Former Terps guard recalls magical Maryland memories, shares observations of Willard

Sean Mosley was a part of the Maryland basketball program throughout an attention-grabbing time. The previous Terps guard bridged the hole between Gary Williams and Mark Turgeon, and performed in some storied video games, with a legendary teammate in Greivis Vasquez. His finest reminiscence? A 79-72 upset of No. 4 Duke in 2010, on Vasquez’s senior night time at Xfinity Middle.

“My freshman 12 months, we performed North Carolina, you recognize, that they had Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Inexperienced, Wayne Ellington, Tywon Lawson. We beat them, I feel they had been ranked No. 3 within the nation that 12 months. And we beat them at residence. And in my sophomore 12 months, clearly the memorable Maryland vs. Duke sport,” he stated throughout a current look on Kevin Willard’s radio present. “Greivis, Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne’s senior night time, we performed Duke and the place was rocking. The ground was shaking. And it most likely was the perfect, most likely the perfect sport I performed in to date. And I performed in a whole lot of video games, simply taking part in basketball, however that was most memorable for certain.

“It was the perfect sport I’ve ever performed in. And clearly, having the Terps followers behind us was simply superb. And once more, seeing what number of followers on the market, two o’clock, three o’clock within the morning simply ready to get into the sport. We could not let the followers down … We misplaced no residence video games that 12 months. So it was superb.”

That was top-of-the-line seasons in current Maryland historical past. The Terps went 24-9 general and 13-3 within the ACC, profitable a bit of the regular-season convention title. After all, it did not finish effectively, with Maryland being knocked out within the second spherical of the NCAA Match on Michigan State guard Korie Luscious’ buzzer-beater.

“Oh, man. That was powerful. It was a nightmare for certain. , we had been down 13 at halftime, taking part in towards a Corridor of Fame coach in Tom Izzo and his guys had been taking part in up you recognize, that they had Draymond Inexperienced and another professionals on that group as effectively,” stated Mosley, who began 108 video games, which ranks 14th in program historical past, and scored 1,103 profession factors.

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“And to get the lead late within the second half and have that three-point shot go in on the finish of the sport, it simply took every little thing out of us. All of the laborious work, the dedication and the chemistry we had. For certain. For certain, if we beat Michigan State, we go to the Last 4 or nationwide championship sport, for certain.”

The Baltimore native has adopted this system carefully and has been impressed by Kevin Willard.

“Yeah, the 2 video games that I attended, I really like the environment. However I simply love his grit and such as you say, that form of, like, firepower that you’d get from coach Williams on the sidelines, the identical factor that coach Willard brings,” he stated. “And I feel clearly, he is getting a very good response from the children as a result of the children are taking part in as much as par. And clearly, that they had some powerful losses. However I feel because the season goes on, I feel for certain they’re going to get higher and higher over time.”

Extra from Mosley:

On the transition from highschool to varsity: “Oh, it was form of a straightforward transition for me, taking part in alongside Malcolm Delaney and Donte Inexperienced for AAU basketball, clearly me going to St. Frances, and taking part in towards them guys in highschool and taking part in towards another professionals like Dajuan Summers. The transition was simple, nevertheless it was laborious. , clearly, coming to Maryland, taking part in for coach Williams, a Corridor of Fame coach and he needs loads out, he will get loads out of all these gamers that got here to the College of Maryland, that performed underneath him. And simply having that grit and the grind, as a result of he was he wasn’t a straightforward coach to play for. However for those who got here in and labored day in and time out, the sport turned simpler, you developed as a participant. And clearly having Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and different guys alongside. It made issues extra welcoming.”

On selecting Maryland: “Keith Sales space was there. For me, that was an idol for me and, once more, realizing that I might be capable of be 45 minutes away [from home]. Got here down tomorrow and Syracuse. Properly, my thoughts was already made as much as be a part of Maryland. Fantastic campus, an ideal schooling, and clearly sports activities is prime tier. So it was a no brainer.”

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On what Williams informed him as a recruit: “He did not inform me something. He simply stated I feel you bought, I feel you bought a chance to start out. Hou did not promise me something. And you recognize, figuring out in Ritchie Coliseum, which was a scorching gymnasium within the summertime, however we grinded. And he realized that I developed in that quick timeframe. And now clearly, exercises had been slightly more durable than highschool for me. So this transition for that practice-wise was completely different as a result of working towards twice a day, within the weight room, power and conditioning, 5 within the morning, then you definately come again, observe. In order that was slightly completely different for me, however I understood my function, and I understood what the group wanted on the time. And that is what I offered. And that is why I performed a whole lot of minutes coming into my freshman 12 months.”

On what he is doing now: “Now I am again residence, Baltimore, I needed to cease taking part in in 2016 because of a household concern or no matter. Now I’ve my nonprofit group right here in Baltimore. And we attempt to give again to the group right here and simply attempt to assist youngsters get off the road. And clearly, after highschool, we attempt to give these youngsters a chance to exit and make some cash and we’re truly partnered up with a building firm right here in Baltimore,” he stated. “So we attempt to give again to the youth right here.

“I took 25 youngsters to the College of Maryland for the UMBC sport. And coach Willard got here out and talked to the fellows, they bought to see their locker room. So it just about bought them amped up for the upcoming season. And clearly, to see what the college can deliver, if they’ve that chance. As a result of a whole lot of youngsters in this system, they are not simply not targeted on basketball, form of, you recognize, only a group gathering the place now we have guys that will need to play soccer, they might need to be a physician or lawyer, however we need to give them alternative. For me, sure, I had that chance to go to two schools, might’ve visited extra. However youngsters do not have the chance and a few youngsters right here in Baltimore do not depart Baltimore Metropolis. So simply open issues for them and clearly get them enthusiastic about college.”