Bobby Collins, Winston-Salem State's basketball coach, says that going two weeks without a game creates a different feeling.
"It feels like the summertime," he said. "It feels like we haven't played a game in a month."
The Rams last played Dec. 8, losing 94-52 at UNC Charlotte, and will return to action today when they play at Maryland at 8 p.m. Their game last Saturday against Ferrum was snowed out.
"One good thing I guess is Maryland has had about 10 days off, so that will be a little challenging for them as well," Collins said. "I guess what it's going to come down to is which team is looking ahead to Christmas and which team wants to play."
Collins said that this is one of the hardest weeks to coach basketball because players are ready to go home and be with their families.
"I've told our guys don't worry about getting that new PlayStation 3 for Christmas, we've got a game to play, and I hope they all have that mindset for at least those two hours we are playing," Collins said.
The Rams (2-6) have yet to defeat an NCAA Division I team this season.
The Terps (6-3) have a Hall of Fame coach in Gary Williams, and a point guard who is among the nation's most talented players in 6-5 Greivis Vasquez. Vasquez can shoot, and Collins says that he'll present a challenge for the Rams.
"He's so smooth running their offense, and he really makes them go," Collins said.
The Rams will be paid about $70,000 for this game, their second against an ACC opponent. They lost to Wake Forest in November. They'll also play Georgia Tech later this month.
Maryland is 63rd in the latest RPI, and WSSU is 307th out of 347 teams.
Vasquez averages 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Terps, guard Eric Hayes averages 13.2 points, and forward Landon Milbourne averages 13.8 points.
The Terps are 4-0 at home this season and 809-286 all-time in College Park, dating to the 1923-24 season. They're also 66-6 in games against non-ACC teams at the Comcast Center.
"I've been up there before when I coached at Hampton, so I know what kind of atmosphere there is, even with the students out on break," Collins said. "They'll still have 8,000 to 10,000 people so we'll have to be ready."
Winston-Salem State will be playing its first game without power forward McIntoche Alcius (broken jaw) and will most likely start three guards -- Andrew Jackson, Brian Fisher and Lamar Monger. Center Paul Davis (6-9) and Corey Morris (6-10) are the probable starters in the frontcourt.
Collins said that Shelton Carter, who has been struggling, will come off the bench.
"I want to find out what kind of team we'll have this year," Collins said. "I think we match up with them size-wise pretty good in the frontcourt. Corey held his own against UNC Charlotte's big guys and got them into a little foul trouble."
Collins says that the Rams have scrimmaged often since their last game to stay sharp but that nothing can duplicate actual games.
"We had a good practice (on Sunday), and I was encouraged by that," Collins said. "I'm just looking forward to getting on the court and playing again. It's been a while."
jdell@wsjournal.com.
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