at the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic against Hampton at the Comcast Center.
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With the early start to the season, Terps coach Gary Williams has been emphasizing strong team defense. In particular, Williams is looking for his veteran forwards to lead theway.
“Me and Ekene [Ibekwe] are really trying to bring it together and get that defensive intensity in the paint,” junior James Gist said.
Both forwards have taken it upon themselves to become leaders this season, but for Ibekwe, a senior, it is his last chance. Williams has seen marked improvement in Ibekwe?s strength and play this preseason. The coach attributes much of that to Ibekwe?s experience over the summer playing for the Nigerian national team in the FIBA World Championships.
“He saw the great players and how hard they worked,” Williams said. “[Ibekwe] is trying to combine his power game with his jump shot. He did play against [Dallas Mavericks star Dirk] Nowitzki and saw how he can find ways to score. That is what we want Ekene to do.”
Ibekwe, who averaged 11.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a game last year, is moving to the basket with more strength and confidence now, but the most obvious difference in his game is at the foul line. No longer does the 6-foot-9 forward cock the ball far behind his head before a shot. Instead, he is opting for the traditional mechanics.
“It looks better,” Williams said. “I give him credit: He has made a conscious effort to be a better free-throw shooter. If he came back and was shooting from [behind the head], I would be very disappointed.”
For Ibekwe, the change in free-throw style and finding new ways to score from the floor have all been part of a plan to improve his game.
“I am trying to be more versatile and play the game to my advantage,” Ibekwe said. “I see myself as a go-to low-post player, and that is something I have got to do for my team ? score inside and, at the same time, play my game and take advantage outside if you can.”
Ibekwe stressed that his defense is growing stronger with every day of work.
“We need to defend the post and get good position in front, as well as the perimeter,” Ibekwe said. “Like I said, things are getting better day by day.”
Low-down on down low
» In the Terps? final open scrimmage Saturday, Ekene Ibekwe only scored 13 points, but he grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots.
» From the foul line, Ibekwe was 91 for 146 in 2005-06 for a percentage of .623, but his career free-throw percentage coming into this season is .577.
» Ibekwe cracked the top 20 in rebounding during the FIBA World Championships this summer, with 6.7 rebounds per game.
