Conference should fear the turtle in 2003

The Blizzard of 2003 had far-reaching consequences, blocking off highways, businesses and schools and—worst of all—postponing one of the most important Maryland basketball games of the season. Although the then-13th-ranked Terps would play then-11th-ranked Wake Forest the next day, handing them an embarrassing loss, 90-67, it left Maryland in a horrible predicament. The Terrapins would have to play at Duke, Maryland's toughest in-conference opponent, the next day.

Despite a competitive road loss to Duke, which Maryland would have won under any other circumstances, the Terps are almost a lock to win the upcoming ACC tourney.

Wake Forest has the best conference record in the ACC but is far from being the conference's premiere team. Its tenth-place national ranking puts it a slot below ninth-rated Duke and two slots above Maryland, but both Duke and Maryland have defeated Wake Forest by an average of more than 15 points per game.

Of course there is always the team that has the best offense in the ACC. The team that perennially tries to thwart the Terps' dreams. Duke, stocked with McDonald's All-Americans and NBA-draft hopefuls, is Maryland's biggest threat in the ACC. There are two good reasons why the Terps will beat their hated rivals if they face them in the tournament. First, Maryland significantly outclasses Duke on the inside and will be able to rebound and execute in the low post with ease. Second, Duke hasn't been nearly as strong as Maryland against ACC teams this season, achieving most of its wins narrowly. However, any contest between the Terps and the Blue Devils will probably go down to the wire.

Maryland is finishing the season strongly against conference opponents, defeating Wake Forest by 23, North Carolina by 40 and Clemson by 39 points. One can only assume that this trend of absolute domination of ACC opponents will continue into the tourney because of several distinct advantages.

Steve Blake, who leads the team as a veteran point guard and Maryland's all-time assist leader, averages seven assists per game, the highest in the ACC, and is the engine that runs the whole Maryland program. Trace every fast break, open jump shot and thunderous dunk back and, more often than not, Blake will be behind it. He is arguably the best pure point guard in the league. If he performs well, his Terps will have very little trouble taking home another trophy.

Right next to Blake is Drew Nicholas, Maryland's shooting guard and top scorer, who is fourth in the ACC in points scored and points per game. In Blake and Nicholas, Maryland has two of the most established winners in the league. They have been part of Gary Williams' winning tradition for four years and have the mentality essential for producing big plays in tense situations.

Maryland has a host of experienced players besides Blake and Nicholas who can step up in crucial games. Senior big men Tahj Holden and Ryan Randle have been invaluable to the team, but it seems that when one is playing well, the other isn't. Holden has been an offensive disappointment this season, averaging only nine points per game. However, he has shown a tendency to throw down more points in big games, like against Duke when he scored 18. Randle has performed more to his ability, averaging 13 points per game and becoming a dominant inside force.

If Maryland‘s seniors—Blake, Nicholas, Randle and Holden—all perform up to their abilities for the rest of the season and in the ACC tournament, look for College Park to shut down again: not from snow but from overzealous fans partying in the streets.