Greivis Vasquez of Maryland Told to Shut Up and Play the Game...Personal Foul!

During several verbal exchanges with his own fans in the Maryland Terrapins’ first ACC matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, junior guard Greivis Vasquez was overheard using the F-word.

The barrage of boos apparently was too much for the hot-blooded, yet likable player to handle and he let the crowd have it without hesitation.

Maryland Terrapins' coach Gary Williams is not mincing words about this bad behavior.

He will not tolerate his players cursing or engaging in any physical or verbal confrontation at any time—period.

“I addressed this issue with Greivis after the game and again yesterday, and that’s behind us.” Williams said.  “That, that you can’t do that.  No matter what was said—and there was some really bad things said besides the booing—from the crowd.  Given that, you still can’t respond, and Greivis knows that, and I think you will not see that again.”

Isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black, Gary?

I know it is wrong to attack people in the stands, and of course, I am not going to adhere to the “It happens all the time, don’t make a big deal of it” argument.

No one has the right to lose his or her mind and freak out on anyone.

The players, referees, coaches should all be held accountable for their actions.

A basketball arena is a public setting to which all standards of good behavior should apply.

And so I believe Coach Williams should practice what he preaches.

The worst mistake an athlete can make is to give in to the ignorance of a highly inebriated fan.

Remember the Ron Artest fiasco a few years back at the Palace of Auburn Hills?

Artest, a member of the Indiana Pacers basketball team, went crazy after a cup of beer was thrown on him from the stands.

Just before this incident occurred, Artest had laid across the scorer’s table in an attempt to protest what he thought was bad officiating.

A drunk fan took advantage of the situation by dousing him with the frosty beverage, and all hell broke loose.

Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson and Artest forged a two-man assault on this fan and his entourage.

Jackson and Artest were viewed on camera throwing fists and elbows like Cassius Clay.

The melee served as the most horrific example of what can go wrong when a player lets the crowd get the best of him.

It also earned RA a little R&R for one year (the duration of his suspension handed down by NBA Commissioner David Stern as a result of this debacle).

Note: There is no evidence to report that these so-called Terps' fans that Vasquez was taunting had been drinking.

Vasquez, if he is not careful, could end up going down a dark path.

If he gives his best effort on the court and that is not enough for an overly stimulated person, then “C’est la vie.”

Coach Williams wants Vasquez to keep his passion for the game alive. 

That is something that drives all of his players.

“Greivis has a chance has a chance to be the first player in Maryland history to lead the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists, and I think that speaks for itself,” said a pragmatic Williams.  “If a guy misses shots, you know that’s too bad, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad player.  I know two of Eric Hayes’ threes down the stretch were assists from Greivis Vasquez.”

Memo to gregarious Greivis: Check yourself before you wreck yourself.