I guess you have heard by now that Gus Gilchrist will not play basketball for the University of Maryland…ever.
Gilchrist was granted his transfer release by Maryland this afternoon and will look to continue--actually begin--his college career elsewhere.
Today’s news is just the latest blow to Gary Williams and his beleaguered program as Gilchrist was expected to be an instant impact player in the post. Gilchrist would have been eligible on December 22nd and would have stepped right into the starting lineup.
Earlier today, Kurt O’Neill of Press Box came on the program and reported that Gilchrist would not play this year due to the fact that he had lost his appeal to the ACC that would have made him eligible for the ‘08-’09 season. Kurt then speculated that Gilchrist would--probably--never play for the Terps.
Well, this report had me reeling and Maryland fans in meltdown mode.
It turns out that Kurt--or his source--was half-right.
Keith Cavanaugh of The Terrapin Times joined us later to say that there was no second appeal to the ACC that was denied. Gilchrist appealed to the league after his transfer and that is when the ruling came down that he would be eligible in December of ‘08 and would be classified as a sophomore.
However, during the interview, Keith did break the news that Gilchrist was meeting with Gary Williams to decide what his future--if any--with the program would be.
The more Keith spoke, the more he mentioned Gilchrist’s “advisors” and “his camp”. I used to host an internet recruiting show about a decade ago and I’ve spoken to more than a few “advisors” over the years. Let’s just say that sometimes “advisors” aren’t always giving the best advice…but I digress.
Anyway, I started to get a bad feeling during the conversation with Keith and those bad feelings were confirmed later in the afternoon
What does today’s decision mean for Gilchrist? Not to sound harsh, but I don’t care. Here is a young man on his way to his third school and he has yet to play a minute of college basketball. All I can do is wish him luck.
As for Maryland, as we said earlier, this is another punch in the stomach to a program that was on top of the college hoops world only six years ago.
Joey Cameron, a 6’8 forward, visits Maryland tomorrow. Cameron is a JUCO player who had stops at Auburn, Seton Hall, the French Foreign Legion , the Cubs etc…
So how was your day?
BH