Eric Prisbell and Steve Yanda of The Washington Post tackle the decline of Maryland's basketball program in a riveting three-part series.

The first segment deals with the immediate recruiting aftermath of the 2002 national title and the players Williams missed. That list includes Deron Williams, Josh Boone, Matt Walsh and later Maryland products Joe Alexander, Scottie Reynolds and Malcolm Delaney, who had particularly damning comments about Williams' involvement, or lack of, in recruiting.

John Feinstein weighs in on the "Gary Williams vs. the Maryland athletic department" spat and sums it up thusly:

"It is time to see the forest through the trees at Maryland. Arguing about Gus Gilchrist and Tyree Evans is like arguing over whose job it is to lock the door when the house is on fire.

It is up to Williams to find the players who can put out the fire. It is up to Yow and everyone else at Maryland to not fan the flames."

Maryland has lost five of seven, starting with a home date with Morgan State on Jan. 7, and is on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five years.

Considering Gary Williams started the decade with two trips to the Final Four, in three years, and won the national title (2002), the natives are more than restless in Terp Town.

After Tuesday night's home meltdown — up 11 at the half — against fellow bubble-seeker Boston College, Williams fired a salvo at the Maryland administration on the absence of two recruits, Gus Gilchrist and Tyree Evans.