The Maryland Terrapins will begin defense of their Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship tomorrow against Clemson at MCI Center possibly without one of their top frontcourt players.
Freshman forward James Gist, who had a career-high 18 points in the Terps' 86-76 loss at Virginia Tech on Saturday, bruised his left knee while diving for a loose ball in practice on Monday and his status is day-to-day.
"The team doctor characterized the injury as a bone bruise and indicated that there was no ligament damage," said Terps coach Gary Williams. "We will evaluate his progress over the next two days and determine whether he will be able to play in the ACC tournament."
Gist, who played at Good Counsel in Wheaton, is averaging 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds and has played in all 27 of the Terps' games. But the 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward is coming off his best two-game stretch of the season.
He had eight points, seven rebounds and one steal in the Terps' 85-83 loss to No. 2 North Carolina on Feb. 27, followed by the 18-point effort vs. the Hokies. Gist made his second career start against Virginia Tech, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 6-for-6 from the foul line.
After the game, Williams said of Gist's performance: "For a freshman to play like that, it's good to see. That helps me a little bit [to] get through this thing."
Losers of its last three regular-season games, Maryland, the ninth seed in the ACC tournament, likely needs to beat Clemson tomorrow for the first time in three meetings to keep its hopes of a 12th straight NCAA tournament bid alive.
If Gist doesn't play, that gives Williams one less option in defending Clemson senior center Sharrod Ford, who has had his way with the Terps this season. In two games, Ford has 49 points, 20 rebounds and 11 blocks against Maryland. Will Bowers, Ekene Ibekwe and Travis Garrison will all likely take their turn guarding Ford.
In filling Gist's minutes, Williams also has the option of pushing junior Nik Caner-Medley (6-8, 241 pounds) from small forward to power forward and playing three guards.
Next for Maryland
Matchup: Maryland (16-11, 7-9) vs. Clemson (15-14, 5-11) in Atlantic Coast Conference tournament first round
Site: MCI Center, Washington
When: Tomorrow, noon
TV/Radio: Ch. 54/WBAL (1090 AM)
