College basketball » Duke at Maryland, Wednesday, ESPN, 9 p.m.
Duke-Maryland is one of the ACC’s best rivalries, and the Terps need a signature win to rise in the NCAA Tournament seedings. Maryland lost the first meeting, 77-56, at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

College basketball » CAA Tournament, Friday, CSN
March Madness starts with a full slate of CAA Tournament games from Richmond. The first round begins Friday at noon. — Jim Williams

BOLD PREDICTIONS

1. Hasheem Thabeet will return to the NBA but not with the Grizzlies » Has the fall of last year’s second overall pick signaled the end of the “you can’t teach height” era of talent scouting in the NBA? Probably not, which is the same that can be said if you asked whether Thabeet’s career at the highest level is really over. But with Memphis already leading the NBA in points in the paint with a revived Zach Randolph and ever-improving Marc Gasol, there’s little reason for Thabeet to return to Memphis from the NBA Development League. Instead, with team options on his contract in 2011 and 2012, it’s much more likely that the former Connecticut standout could become trade bait this offseason. Poor Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace; he was just starting to emerge from the shadow of the seemingly lopsided trade of Pau Gasol two years ago before having adding to his resume the highest draft pick ever to be demoted. — Craig Stouffer

2. Orioles will break the streak » Thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the longest string of losing seasons (17 and running) in major-sports history, the Baltimore Orioles’ streak of 12 doesn’t look so bad. Until you consider this — the small-market Pirates are resigned to futility. The Orioles are not. But this year, despite coming off back-to-back last-place finishes, it all comes together for Baltimore with a trio of stars, several solid offseason additions and a group of young players ready to blossom. The building blocks already in place are CF Adam Jones, 2B Brian Roberts and RF Nick Markakis. The key additions are lower-priced, calculated gambles — 1B Garrett Atkins, 3B Miguel Tejada, SP Kevin Millwood and RP Mike Gonzalez. The emerging youngsters include C Matt Wieters, OF Nolan Reimold and starting pitcher Brian Matusz. Pitching is a concern, but the lineup is strong and the defense will be solid, especially up the middle. Mark down the Orioles for 81 wins, at least. — Kevin Dunleavy

3. Evan Turner will be the college player of the year » Others are definitely in consideration. Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds and Syracuse’s Wesley Johnson deserve much credit for their team’s success. Kentucky’s John Wall likely will be the No. 1 draft pick this spring and has led the Wildcats back into national prominence. However, Turner has to do more than anyone for Ohio State to win. The Buckeyes have no bench, and four of their starters, including Turner, are 6-foot-7 or smaller. Yet Ohio State might end up winning the Big Ten. The real test: Turner was forced to change positions (to point guard), and while not a natural, he has adapted and is averaging 19.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He also returned a few weeks early from breaking two vertebrae in his back. Because of his importance to the Buckeyes, his adaptability and his leadership, Turner is a worthy choice. — John Keim

PLAYER TO WATCH

Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta Braves
This is the time of year for “what ifs” and “he could be …” Despite the hype around D.C., Stephen Strasburg isn’t at the top of everyone’s radar. But Heyward is — both MLB.com and Baseball America have the Atlanta outfielder at the top of their list of prospects — and for good reason. The five-tool lefty has produced at the minor league level with increasing effectiveness, and he won’t turn 21 until August. In the past he’s drawn comparisons to Fred McGriff — so why did he drop to No. 14 in the 2007 draft? No one pitched to him in high school, so no scout was able to get a good look at him. But the Braves had the inside track on the prep star with his close proximity to Atlanta. Everyone has seen him now, and a good spring could catapult him to the Opening Day roster. — Leon Saffelle

FIVE UP & FIVE DOWN


UP

1. Kevin Durant » The Thunder’s star just concluded a streak of 29 consecutive games scoring at least 25 points and is second in the NBA in points per game.

2. Kim Yu-Na » The heavily favored South Korean figure skater shattered her previous world record by 18 points and easily won gold.

3. Gonzaga » The Bulldogs men’s basketball team has secured at least a share of the West Coast Conference title for the 10th straight season.

4. Kansas » The Big 12 could be the toughest conference in the country, but the Jayhawks didn’t have any problems already clinching the conference title.

5. Alex Rodriguez » Last year he was answering questions about steroids. Now the Yankees third baseman is addressing questions about winning a World Series.


DOWN
1. Veteran running backs » LaDainian Tomlinson was dropped by the Chargers and the Eagles let Brian Westbrook go after both reached that 30-year-old mark.

2. U.S. women’s hockey team » Team Canada has won three straight gold medals while the Americans had to settle for silver in Vancouver.

3. Boston Celtics » The 2008 champs look old. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce need to get healthy quickly if Boston has any chance to challenge in the East.

4. Tiger Woods » The list of endorsement deals Woods has lost is growing faster than his list of affairs. Gatorade is the most recent to cut ties with Tiger.

5. Caps Olympians » Not a good showing as all five players missed a chance at a medal. But at least they can focus on winning a Stanley Cup now.

— Jeffrey Tomik