Sixteen games into the season, the Maryland men?s basketball team has come a long way since the season opener against Hampton.
The Terrapins are 14-2 and on a five-game winning streak as they head into the bulk of their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, which starts with Wednesday night?s home game against Miami (8-8).
Accomplishments abound for Maryland this season.
The team won the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic in mid-November and enjoyed a quality road win at Illinois. More importantly, freshmen guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes have been integrating themselves nicely into the team.
“Eric Hayes and Greivis Vasquez play very well together, and that is important for this year and the future.” Maryland coach Gary Williams said.
Either Hayes or Vasquez has started at point guard in all 16 games.
“Both those guys have been accepted very well by the older players, which is probably one of the most important things you do as a freshman ? blend and not be intimidated by the older guys and just blend into the team and use your skill,” Williams said.
The contrasting style displayed by each of the guards has helped with their assimilation.
“Eric is laid back and Greivis plays with a lot of emotion, and they are both effective,” Williams said.
“You have eight or nine guys who play most of the minutes, but they are all different and you still can have a very tight team.”
The team?s veterans have helped out when able to help get Vasquez and Hayes ready for the ACC season.
Senior guard Mike Jones thinks the youngsters are on the right track.
“Out of 10, I would give them a seven or an eight,” Jones said. “Everybody takes little mental lapses. It happens sometimes when you might not be making shots you should be making, but we are working hard as a team getting better as a team.”
Vasquez, a native of Venezuela, has just been trying to soak up every experience he can. He wants to get back out on the floor in an ACC game.
“I have learned a lot and this has been a great season for me as a freshman,” Vasquez said.
“I am looking forward to some competition from now on. I am not afraid. I?ve just got to play hard and talk, and we will see what happens.”
THE FRESHMEN
» Eric Hayes has started 11 games, while Greivis Vasquez has started the last five. They are both averaging more than 23 minutes a game, and both have 67 assists for the year.
» A native of Dumfries, Va., Hayes was 100-9 at Potomac High and finished his prep career with 1,698 points.
