During Maryland's home game against Georgia Tech last Saturday, Greivis Vasquez was seen shouting numerous times at the student section in the later part of the second half after he was booed by some students earlier in the contest. According to Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun, Vasquez said after the game "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,” Vasquez said. “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.”Vasquez is routinely the subject of attack from certain Maryland fans due to his play and his extreme "out-there" behavior. Maryland was under some duress after the Morgan State loss and the subsequent slow start again Georgia Tech. But this is the first time during a game where Vasquez got visibly upset during a game at Maryland fans.
On the one hand, Vasquez should not be yelling at any fans, regardless of who they are. Most of the time if fans boo or jeer you, they are trying to throw you off. Players can easily get distracted by hostile fans, especially in college games with very energetic students involved. But you have to keep your cool and focus on the game, if you are thinking about the jeering crowd, then you are not 100% focused on the game, and that is exactly what they want. Obviously Maryland fans want them to do well, but home booing fans are booing fans, and in some ways have the same effect if not worse.
But really, once again the Maryland student section is showing its bad side. Just like the ones who were not cheering their hardest during football games, the Maryland students at basketball games can be the same way, just going against their own players. Vasquez is undoubtedly Maryland best player and leader on the court, and like many leaders, he is trying to make shots and guide his team to victory. He is not perfect by any means, but often he is the one that at least tries to make things happen. It is terrible that Maryland students are booing him at any period, the fact is he is a college athlete and Maryland's best player. If it were not for him, this team would be lost. Other teams fear him, and the NBA wants him after this year. And there are actually some fans who would rather have him off the team.
It is easy to understand his frustration, it must be a terrible thing that a college athlete puts his best effort on the court only to have his home fans booing him. Even one as wild and loud as Vasquez. Even the most nasty players still have the comfort of knowing that they have a place that will support them and cheer them on. But for players like Vasquez and Jordan Steffy, some Maryland fans will always hate them no matter what they do. Disappointment is one thing, and so is being angry. But this was over the line by the student section. Vasquez shouldn't have yelled at the fans, but the fans need to be more supportive of their leader.
(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)
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