The biggest hoops story out of Maryland this spring is certainly the recruiting saga of Tyree Evans, the 23-year old JuCo shooting guard with a sweet jumper and lots of baggage.  

I will assume familiarity with Evans’ background, since it has been mentioned by several local and national media outlets.  But for those who understandably needed to take some time off from the Terps following another season that ended in a NIT loss, here are some of the best articles I’ve seen chronicling his situation:

-Luke Winn of SI.com gives a good overview with lots of detail

-Childs Walker of The Sun discusses Evans and other recruits with checkered pasts

-Get insight into Evans’ past, in this piece by Darryl Slater of the Richmond Times-Dispatch

As expected, considering the high risk Evans represents, there is a spirited controversy over whether the Terps should take a chance on Evans.  Valid points have been made by both sides.  Rick Maese of The Sun argues that coach Gary Williams is overstepping his boundaries by pursuing Evans seemingly on his own.  His colleague, Kevin Van Valkenburg, claims that the Terps are making the right move. 

Assuming Evans is admitted to Maryland (he must first pass a review by the Maryland disciplinary office), he will clearly be judged by two factors; his on-the-court performance and his ability to stay out of trouble off the court.  There will be little tolerance for failure in either area. 

Evans is not the only one on the hot seat.  There’s no denying that head coach Gary Williams, Evans’ champion, will be either criticized or praised depending on the guard’s ability to succeed on the hardwood and in College Park.

Williams essentially put his 600-plus wins and national championship on the line. Make no mistake about it, the responsibility is all his.  AD Debbie Yow was left in the dark during Evans’ recruitment.  Evans is his man. 

On-the-court and off-the-court success will determine whether the move was successful for both Evans and Williams, but they are also incomplete.

Sure, Williams’ legacy will forever be linked with Evans.  But, it also depends on the University of Tennessee’s new point guard. 

Lost in the debate over the merits of bringing Evans to Maryland is the man whose scholarship Evans is now on the verge of taking, JuCo PG Bobby Maze.

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