THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995 TAG: 9503250463
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: OAKLAND, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Coach Gary Williams was asked to look ahead to Maryland's next season shortly after this one ended Thursday night. He looked at it optimistically.
Perhaps too optimistically.
``I like our team next year, I really do,'' Williams said. ``Right now we have five starters back, and right now I don't think anyone else in our league does.''
Two years ago the Terrapins won two games in the ACC. This season, they tied for first in the league and advanced to the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season before being outmanned by Connecticut in a West Regional semifinal at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
The biggest reason for that turnaround now becomes the biggest question mark about next season. True, right now, the Terps have five starters back from a 26-8 team that was in the top 10 all season.
But one starter could be gone in a couple weeks, and it would be a huge loss. Sophomore All-American center Joe Smith of Norfolk has until May 13 to decide whether or not he will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the NBA draft.
Smith, still slightly dazed after the Terps' 99-89 loss to UConn, was asked about his future. ``I don't know right now . . . I really don't know,'' Smith said.
Now comes the hard part for Smith, Williams and Terp fans - the wait and the decision. What will Joe do? What is best for him?
``For Joe, it's a lifetime decision,'' Williams said. ``That's the unfortunate thing, he has to make a lifetime decision at 19 years old.
``I think physically, there's no doubt he should stay another year.''
Noted big man guru Pete Newell agrees. Newell, a former California coach and an NBA scout for three decades, runs a big man's camp in the summer that attracts the best post players in college and the pros.
The Oakland paper on Thursday asked Newell to assess the top talents in the West Regional. While Newell had praise for Smith's overall game, he said coming out early ``would be a mistake, absolutely.
``A lot of the things Joe does in college, he'll have a lot more trouble doing in the NBA. In the NBA, there's too many big guys who control the paint. With another year he'll get stronger. He's got good potential.''
But the earning potential of upwards of $50 million could be hard to pass up.
``There's a tremendous amount of money out there,'' Williams said. ``Without that tremendous amount of money, there's no question the best thing for Joe would be to stay in school.
``I'm going to tell him to do what I think is best. I've still got some people I need to talk to in the NBA to find out what the deal is. I'm going to try to get everything down on paper I can think of for him.''
Regardless, Williams has the highest regard for Smith, who recorded the 38th double-double of his two-year career Thursday with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Smith was the kingpin in a Terp turnaround from college basketball's abyss, brought on by scandals and NCAA probation. Williams spent four years wading through the mire he inherited when he returned to his alma mater in 1989.
``It's been so unique at Maryland for something good to happen, and Joe has been that good thing,'' Williams said.
If Joe goes, it won't necessarily be the end of good things at College Park. The Terps need only look at UConn for an example of that.
Last season the Huskies had a first-team All-American in junior forward Donyell Marshall, who decided to enter the NBA early.
UConn was picked to finish third in the Big East, but breezed to a regular-season title and spent some time atop the national polls. The Huskies play UCLA here today at 3:40 p.m. for a Final Four bid.
Even if Smith doesn't come back, starters Exree Hipp, Keith Booth, Duane Simpkins and Johnny Rhodes will - that's 70 percent of the Terps' ir scoring and rebounding.
Whichever way he goes, Smith seemed content with what he has done at Maryland to date.
``There's been a lot of focus on me this year and it's been a lot tougher than last year,'' Smith said. ``I feel I handled it well.'' ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
A dejected Joe Smith, left, is consoled by teammate Exree Hipp
during the closing moments of Maryland's loss Thursday.
by CNB