Maryland forward Ekene Ibekwe sounds like an old man. The Terrapins spend their final 15 games against the ACC and the senior could only ponder his final go-around starting Wednesday against Miami.
Play with intensity, Ibekwe tells the underclassmen. Don’t take possessions off. Don’t worry about the crowd.
“But go out there and have fun,” he said.
Oh, if the Terps could only do that. After finishing 7-9 and 8-8 the last two years in the ACC, respectively, which largely caused the end of their 11-year NCAA Tournament run, the Terps (14-2, 0-1 ACC) hope a youth movement blends well with three seniors and one junior starter.
Freshman guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes combine for 13.9 points and 8.4 assists while providing that youthful passion following two seasons when the Terps seemed emotionless.
With rabid road crowds and intense pressure, mixing the Terps experience and youth is essential to surviving close games. Fortunately, a rebuilding Miami (8-8, 1-1) at Comcast Center is a good way to enter the constant pressure-cookers.
“I can’t go out there and play timid in the ACC,” Hayes said. “That’s not going to get it done. I’ve played in big [high school] games, but nothing like this.”
The ACC features the nation’s best basketball regardless of whose fuzzy math creates the RPIs. Maryland coach Gary Williams finally has a complete squad entering league play after losing D.J.Strawberry to a knee injury in 2005 and Chris McCray to academic ineligibility in 2006.
“You never know what to expect,” Williams said. “You want to go in healthy and no surprises.”
Maryland was essentially 2-2 during the “preseason.” Winning at Illinois, 72-66, and taking Michigan State, 62-60, for the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic title at Madison Square Garden were standout efforts. But losing to Notre Dame, 81-74, at Verizon Center and 73-62 at Boston College in the ACC opener exposed the Terps’ weaknesses.
Ibekwe is really the key player even more than leading scorer Strawberry, fellow big man James Gist or sharpshooter Mike Jones. Nights like Ibekwe’s 22 points and 14 rebounds against St. John’s make the Terps a national contender. But games like eight points, four rebounds versus Michigan State keep the Terps vulnerable.
“When [Ibekwe’s] active, he’s very good,” Williams said. “There’s very few who block shots like he does.”
Ibekwe smiles when remembering his three previous seasons. The next two months will largely determine whether he spends next fall in the NBA or overseas, but will also decide whether the Terps return to national status. Ibekwe just knows Maryland is ready for the ACC.
“We’ve done a good job in the preseason,” he said. “Now it starts.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
