For Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne, last Sunday’s loss to Michigan State had to be doubly heartbreaking. When you come so close to making it to the Sweet 16, only to have it snatched away by a last second shot; and to have that game be the last you will ever play in a Maryland uniform is a tough way to end a college career. Yet the three of them shouldn’t dwell on that loss for long; the good that these three were a part of far outweighs the tough losses they had to endure. Sure, they weren’t as decorated as the likes of Juan Dixon, Steve Blake or Lonny Baxter, but perhaps they can and should be remembered as players who helped to raise the program back from the low of the post championship years. These three certainly will be looked upon more favorably than recent seniors Nik Caner-Medley, and Travis Garrison, and the “thought he was actually better than he was” John Gilchrist.
Any review of this year’s seniors has to start with Vasquez. Was he maddening at times? Sure he was. Was he sometimes too emotional, too flashy for his (and the team’s) own good? Yes. But throughout what would become a great senior season, he showed more heart, more toughness and more guts than a lot of better known and more highly regarded players. Sure he would take the occasional crazy shot, but when the game was on the line, he wanted the ball and was willing to take the big shots. One need only look at the last game to see that. In the last two minutes, Vasquez scored 10 points, with every shot bringing the Terps closer or getting the lead. The numbers say that Greivis has had one of the great careers of all time; though it can be debated if he even is in the top 5 or 10 of players who have ever played at Maryland. As the only player to amass over 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds, he certainly should be among the greats to ever have worn the Terrapin uniform.
Eric Hayes came in with hype labeling him “the next Steve Blake.” While that may or may not have been what he became, there was plenty of growth in Hayes over the course of four years. It took him a while to get acclimated to the ACC grind, but by the time he became a senior, he had found his niche, and was a perfect complement to Vasquez. His personality was not one that had to be in the spotlight, but he was the steady counterbalance to Vasquez’s emotional outbursts. Opponents knew that they had to keep an eye on Hayes on the perimeter, or he would make them pay from behind the three point line. My lasting memory of Hayes comes from the ACC tournament last season, when it seemed he finally discovered he could be an important part of the offense. It was as if a light turned on and he believed he could score points and make plays on offense. That discovery carried over into his senior season.
Landon Milbourne had the misfortune of spending his time at Maryland when there often wasn’t a big man that could share the responsibility of banging down low with the big bodies in the conference. Yet he battled them night after night, often as his offense suffered. Milbourne had the ability to make shots out to 15 feet, but was often expected to play down in the paint. He had good shot-blocking ability though, and used that as a weapon under the basket. The arrival of Jordan Williams help ease some of the load in his senior season, but there he was still trying his best even though the Terps were often outmanned on the glass.
Throughout their careers at Maryland, these three had to hear how they were lesser recruits for the school; how their coach couldn’t get the best talent and how their struggles were magnified as being part of the downfall of Terrapin basketball. Yet, Gary Williams managed to get the best out of all three of them; a Williams trademark is that he often gets the most out of the talent he has. These three all had their moments to shine as Terrapins, and while they are leaving, each of them left their mark on Maryland basketball. Terrapin fans are hoping that the coming years see further progress for the Terrapins basketball team.
The three seniors definitely had nice careers and represented their university well. Greivis was definitely a top 10 Terp and should hav ehis name in the rafters. I believe he is the only player in the ACC to amass the 2000, 700, 600 combo. And Hayes shot an amazing 53% from the field in ACC play this year. He really improved each year. Can't say enough about how Landon fought night in and night out.
Wait, wait, wait…
I want to talk Big East basketball and specifically Syracuse. Where's my buddy JP? He was convinced last week that the 'Cuse was finding their stride.
THE most overrated conference in basketball this year ladies and gents…the Big East!
BTW – I still have WV in the finals…somehow they've hung on!
If they are overrated they are still better than the ACC. Your just bitter because your used to being the best conference and since this is a down year your gonna run your mouth.
Big East is better? Why because prognosticators had more of their fluffed teams ranked in the Top 20? That's why this tournament is great, it weeds out the "wannabes". I called this Big East demise when the brackets were announced and even predicted that WV would be the last one standing from the conference. On the first day of the tournament, half of the Big East teams went home, so how are they so highly touted? Also, think about what you said Farm Boy, why would I run my mouth in a season when MY conference was down?!?! Maybe they do that in Idaho, where you're from, but us east coast guys only talk smack when it's warranted. Where's BIG D to back me up?!?
By last count, on the court where it matters, the Big East has one team left and the ACC has one team left.
Big Ten has three teams still in the dance but you don't hear me running my mouth about the Big East conference. I only get into the mix when some chucklhead like you starts things.
Tiny Bubbles is watching Bobby Flay cooking some Southwestern dish on his show. After its over, he'll chime int.
Ah Yes, the Big 10…Can't take away from their accomplishments on the court this year, that's for sure.
But, what Iowa moron allows them to continue to be called the Big 10 when they have 11 teams?!?
Big D – help me out…I had your back earlier, where are you now?
I agree with Pole that the Big East is a better conference than the ACC. My reason is the head to head match-up during the season. I am by no means a fan of the big east and feel they have been proven overrated, but I still would take the talent in that conference over the ACC in the last 2 years.
Where's Bruz?
Everyone together now: "OVER RATED…OVER RATED….OVER RAAAATED"
JP is oddly quiet too. Sent some sarcastic note last week about how "Syracuse didn't look too good" in their dismantling of some soon forgotten lacky, but I told him not to count on them…He's hoping I forget…
I thought you were the one who predicted their demise last round?
Maybe I misinterpreted you (Lord knows Mark and I are misunderstanding each other's posts) but I have been beating up the Big East since the seedings were drawn. I thought they were overrated and they have traditionally ruined my brackets with their lackluster play. Here was the transcript from last week after I busted on the Big East teams that lost on the first weekend (6 of the 8, mind you):
Special Teams Guru · 5 days ago
…and Syracuse, before someone points that out, but I consider them to be the next card to fall in the Big East house of cards.
Reply JeffPilson 50p · 4 days ago
Yeah the 'Cuse appear to be struggling to find their game right now.
Reply
Special Teams Guru · 4 days ago
JP,
I hear ya, but I wouldn't bet your mortgage on the Orange.
I thought you were busting on me because I made the comment Saturday morning and they cruised on Saturday afternoon.
In a moment of weakness and loyalty to a friend, I got lucky and picked WV and they haven't let me down…YET!
Two and a half points…One…Garyland did not "have it snatched away by a last second shot" — they lost their chance at the Sweet 16 by the first 35 minutes of lack-luster play last Sunday afternoon…Two…Saw tonite that Tom Izzo is 6 – 2 in Regional Semi-Final games (like the one he's Coaching in now)…That's pretty impressive since he's only been at MSU since 1995, and in contrast to Garyland, who's won "this game" just twice in 30+ years in the business…Two-point-five…I don't even know whether to root for a Duke win or loss…Them winning it all keeps the Sears Trophy in the ACC, where it belongs…Then losing is always fun for a native Marylander…Baylor beating Duke helps me edge closer to winning cash and prizes…Good night!
Bruz,
Yes, the first thirty-five minutes of play were lackluster. But if the scoreboard was correct, Michigan State had to make a shot to win the game. Fact of the matter is, if the Spartans miss the shot, we'd all have been talking about Garyland in the Sweet 16. So yes, it was snatched away by a last second shot. Of course, if it hadn't been for the five minutes of great play, the Terps aren't in a position to win the game in the first place.