SUPER BOWL 2012

When you notice your team's leading player on the sidelines, just before the tip, with, ummm . . . what appears to be a "wardrobe malfunction," you start to wonder -- what kind of game is this going to be? Well, interesting . . . at the very least. And, indeed it was. Today's game between the Terps and the 'Canes in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 11,000 at Comcast Center turned out to be an exciting, tightly-contested matchup between two very good teams.

Unfortunately, when it was finally decided -- in the last minute -- the #6-ranked Miami Hurricanes had bested the #8-ranked Terps, 76-74. As often is the case in a game decided by a single possession, it's the little things that make all the difference. And that explains today's outcome.

The Terps played tough -- and mostly very well -- but, particularly down the stretch, they were just a little off. Maryland turnovers and late misses from the charity stripe (while the 'Canes hit almost all of their FTs) . . . those were the not so little things that tipped the scales in favor of Miami.

There's no shame in losing to the 'Canes. There's a reason why they are ranked #6 in the NCAA and are now sitting comfortably at 10-1 in the ACC standings. But that doesn't make this afternoon's loss any easier for the team -- or its fans -- to take. For the Terps, with the toughest schedule in the ACC, a close loss at home . . . well, that really sucks hurts. Maryland's schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out, so the "coulda" wons (Miami), and "shoulda" wons (VT), are that much more disappointing.

Five Maryland players finished in double figures today, two with double-doubles: T-Hawk led the Terps in scoring with 18 points (and 10 rebounds), while Lynetta (off the bench) had, in the BCs' opinion, her best game this season. Netta scored 16 points, pulled down 12 boards, and demonstrated some real senior leadership. An excellent performance by Lynetta . . . we're just sorry for Netta that it ended with an "L." Alyssa (12), Anjale (12) and Laurin (11) completed the double-digit scoring for Maryland.

Two of the Terps' four ACC losses have come at the hands of the 'Canes. Fortunately, that's the last they'll see of Miami, unless they meet in Greensboro. In the meantime -- between now and the ACC tourney -- Maryland has four more games to play. The Terps' next opponent is a very competitive UVA team, on the road, on Thursday. The Terps won the first meeting this season, at Comcast, but the Cavs, at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, will be a tough match-up. And there's no underestimating how important to the Terps' post-season fortunes the outcome of Thursday's game will be.

Go Terps . . . Beat the Wahoos!

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases