The Terrapin men’s basketball team ended its 2007-08 season by losing six of its final eight games, missing the NCAA Tournament, and getting bounced in the second round of the NIT.
Who expected that the Terps’ ensuing offseason would be even worse?
Tuesday afternoon, another devastating episode was added to the already tumultuous series of events, as 6-foot-9 forward Gus Gilchrist announced that he will transfer from this university before ever playing a game in the red and white.
Gilchrist backed out a week and a half after junior-college transfer Tyree Evans withdrew from his letter of intent and just over a month after freshman Shane Walker transferred. Additionally, last September, prized recruit forward Terrence Jennings backed out of a commitment to play with the Terps, and point guard Bobby Maze, who committed to the Terps last December, has since gone to Tennessee.
Gilchrist (high school class of 2007) originally signed with Virginia Tech, but backed away from the Hokies prior to his freshman year, citing the infamous shootings on the Blacksburg campus.
He enrolled at this university last January, but due to NCAA and ACC rules – since Gilchrist transferred within the conference – he would not have been eligible to play for the Terps until the last day of Fall 2008 exams. He would only have two-and-a-half years of eligibility remaining. Gilchrist appealed the ruling twice, and was shot down both times, eventually leading to yesterday’s decision.
“Gus has asked for a release to explore other options, which may allow him to play more games at another university outside the ACC, pending an NCAA waiver,” coach Gary Williams said.
“I would like to thank Coach Williams and the basketball staff at Maryland for all of their support and attempts in appealing this process,” Gilchrist said. “I wish them the best in the future.”
If Gilchrist transfers to a school outside the ACC, he hopes to regain all four years of eligibility. After post players Bambale Osby and James Gist graduated and Walker transferred, the Terps were in serious need of a talented, big man like Gilchrist.
The front court will be occupied by junior Dave Neal and freshmen Braxton Dupree, Jerome Burney and Dino Gregory, four players who all scored fewer than three points per game last season. The Terps currently have nine players on scholarship, so Williams will likely seek for more inside depth before the recruiting season ends.
The Terps also could have used a deadeye shooter like Evans, the Motlow State Community College guard whose nearly month-long transfer saga only whet the appetite of Terps fans before ending the same way as the Gilchrist era.
Evans signed with this university in April despite legal troubles. Evans was charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and statutory rape charge. Both charges were dismissed; however, Evans pleaded guilty to misdemeanor marijuana and assault and battery charges. Evans spent two weeks of a 12-month sentence in prison last summer for the marijuana charge and was released on good behavior.
Athletics Director Debbie Yow said she was initially unaware that Maryland was recruiting Evans and of his drug charges. Yow later announced that Evans’ enrollment was under review by the Office of Student Conduct.
Before a verdict was reached, Evans was already gone.
The Terps planned on having former Oklahoma Sooner and Hutchinson Community College guard Maze aboard next season. But the Terps discontinued their pursuit of Maze in favor of Evans, and Maze eventually became a Tennessee Volunteer.
The situation could get worse for the Terps if incoming freshman Sean Mosley is not admitted to this university. As of last month, Mosley still needed to accrue a higher score on his SAT exam to be eligible. No announcement has been made regarding Mosley’s performance on the test or his future with the Terps.
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