Improving Terps need a quality win quickly
Is Maryland destined to be this year’s Virginia Tech?
Remember the Hokies of 2009-10, who went 23-8 and became the first ACC team to win 10 regular-season league games and not receive a berth in the NCAA tournament since the tournament expanded to 64 teams?
It’s still early, but the stars are aligning the same way this season for Maryland, which has precious few quality wins on its resume and precious few opportunities to get any in the suddenly mediocre ACC.
Would a 10-6 record in the ACC spell the same fate for Maryland that it did for Virginia Tech last year?
| Up next |
| Maryland at No. 7 Villanova |
| When » Saturday, 1 p.m. |
| Where » Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia |
| TV » CBS |
| Radio » 570 AM |
If so, there is added importance for Maryland (11-5) as it faces No. 7 Villanova (15-1) on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Since the season began two months ago, the Terps have made remarkable progress, evolving into a stellar defensive unit. They’ve played tough against four teams currently ranked in the top 20 but lost to all by single-digit margins.
“We feel like we’re a pretty good basketball team with who we’ve lost to,” coach Gary Williams said. “We’re a better team now than when we lost those games. But you have to show it.”
Before Thursday’s games, Maryland had an RPI of 98, far from the number required for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. Simply by virtue of playing in the ACC, the Terps will climb considerably in the RPI rankings.
But they might not climb high enough to satisfy the selection committee if they can’t beat the few quality teams left on their schedule. Only two ranked teams remain — Villanova and No. 1 Duke, which will fall out of the top slot with its loss Wednesday to Florida State.
Facing a schedule full of heavyweights in the loaded Big East, Villanova has no such worries. The Wildcats lost to Tennessee in November but have reeled off 10 straight wins, beating all of their Philadelphia Big Five foes. On Sunday, Villanova handed No. 25 Cincinnati its first loss 72-61. On Wednesday, the Wildcats toppled No. 18 Louisville 88-74.
Seniors Corey Stokes (17.0 ppg) and Corey Fisher (15.3 ppg, 4.8 apg) have been a spectacular backcourt duo, playing off sophomore point guard Maalik Wayns (13.3 ppg, 5.7 apg). Stokes leads the Big East in free throw shooting (93.9 percent) and is third in 3-point shooting (46.8 percent).
With Williams’ team-building efforts producing impressive results, Villanova is a challenge the Maryland coach relishes.
“I like what we’ve done so far in terms of getting our guys to a level,” Williams said. “Now we have to prove that we’re a good team the next two months. It’s kind of fun to have that as a goal.”
