COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) – Say this about Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams: The guy knows how to make an entrance.
The Terrapins informally launched a new season Friday night at Maryland Madness, an annual extravaganza designed to introduce the team to its fans. Six new players made their debut at Comcast Center, but the focus was on Williams, now in his 22nd season at his alma mater.
After the players were introduced, Williams was depicted on the video board flying a fighter jet.
The focus then shifted to the court. Williams walked through the tunnel of the arena amid smoke and the sound of guitars. He was dressed as a pilot, wore sunglasses and carried a helmet.
Then, of course, he pumped his fist to the crowd.
Thus began a new era of Maryland basketball.
Seniors Greivis Vasquez, Landon Milbourne and Eric Hayes are gone from a squad that last season finished tied atop the Atlantic Coast Conference and advanced to the NCAA tournament for a second straight season.
“This is an exciting time of year for me,” Williams told the crowd. “We’re going to have a great team, so just be with us.”
Maryland Madness began as Midnight Madness back when Lefty Driesell was head coach back in the 1970s.
“We’ve got to keep the tradition going,” Williams said afterward. “This is like a thank you to the fans for what they did the last 22 years for me. For the players, it’s a great chance to enjoy themselves. This is a good night for them.”
The team’s success will depend partly on the leadership of seniors Dino Gregory, Adrian Bowie and Cliff Tucker. The six newcomers – including five freshmen – must also contribute.
On this night, however, it was all about having a good time.
“It’s more fun than usual for the fans because we have so many new guys and they get to meet them for the first time,” Gregory said. “I know the fans are going to excited about that, and so will the new guys.”
Although Vasquez was gone, his No. 21 was not. His jersey number was inherited by freshman guard Pe’Shon Howard, who got permission from Vasquez to wear it.
Asked how it felt to wear No. 21, Howard replied, “He’s such a great player and left on such a high note, I want to try to keep that going. But Greivis is Greivis, and it’s hard to compete with that. I want to leave my own legacy – get it done that way.”
One of the traditions that still stands is player introductions, followed by a dunk under the spotlight. With everyone watching, the last thing a player wants to do is clang one off the rim.
“That’s the worst. I remember Mike Jones, when he missed his three or four years ago,” Bowie said. “You miss the dunk and you never, ever hear the end of it.”
Sadly, Bowie was the only player to miss. While everyone else went conservative, he tried to bounce the ball off the backboard and couldn’t jam it home.
Another tradition: the alumni game. This one featured Juan Dixon and Byron Mouton, members of the 2002 national championship team.
Years down the road, Bowie might take part of the alumni scrimmage. But he had a feeling of finality before taking the court.
“Knowing it’s my last one, I’m very excited,” Bowie said. “At the same time, knowing it’s my last one, I’m kind of dreading it.”
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