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Williams' denies blame for Terps' recruiting woes

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10:30 AM ET 01.27 | COLLEGE PARK - Each bad Maryland loss these days elicits tortured fan analysis of what went wrong, who is at fault and how it can be remedied. After Saturday's mortifying 41-point defeat at Duke, the questions raised in blogs and message boards were more pointed than usual, and the criticism was more venomous. What in the world, fans wailed, has happened to the Terps? In its seventh season since winning the national championship, Maryland is a victim of high expectations and recent recruiting difficulties, according to interviews with experts familiar with the program. Turnover among assistant coaches has made recruiting even more challenging. The recruiting problems are evident in this season's freshman class. After losing leading rebounders and double-digit scorers James Gist and Bambale Osby to graduation, the Terps were unable to replace them effectively. Maryland's lack of size was evident in the Duke game, in which the Terps surrendered 21 offensive rebounds and 12 blocked shots in the 85-44 defeat - the worst since head coach Gary Williams arrived in 1989-90. Williams has often suggested this season - and others - that fans tend to overreact to individual games. He acknowledges that the Terps are undersized but suggests that the gap on this season's team is not his fault.

The Baltimore Sun

Gary Williams, AP Gary Williams, AP
January 27, 2009  11:11 AM ET

"He acknowledges that the Terps are undersized but suggests that the gap on this season's team is not his fault."

Who's fault would it then be?

January 27, 2009  12:01 PM ET

Talk to Yow. She was the one who nixed Gilchrist.

January 27, 2009  12:07 PM ET

Clearly there is no one to blame except the coach who has basically done a terrible job in recruiting.

There is NO REASON Md can not recruit top flight talent

Time for the AD to consider a change

January 27, 2009  12:32 PM ET

Isn't this the coach who has a zero graduation rate? I think he is overrated and this shows that he is not a leader. He can delegate authority but not responsiblity. needs to be exposed for what he is and fired.

January 27, 2009  02:01 PM ET

No matter how badly Gary wants to deflect the blame, there is no denying that he does a poor job recruiting. The past two national players of the year, Durrant and Beasley, were both from Maryland's backyard. Heck, even going back to Carmello Anthony. Every day you hear about players from Baltimore, DC, and the Norfolk VA area committing to other schools. It is unreasonable to suggest that UMD should land all recruits from the nearby metro areas, but to not walk away with at least a one top recruit in the past several years it ludicrous. The program has been on a steady decline since the National Championship and something has to change in the near future.

January 27, 2009  02:13 PM ET

I went to a high school game several years ago when Oak Hill Academy played Montrose Christian Academy from Rockville. All of the starters for Oak Hill where from Maryland, which included Nolan Smith (Duke). Michael Beasley,and Ty Lawson. Landon Milbourne came off the bench. Montrose had Kevin Durant, Grevious Vasquez and Adrian Bowie amongst others. Although Gary landed two of those players he needs to get focused on recruiting. Maryland needs to have a close relationship with every AAU coach in Prince George's County as well as the Catholicl league teams. Gary didn't forget to coach, he forgot to recruit.

January 27, 2009  02:56 PM ET

gary is best with a chip on his shoulder. now that everybody thinks he stinks, he'll probably start winning again.

January 27, 2009  08:45 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

Isn't this the coach who has a zero graduation rate? I think he is overrated and this shows that he is not a leader. He can delegate authority but not responsiblity. needs to be exposed for what he is and fired.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Felt it for years, easily the most overrated coach in men's hoops.

January 27, 2009  11:30 PM ET

He's no coach K or Knight for that matter. Both of these guys know the game and the game of life much better the Gary.

 
January 28, 2009  04:48 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

He's no coach K or Knight for that matter. Both of these guys know the game and the game of life much better the Gary.

Wow............. he's not as good as the two best coaches in NCAA hoops? Thanks for the insight.

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