Vasquez Lashes Out at Student Section

The Terps - despite their complete inability to knock down a jump shot for the majority of the game - played good enough defense and hit some clutch free throws to start the ACC season off on the right foot, beating Georgia Tech 68-61 at the Comcast Center. At the game, it was very evident that guard Greivis Vasquez, who struggled for much of the game, was visibly upset with a part of the student section. He came on in the last 10 minutes of the game, and every time he made an assist or knocked down a shot, he would look toward one section of the crowd, and the big screen at the arena caught a visible "shut the f--- up" come from his mouth. Courtesy of the Baltimore Sun, here's what Vasquez (pictured, right) had to say after the game. 

"I don't know if they were booing me or booing the other team. It doesn't bother me. My mind is strong. We're 12 and 3. We were 9 and 5 last year about this time. What the hell are they thinking? If they don't want to believe in us, get the hell out. We don't need them here. We need the people who are going to support us and be with us. I want to say thank you to the people who were supporting us and believing in us. If you don't want to support us, get out."

Strong words, particularly to your own student section. You know what, though? Vasquez is absolutely right, and here's why. 

I am by no means saying that, as a fan, you shouldn't be allowed to criticize your team. I did it just the other day, writing that post about Gary Williams. When I'm at a game, though, do I boo Gary Williams as he does his traditional locker room-to-court march? No, because I'm not moronic. There's a thing in sports that is a proven factor, and it's called home field advantage. By booing your own team, you take away all home field advantage, and even reverse it so that the other team has the edge psychologically. What makes you think that by booing Greivis, he is going to play better?

One more thing about Vasquez. He is easily one of the most frustrating people to root for in sport history. He is cocky, he throws up bad shots, he plays out of control, and he plays without thinking a lot of the time. Here's another thing about Vasquez. He is by far Maryland's best player, and without him they probably would not score 60 points a game. He is the only player on offense that defenses need to account for. It was good to see Hayes step up against GT, but really, just guard him on the three point line. It was apparent in the first half what happens when he drives. Put a quick guy on Bowie, eliminate his drives, and you're golden. Milbourne can't score in the post as a power forward, and the Dave Neal dream was shot down rather easily once we got into conference play. Vasquez, though, will post up smaller players, drive by larger players, and can kick the ball out for an open three better than any Terp I've seen since Steve Blake. 

So, say what you want about Vasquez on your own time (even though I feel like if you think the team doesn't need him, you have problems), and I'll say my things about Gary on my own time. If you're at the game, though, use common sense. Root for your team.