COLLEGE PARK -- Right before Exree Hipp was to begin his freshman year at the University of Maryland, there was some question whether he or sophomore John Walsh would start at small forward for the Terrapins.
But Walsh was slowed by off-season back surgery and Hipp, then a skinny 170 pounds, started each of the team's 30 games as a freshman. He started all 28 last season as a sophomore and has started Maryland's first five games this season.
Tonight, in a home game at 8 against UMBC, the 6-foot-8, 205-pound junior will start his 64th straight game, breaking Adrian Branch's record for consecutive starts beginning a Terps career.
"I've stayed healthy, I've worked hard and I've had the opportunity," said Hipp, who is off to the most consistent start of his career, averaging 17 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 56.1 percent for the 11th-ranked Terps.
Said Maryland coach Gary Williams: "He's played with some jammed fingers and sprained ankles. He's got a pretty high pain threshold."
NOTE: Sophomore center Joe Smith, who has been bothered by a sprained left ankle, is nearly back to 100 percent, Williams said.