Jin Soo, We love you...

There was a monumental event last week in Maryland sports history last week, but I doubt that many of you fine readers know about it unless you bother to follow Maryland basketball recruiting. For the year 2009.

I'm referring to, of course, the oral commitment from Jin Soo Kim, a 6-8 native South Korean.

Yes, you read that correctly. Asians play basketball. They're in the NBA, and now they're in American colleges.

According to Kim's cousin (not the most reliable source, as a disclaimer) Jin Soo may be the first-ever Korean-born Division I basketball player. Read this article for a little more about Kim.

I remember the feeling I got when Yao Ming was drafted into the NBA: Pride. And I feel the same way about Kim. I'm even more proud that I go to the school that he will attend. I'm even more excited that I'm going to the college that he wants to attend.

This university recently reported that 17 percent of the school is composed of Asians, making them the largest minority group on campus. Sometimes Asians are seen as the "not minority" minority, but I think the fact that there are breakthroughs like this happening all the time shows how much further Asians still have to come. For example:

- Every Asian player is described as "weak" or "needing more strength." Guaranteed. Look it up.
- Many Asians that are successful in this country are post players. I know there are Asian guards that can handle a basketball.
- The NBA is recognizing the potential of Asia in the talent market, but D-I colleges are still behind. Other universities should follow Maryland's example, or go above and beyond like the University of Memphis.

Until then, I see this development as a happy beginning.

-As a player, Kim sounds like a pretty decent shot. His stroke has raised the eyes of Gary Williams and NBA scouts alike. It helps that he's in prep school, so we can see how he stacks up against players in this country.

-Another note with more immediate ramifications: Gus Gilchrist, a 6-10 center and 4-star recruit will be enrolling at Maryland in January. The decision will come down soon whether he will play next semester or simply practice until next year. Incredibly, Maryland fans may already have gotten a good look at the young Gilchrist at the Capital Classic in April when he scored 24 points and earned the MVP award.

Two 4-stars for the class of 2008? That ain't too shabby.

Quick Weekend Wrap-up

Here's a quick look at the sports that sometimes get overlooked when interesting things are happening:

- In men's soccer this weekend, the tie game against Cal State Northridge was overshadowed by a fight at the end. According to eyewitnesses, junior Rich Costanzo was seen throwing punches (and I've heard some people say that he can be a pretty intense guy), but I'll take the bold assumption that the whole team was pretty well provoked. Look at the box score and behold: a whopping 26 fouls in one game!!! They had 13 fouls in the first half, as many as the Terps had all game.

- In field hockey, a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup resulted in a Maryland loss. The Terps allowed 23 shots while they themselves took none, despite the best efforts of freshman phenom Katie O'Donnell who, as of last week, was leading all of Division I in goals per game and points per game by a tremendous margin. Also, I give a lot of respect to goalie Kathryn Masson, who didn't allow a goal in the entire first half, despite 14 shots on goal. The good news is the last two seasons, Maryland has suffered a midseason loss to a ranked opponent, only to go back and win the NCAA championship. I don't think people realize how lucky we are to have a team like that.

- This isn't a wrap-up but rather an appeal to everyone who loves seeing the Terps beat Duke (I hope that's a lot of you). My friend Christina Paul plays for Terp volleyball and she's a real sweetheart. She wants anyone that can to come Sunday, Oct. 28th at 1:00 to Comcast to support the Terps as they take on Duke. So far this year, volleyball has won every match at home.

As always, go Terps

Matt Ryan... really?

ESPN just released an updated Heisman Watch.

First of all, thank you at last for taking down Darren McFadden. McFadden, for those of you who haven't had the chance to see one of his electrifying highlight tapes, is a great runner. However, how can he be the most valuable player in all of college football when he isn't necessarily the best player on his own team... at his own position.

That being said, I wish the "experts" at ESPN would have a little foresight down the road.

Matt Ryan won't be the front runner for long. You don't need to be an expert to figure this out. Just take a look at their schedule...

That's right, Ryan has been able to brave the fearsome Bowling Green Falcons into the cupcakes of his schedule... wait, Virginia Tech? Maryland? Miami? What do all those teams have in common? Oh right, they're all in the top-35 passing defenses in D-I football! Not to mention Clemson, which is currently No. 1 in that category.

True contenders? I see Mike Hart and Andre Woodson as the most likely and most deserving candidates. And as my good friend Andy Grove, of Winston-Salem, points out, why not Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, who is on pace to shatter every significant single-season receiving record on the books, including a few by a guy named Jerry Rice. I know he's a system receiver, but honestly, so what? It's still amazing. And as far as Tim Tebow goes, how about chilling out, LSU playa haters. He's just in college.

My prediction for the Terps this weekend (and this may change):

Maryland 24, Virginia 13

Let's go Maryland!!!