Well, that was well worth getting home after 1 AM. That was the final score in the battle for first in the ACC as the Maryland Terrapins beat the Duke Blue Devils for a share to the ACC crown going into the final conference games for each. It was also Senior night as Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne, and injured Jerome Burney were honored in pre-game ceremonies. Imagine how great this team would be if we had a healthy Burney!
All three active seniors contributed key plays. Hayes drained important 3's and drove in for those sweeping layups he's been using all season. Milbourne, after taking outside jumpers when he had an open lane to drive, hit a monster slam to break a slump in the Terps offense. Might have helped that our section and most of the arena was screaming "Go Inside!!!" at him. Of course, Vasquez was his usual confident self, just building his resume for ACC Player of the Year. It was fitting that on Senior Night, he ended the night hitting 2 free throws.
The game started off great with the Terps on a 10-2 run and built to a 14 point lead. But Coach K made adjustments and got the Blue Devils to just down 2 at half 40-38. Despite not liking him, everyone has to admit Coach K is a great coach. Duke came out of the half to take an immediate lead to 41-40 and built on it. The slump lasted until under 10 minutes left, when the Terps and Duke battled back and forth the next 7 minutes changing leads and tying the game up. But the last 3 was all worth it for the Terps. Good passing, and of course, Vasquez throwing up his trademark crazy shots, sealed the deal. Even freshman Jordan Williams stepped up, hitting free throws, where there is no argument is the worst part of his game.
Up next is Virginia to end the regular season in Charlottesville. Not only are they always tough for MD on their court, this shows signs of a let down game. Similar to the Virginia Tech game, but the Terps remained high in that game. If they can end the season on a win streak and put up quality play in the ACC Tournament, MD can make the committee think hard about seeding in the dance.
But let's savor the moment and how beating Duke is great everytime it happens. And it always justifies a storming of the court.
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