Mike Jones is vital part of men’s basketball team; Chris McCray is team’s best player

I am writing in response to Doug Adams’ letter published Thursday in The Diamondback (“Mike Jones not the Terps’ best player; Chris McCray has been critical for team.”) Adams says he does not understand why many fans have a “love affair” with Jones and, in turn, do not recognize McCray as the Terrapins’ best player.

For the better part of this season, McCray has been coach Gary Williams’ best man. Ever since sophomore guard D.J. Strawberry’s injury, McCray has been the Terps’ defender while also adding a deadly shooting touch to his game. Besides these aspects of McCray’s game, it is obvious he is the emotional leader of this team.

I think it is almost ignorant for Adams to criticize those fans who are enamored with Jones’ play this year. Yes, for anyone to say Jones is the best player on the team would simply be illogical. But for Adams to say Jones hasn’t really done anything in his two years at the university is completely off base. Everyone knows Jones has a lethal outside shot, but Jones has also improved his rebounding, his arsenal of low-post moves and, most important, his defense. In fact, an argument could be made that Jones saved the Terps this year in two games (Temple and Duke) that could have gone the other way. And trust me, if the Terps hadn’t won those two games, there would be no bubble talk; it would be all NIT.

Yes, McCray is the best player on the team. But I hope Jones can use his recently increased minutes to show Adams and others he is also a vital part of the team.

David Abarbanel

Senior

Criminology and criminal justice

University victim advocate needs student support to make her position permanent

In response to Ben Block’s article (“Victim advocate still fighting for salary,” March 2), Block did a great job highlighting the struggle Nancy Hensler-McGinnis, the victim advocate, faces. The Jewish Social Action Committee held “Unity in the Community” March 3, a variety show we hoped would raise awareness (and funds!) for Hensler-McGinnis in a way that would also bring the university community together in support of the issue. More than 400 people showed up. With the help of many donors, we raised $5,661.50 in addition to the $800 already raised by the Help Center.

We hope people will continue to step forward and spread the word about Hensler-McGinnis’ plight. We need strong support from students to show the university administration how important she is to us so they can find a way to keep her position permanently.

Lisa Epstein

JSAC Secretary

Diamondback should have covered Arab, Jewish comedy show to showcase unity

Thursday night I attended “One Arab, One Jew, One Stage” at Stamp Student Union. This was a wonderfully successful program with about 500 attendees. Both performers received a warm response, and for at least one night, Jews and Muslims put their differences behind them and were united by laughter. Where was the article in The Diamondback about this? Why doesn’t the staff write anything positive? This was another missed opportunity to showcase unity and understanding.

Pauline Robinson

Staff Assistant

Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs