Laron Profit

COLLEGE PARK -- That was a telling conversation Laron Profit had with his mother Tuesday morning. It seems that Bernetta Truiett's son had a much easier time than she did accepting his third-team status on the all-Atlantic Coast Conference basketball team. "I couldn't believe it," Profit's mother said. "I was in shock when I heard the news. I called my husband, and told him I'd have to call Laron and comfort him. When we talked, Laron just said, `Chill.' He said I shouldn't let it bother me. I was the one upset, and he's the one who handled it. That made me feel wonderful."

Steve Francis was back at practice yesterday, but that doesn't mean he'll be back in the Orlando Magic's starting lineup tonight against the Washington Wizards. Magic coach Brian Hill said he was undecided about Francis, the former Maryland star, regaining his starting role immediately, hinting that second-year point guard Jameer Nelson may replace him. Francis missed the previous two games - both losses on a West Coast trip - after being suspended by the team for his refusal to re-enter a game in the final minutes against the Seattle SuperSonics last week.

COLLEGE PARK -- The transformation in Laron Profit was confounding.A junior forward, he led Maryland and the Atlantic Coast Conference in steals this season, with an approach firmly rooted in the fall. He relates to an elite defensive back, say Deion Sanders, or the "neighborhood bully who took your ball and told you to go home."So what happened to that bravado once Profit got his hands on the ball? When he came open on the perimeter in January, Profit became stricken with paralysis by analysis.

WASHINGTON -- When the Washington Wizards reconvene at MCI Center next fall for the start of the 2005-2006 season, it will be with much higher expectations and a much different roster, one that will likely not include local favorites Juan Dixon and Steve Blake. The two former Maryland stars nearly helped the Wizards extend their surprising season Saturday night before losing to the Miami Heat, 99-95. The 17-3 run generated by Dixon and Blake that briefly gave Washington the lead was followed with a 5-0 run by the Heat that closed out a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards center Jahidi White had just wheeled in the lane and backed his 290-pound body against Michael Smith, who was sent sprawling onto the practice court at MCI Center."

COLLEGE PARK -- He is a work in progress. He is difficult to figure, head-scratching one moment, jaw-dropping the next. There are stretches when he disappears from games, then seemingly out of nowhere, dominates them.It is often frustrating to watch Maryland guard Laron Profit, not only for Terrapins fans who see his burgeoning stardom, but for his teammates and coaches as well. Even his mother gets a little anxious waiting for him to get into the flow of a game."I get on him all the time," said sophomore point guard Terrell Stokes, who has roomed with Profit since they arrived together last season.

Auto racing CART: Fined Paul Tracy $50,000, stripped him of three championship points and placed him on probation for final two events of the year for unsafe driving and other violations during Sunday's race. Baseball Brewers: Purchased contract of IF Marcos Scutaro from Triple-A Indianapolis. Mets: Announced P C.J. Nitkowski and P Donne Wall filed for free agency. Bowie Baysox: Named Andy Frankel director of communications and Brad Sims director of ticket operations. Promoted assistant director of marketing Phil Wrye to director of marketing.

BasketballWizards: Placed G Laron Profit (Maryland) on the injured reserve. Activated G Richard Hamilton from injured reserve.CBA: Suspended Grand Rapids coach Mark Hughes one game for player dress code violations.CollegesSouthern Conference: Suspended College of Charleston F Derrick Miller for one game because he received a flagrant technical foul during Dec. 21 game.North Carolina: Named Rick Steinbacher assistant to the athletic director.Radford: Suspended basketball players Jamar Betz, Byron Hall, Lamar King, Camara Mitz and Jason Williams for three games for failing to return to the team on time after a holiday break.

Maryland (19-6, 8-4) at Georgia Tech (9-13, 3-9)Site: Alexander Memorial Coliseum, AtlantaTime: 7TV: ESPN/WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM)Outlook: For different reasons, this is an important game for both teams. The 14th-ranked Terrapins are trying to keep alive their somewhat slim chances of winning the ACC regular-season championship, and the Yellow Jackets are trying to avoid going from first to worst in the standings (they are eighth among the nine teams). Sophomore G Gary Saunders, who was academically ineligible when the teams met in December, is coming off a 21-point performance against North Carolina and his 12.4 points per game is second to junior F Matt Harpring (19.0 ppg)

COLLEGE PARK -- The University of Maryland men's basketball team has received its first oral commitment in what is expected to be a busy fall signing period for the Terrapins.Laron Profit, a 6-foot-6 guard, committed to the Terps after making his official visit last weekend.Jeff Savage, Profit's coach at Caesar Rodney High in Camden, Del., yesterday confirmed the player's decision, according to published reports. The signing period begins Nov. 9."He's playing point guard for us, but he'll be a 2-3 [shooting guard-small forward]

Moves Baseball ASTROS: Sent P Jeremy Griffiths outright to Triple-A Round Rock. Purchased contracts of P Jared Gothreaux, P Wandy Rodriguez and OF Luke Scott from Round Rock, P Mark McLemore from Single-A Salem and P Juan Gutierrez from Rookie-level Greeneville. ATHLETICS: Purchased contracts of C John Baker and P Chris Mabeus from Triple-A Sacramento, C Jeremy Brown from Double-A Midland and OF Jason Perry from Single-A Modesto. BLUE JAYS: Purchased contracts of P Vince Perkins, P Ismael Ramirez, IF Raul Tablado and OF Miguel Negron from Single-A Dunedin and 3B John Hattig from Double-A New Hampshire.

Auto racing CART: Fined Paul Tracy $50,000, stripped him of three championship points and placed him on probation for final two events of the year for unsafe driving and other violations during Sunday's race. Baseball Brewers: Purchased contract of IF Marcos Scutaro from Triple-A Indianapolis. Mets: Announced P C.J. Nitkowski and P Donne Wall filed for free agency. Bowie Baysox: Named Andy Frankel director of communications and Brad Sims director of ticket operations. Promoted assistant director of marketing Phil Wrye to director of marketing.

BasketballWizards: Placed G Laron Profit (Maryland) on the injured reserve. Activated G Richard Hamilton from injured reserve.CBA: Suspended Grand Rapids coach Mark Hughes one game for player dress code violations.CollegesSouthern Conference: Suspended College of Charleston F Derrick Miller for one game because he received a flagrant technical foul during Dec. 21 game.North Carolina: Named Rick Steinbacher assistant to the athletic director.Radford: Suspended basketball players Jamar Betz, Byron Hall, Lamar King, Camara Mitz and Jason Williams for three games for failing to return to the team on time after a holiday break.

WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards center Jahidi White had just wheeled in the lane and backed his 290-pound body against Michael Smith, who was sent sprawling onto the practice court at MCI Center."

Et ceteraMarylander Coley wants his shot at TrinidadDerrell "Too Sweet" Coley (34-1-2, 24 knockouts) of Capitol Heights, the World Boxing Council's No. 1-ranked welterweight contender, will hold a national teleconference today in an effort to force a mandatory opportunity against World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation champion Felix Trinidad (36-0, 30 KOs).Trinidad is coming off his unification victory in Las Vegas over Oscar De La Hoya (31-1, 25 KOs). Coley and his promoter, Dan Goossen, are trying to block any plans by Trinidad that may not include Coley.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- When Michael Jordan announced his most recent retirement, Steve Francis took a magic marker and printed "MJ #23" on his Nikes.Maryland's junior guard insists that copying Jordan isn't the reason he wears that number with the Terps. Francis averages a reference a week to the man who is a hero to millions of basketball players, however, and his penchant for driving with his tongue out caught up to him two days ago.The style and the trappings are nice, but they are not the reason Francis aspires to be like Mike.

Coach: Gary Williams (329-218), eighth seasonAffiliation: Atlantic Coast Conference1995-96 record: 17-13 overall, 8-8 in ACC (lost to Santa Clara in first round of NCAA tournament)Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WTOP (1500 AM)Arena: Cole Field House, College Park (14,500)Starters lost: ThreeTickets: A limited number are available for selected home games. Call (800) 462-TERP.Best home game: North Carolina, Feb. 22. Terps will look to avenge last year's last-second defeat.Best visiting player: Tim Duncan, Wake Forest, Feb. 1. Demon Deacons center is preseason national Player of the Year.

Coach: Gary Williams, 10th season at Maryland (164-112), 21st overall (371-240).Affiliation: Atlantic Coast Conference.1997-98 record: 21-11 overall, 10-6 in ACC.Radio: WBAL (1090 AM), WMAL (630 AM), WMUC (650 AM).Arena: Cole Field House (14,500).Starters lost: Two.Tickets: Season tickets sold out. Call 800-462-8377 for single-game availability.Best home game: Duke, Jan. 3. The Terps will look to exorcise some demons when they meet the Blue Devils, the preseason No. 1. Duke whipped Maryland by 32 and 27 points last season.

COLLEGE PARK -- That was a telling conversation Laron Profit had with his mother Tuesday morning. It seems that Bernetta Truiett's son had a much easier time than she did accepting his third-team status on the all-Atlantic Coast Conference basketball team. "I couldn't believe it," Profit's mother said. "I was in shock when I heard the news. I called my husband, and told him I'd have to call Laron and comfort him. When we talked, Laron just said, `Chill.' He said I shouldn't let it bother me. I was the one upset, and he's the one who handled it. That made me feel wonderful."