"He ended up having a much better career at Maryland than most expected," Gibbons said.
Another possibility for Maryland is Jin Soo Kim, a 6-7, 170-pound shooting guard from South Korea. Kim, who committed to the Terps last year as a junior at South Kent (Conn.) School, is back home after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
"He's very skilled. He's a very good shooter," Gibbons said of Kim. "He could give them another offensive weapon."
But there are questions surrounding Kim, including the health of his shoulder.
According to Konchalski, Kim's stock went down from his sophomore year to his junior year at South Kent because of a lack of productivity and a questionable attitude.
Kelvin Jefferson, who took over as South Kent coach in April, said yesterday that he was told Kim is going to "tie up some loose ends" academically - he has enough credits to graduate - and be in College Park in the fall.
Gibbons said Maryland's situation is unique, especially considering that Williams has been coaching at the school for 19 seasons and is just six years removed from a national championship.
"I would say it's rather unusual," Gibbons said. "But times have changed. When you gamble with borderline student-athletes, there's always that possibility."
Jeff Jones, who took Virginia to five NCAA tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight, as well as winning an NIT championship before getting fired after an 11-19 season in his eighth year, said Williams possesses a healthy dose of resilience.
"Gary is amazing to me. He's one of those people that you better not count him out," said Jones, now coach at American. "He functions so well when faced with adversity."
Konchalski said Williams has a long history of "doing more with less," but those familiar with the Maryland program believe this season's team might have less talent than any other in the coach's first 19 years.
"You have to at least have mirrors," Konchalski said.
Williams might not even have that, just a lot of smoke surrounding his once-elite program.
don.markus@baltsun.com
