THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 9, 1996 TAG: 9601090322
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COLLEGE PARK, MD. LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
The worst blizzard to hit this area in more than a decade was just getting started Saturday night, but Duane Simpkins had another form of precipitation in mind when describing the struggles of the Maryland basketball team this season.
``When it rains it pours,'' Simpkins said. ``One hard hit after another.''
Maryland, picked in the preseason to win the ACC this year, finds itself in an early hole. The Terrapins' 88-86 loss to North Carolina Saturday night left them 6-5 overall, 0-2 in the ACC.
``I didn't think we'd struggle like this,'' senior Mario Lucas said. ``This is our last year, and we need to leave everything we've got on the court.''
With four starters back from a year ago, Maryland has the most experienced team in the conference. The Terps have advanced to the NCAA's ``Sweet 16'' two years in a row.
``We're one of the most veteran teams in the country,'' forward Keith Booth said before the season. ``We've got the experience of going up against some great teams in the last two seasons and that gives us an advantage.''
Instead, the Terps have been taken advantage of - particularly on defense, where they miss the presence of the only starter not returning from last year: NBA No. 1 pick Joe Smith.
Heading into the North Carolina game, Maryland was next-to-last in the conference in field goal percentage defense, at 43 percent. The Tar Heels shot 57 percent Saturday night.
Smith's departure has left a hole in the middle of Maryland's defense, and teams have taken advantage. North Carolina freshman Antawn Jamison was the latest to exploit the Terps inside, scoring 31 points Saturday, on 14 of 16 shooting.
``We're letting people drive on us,'' Lucas said. ``When the big men move over, they dish off.
``We need to be more active inside. We've got to be fronting the post. We've got to make people scared of us.''
Maryland's inside players have not inspired much fear thus far. Lucas, a 6-8 forward, is primarily known as an outside shooter. Center Rodney Elliot is a slender 6-8, while bulky (6-9, 250) freshman Obinna Ekezie has been foul-prone.
After the North Carolina game, Simpkins said the Terp big men need to toughen up.
``That's heart and determination,'' Simpkins said. ``My man scores twice in a row, he's not going to get the next shot completely open, (at least) without me hitting him a couple times.''
Smith has been missed greatly on the offensive end as well. The Terrapins are also next-to-last in the conference in field goal percentage. Booth, a 6-6 forward, and 6-8 wing Exree Hipp have yet to find their touch. Both are shooting well under 40 percent.
Simpkins, the point guard, has been unhappy with the team's shot selection. Down the stretch against North Carolina, the team relied mostly on jump shots.
``There are certain guys you want taking the shots down the stretch and certain guys you don't necessarily want,'' Simpkins said.
``It's frustrating. We want to play well. We want to be regarded as one of the better teams in the country. In order to do that, you've got to win.''
But Booth and coach Gary Williams said they were encouraged by the way the Terrapins came back on No. 16 North Carolina. Maryland trailed by 11 points early in the second half but rallied to force overtime.
``The effort was there,'' Booth said. ``If we can come out and give the effort we gave over the last 35 minutes (Saturday) for 40 minutes, we're going to win a lot of games this year.''
``We played a lot better than our first league game (a 98-84 loss to Georgia Tech),'' Williams said. ``I'd rather lose a game like this than one where we should have won by 30 points, but played sloppy instead.
``We are going to be a good team.'' ILLUSTRATION: THE BALTIMORE SUN
Mario Lucas of Maryland, left, duels Howard's Phil Chenier inside.
So far the Terps' inside players have not inspired much fear.
``We're letting people drive on us,'' Lucas said. ``We need to be
more active inside. We've got to make people scared of us.''
by CNB