Why Steve Francis at Point

In answer to a question:

Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams historically gives preference to seniors, in this case to a fault when Steve Francis played at Maryland. Terrell Stokes was the Maryland senior point guard who was no threat to PENETRATE or to SCORE. He averaged approximately 3-4 points per game. It cost Gary Williams in the NCAA Tournament against St Johns whom Maryland was favored. The St John's strategy was to ignore Stokes and concentrate on the middle and bigmen, stop the pass inside. With Steve Francis at the point it would have gotten this years Maryland All-American candidate Juan Dixon into the starting shooting guard spot since Maryland desparately needed another shooter. Steve Francis at the point is a no-brainer since he flourishes with the ball and is a constant threat to PENETRATE to the basket or pass to the open teammate. TRock-et (Terence) florished that season when Francis was on the floor at the same time.

The first time I saw Steve Francis was at a Hagerstown, MD juco game. WINK could dribble and penetrate through a opening that did not exist! He had moves that I had not seen before and not seen since. He just flourishes with the ball in his hands, the "TRIPLE THREAT". Steve Francis played at Maryland for one year, but it was a year I will never forget. This kind of player does not come along but once every 10-20 years to the average fan. While he was at Maryland he wanted to play point but never made an issue of it. This was told to me by his best high school friend. He is the player you want to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line with seconds to go. He is a winner. FREDTERP