Terps launch hoops season with Maryland Madness

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The spirit squad wore tank-tops with the No. 20 on both sides and the name "Williams" on the back. Maryland Madness began with a "Gary Williams Look-Alike" contest, and the highlight of the show was the arrival of the main man in an armored military vehicle.

The players, the starting time and even the name of the event has changed over the years. But for the past two decades, the coach has remained the same.

Gary Williams opened his 20th season at Maryland by unveiling the 2008-09 men's basketball team Friday night. Before the Terrapins got down to serious business with their first formal practice Saturday morning, they were given the opportunity to show off for students, alumni and season ticket-holders at the packed Comcast Center.

"I'm looking forward to just coming out in front of the fans and having a little bit of fun," freshman guard Sean Mosley said before the festivities. "It's a different experience for me."

There were broad smiles, smoke and spotlights during introductions, and the brief scrimmage didn't stress the tight defense that usually defines one of Williams' teams. That type of stuff will begin in earnest Saturday.

The Madness began at Maryland in the 1970s under coach Lefty Driesell. Back then, it was called Midnight Madness, and the Terrapins didn't take the court until the stroke of midnight - the first minute of the first official day of practice.

The NCAA relaxed the rules a few years ago, so Friday night's show began at the civil hour of 7:20 p.m.

After four guys paraded around the court doing their best impression of Maryland's fiery, gray-haired coach, there was an alumni game that ended in a tie. The biggest cheer during introductions was for Byron Mouton, a small forward on the 2002 national championship team.

Soon after the final buzzer, the women's team went through a dance routine dressed in camouflage pants, black shirts and white masks. The men's team also put on a choreographed show, displaying funky moves they definitely won't be displaying against Atlantic Coast Conference competition this winter.

Later, each player walked down the aisle from the concourse level onto the court. Many dunks ensued, some fancier than others.

Mosley, as planned, kept it elementary.

"I'm doing a simple dunk. A regular, basic dunk," he said.

Then came the arrival of Williams, a former player, the winningest basketball coach in school history and overseer of Maryland's only national champion. The truck had flashing red and blue lights, and Williams popped out of a porthole at the top.