Francis

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets struggled this season without their star guard Steve Francis. They may have to figure out how to win without him on a permanent basis.

When asked to comment on Maryland's ride to the championship game Monday morning, the former Terp guard said he is ready to leave Houston if an opportunity arises to return to the east coast.

"Definitely. Oh, without a doubt," Francis told Baltimore's WBAL Sports Radio. "I love my coaches and teammates in Houston. They have been great to me. But I've expressed to them that the east is my home and if I have a chance to go back, I won't be in Houston too long."

Francis is averaging a career high in points (21.3), assists (6.6) and rebounds (7.1) this season, leading the Rockets in all three categories. Houston is 24-26 with Francis in the lineup this season. Without him they are 2-20.

The 25-year old point guard, who played with Maryland in 1998-99, has fond memories of his time there.

"I see all the hoopla surrounding the team and I miss it," added Francis. "It reminds me of my year there, the type of fans that supported me ... I miss [playing in Maryland]."

Francis also said he has had some problems in Houston.

"I'm just tired of losing," said the Rockets guard. "Our offense this season is terrible, and we have so many dribblers already here that it's hard for me to fit in. And these clown uniforms have got to go."

"I'd also like to play some at power forward... maybe even the five. Why can't coach see this? Please, get riddy of Ruddy."

Last season, Francis became the first player to lead the Rockets in points, rebounds and assists. He averaged 19.9 points and 6.9 rebounds -- tops among guards -- and was 15th in the league with 6.5 assists per game. The 1999-2000 NBA co-rookie of the year also was ninth with a career-best 1.76 steals per contest.

Francis also was the only player in the NBA last season to record at least 500 rebounds and 500 assists.

Acquired from the Vancouver Grizzlies following the 1999 draft, Francis became just the seventh rookie in league history to average 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. He paced Houston with 18.0 points, 6.6 assists and 1.53 steals while averaging 5.3 rebounds.