After losing two players he was counting on heavily for next season, Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams vowed last week that his Terps would be competitive next season and that he wasn't finished recruiting.
But where is Williams going to find players to replace Gus Gilchrist and Tyree Evans, who were released from their scholarship commitments?
Nowhere, according to national recruiting analysts.
"I don't see anyone on the horizon for this year," Bob Gibbons said from Lenoir, N.C., where he runs basketball camps, writes recruiting newsletters and organizes all-star games. "They've got to deal with the cards they were left and start again next year. ... It's over."
Tom Konchalski, a New York-based talent evaluator, said: "The only kids who are left are kids who haven't qualified [academically]. If you're looking for a player who is expected to be a contributor, you can't replace that. You might be able to find a kid who'll give you some depth."
A 6-foot-9 power forward from Temple Hills, Gilchrist was expected to provide inside scoring after seniors James Gist and Bambale Osby graduated. A 6-3 guard from Richmond, Va., Evans was expected to be Maryland's best outside shooter.
Gilchrist, who initially signed with Virginia Tech before winding up at Maryland for the start of the second semester last season, asked for his release last Tuesday after deciding he wanted to try to get his full eligibility reinstated by the NCAA. He would have had 2 1/2 years of eligibility left in College Park.
Evans, a 23-year-old who had bounced from a prep school in Massachusetts to two junior colleges, asked for his release nearly three weeks ago after stories surfaced about his run-ins with the law, three of which resulted in misdemeanor charges.
As a result, the Terps, who finished 19-15 last season and went to the National Invitation Tournament for the third time in four years, have nine scholarship players. A 10th, Sean Mosley (St. Frances), is still trying to qualify academically, according to an athletic department spokesman.
It has left Williams and his staff on a rather empty recruiting trail. Most schools are already receiving commitments for the 2009-10 season.
Konchalski said any player left at this point would not have been highly recruited.
Gibbons said a possibility for Maryland is to find a junior-college player in the mold of Osby, who came to College Park two years ago as a lightly regarded prospect, having played one season at New Mexico and another at Paris Junior College in Texas.
