Maryland coach Gary Williams wanted to drive home his point, so he stripped his players of their identities.
The name tags above their lockers? Gone.
The framed action photos of each player? Goodbye.
Their Nike practice jerseys? No more.
“I think the coaches were trying to send a message to us that you have to earn what you get here,” sophomore guard Eric Hayes said. “We get a lot of stuff here. We?re very fortunate to get the stuff we have, and I think we kind of overlooked that and they took some stuff away from us to take us back down.”
And for good reason. Before defeating Delaware, 76-46, on Friday, the Terrapins had lost three straight games at home, including shocking defeats to Ohio and American. Between the loss to American and the win over Delaware, Williams did some redecorating, which included replacing the team?s practice jerseys with Dry-Fit undershirts.
“That?s what happens when you?re not earning what you?re here for,” senior forward James Gist said. “A lot of guys on this team, including myself, we haven?t earned the right so far this season to wear that Maryland jersey.”
Gist, who scored 18 points with 10 rebounds against the Blue Hens, is considered the veteran leader – the player whose tenure dates closest to when the team won the NCAA title in 2002.
“To play at the University of Maryland, an elite D-I school in an elite conference in the ACC, is a big opportunity and it?s a privilege,” Gist said. “Its something you have to earn. It takes a lot of hard work andfor guys to come in and feel they don?t have to work hard, but they?re going to wear the Maryland name and live the celebrity status, it can?t be like that.”
Friday?s win stopped a three-game skid, but the Terrapins agreed they had not done enough to win back their locker room luxuries. The Terrapins (7-6) have three home games remaining ?beginning Wednesday night at 8 against Savannah State (7-11) ?before resuming Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech (8-5) on Jan. 12.
“All those banners up there – [former players] worked hard and took pride in doing it. These last two losses we had, we weren?t taking pride in the way Maryland is supposed to play,” senior Bambale Osby said. “As soon as the effort picks back up, I think [Coach Williams will] redecorate the locker room.”
