THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150458
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
When 6-foot-10 Joe Smith walked across the Maryland campus a year ago, other students gawked and asked the silly question, ``Do you play basketball?''
Of course he does.
That is something everyone knows by now.
Smith, a former Maury High standout, had one of the most fabulous freshmen seasons in the history of the storied ACC last season.
He led the Terps in scoring (19.4) and rebounding (10.7), was only the fifth freshman in league history to average in double figures and the third freshmen to earn first-team All-ACC honors.
He was the national Freshman of the Year, as well as in the league.
Does Joe Smith play basketball?
He's not getting that question these days, but since exploding on the scene last year he's heard hundreds of other questions.
The most frequently-asked question these days concerns his future - when will he make the jump to the NBA?
Smith says he had a short talk with his mom on the subject in the summer, put it in the back of his mind, and will review his situation at the end of the season.
``My thoughts now are entirely on helping the team win the ACC championship and do well in the NCAA playoffs,'' Smith says.
As lofty as those goals are, Smith and the Terps have their share of believers.
The Terps were picked by the ACC media to challenge North Carolina for the league title and one national publication had them No. 3 in the country, behind Arkansas and Massachusetts, in its preseason rankings.
``I was shocked at first to be ranked so high,'' says Smith, ``but it depends on how much we want it and how hard we work.''
Smith, realizing he is going to be the focus of opposing defenses, stayed in shape during the summer by playing in the Norfolk Summer League and lifting weights.
``I knew I had to get stronger if other teams were going to double-team me,'' Smith says.
It's a cinch other teams are going to double up on Smith, too.
Because of that, Maryland coach Gary Williams says it will be more difficult for Smith to score this year.
``He caught people off guard last year because they didn't know who he was, or that he could score like he did,'' Williams said.
``A lot of Joe's success this season will be determined by the team. Obviously Joe doesn't have to prove he can play, but we have to prove that we can still score when he gets double teamed.''
Maryland's return to the NCAA playoffs and their victory over Massachusetts last year left Terp fans counting the days until this season.
All of Maryland's home games are sold out.
``It is a big turn-around from two years ago when we only won two league games and no one wanted to talk to any of our players,'' Williams said. ``You really had to be here then to appreciate what is going on now.''
Williams says he doesn't know how many more seasons he will have Smith.
``You are seeing a lot more guys leave after their sophomore years, and if there are millions of dollars out there it is tough to say what is in a young man's best interest,'' Williams said.
``You just have to coach and go play and not think about it. Realistically, it looks like (Joe) could go after his junior year, but I don't know.''
Williams said the uncertainty is not a problem or distraction.
``It is just the way things are now,'' Williams said. ``It doesn't make Joe a bad person if he chooses to go at the end of the year. He's been great for the program.'' [list of ACC colleges, location, Coach, schedues.] For copy of list, see microfilm. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL AIKEN/
Maryland's Joe Smith and Virginia's Junior Burrough are both
expected to lead their teams into the ACC's first division.
by CNB