Do You Believe in Miracles??? Well, if you happen to be a "Saint," you'd better. Tonight the Maryland Terrapins play host (???) to the Siena College Saints at 7 PM. Siena brings a 1-6 record into Comcast. (The BasketCases needn't remind you of Maryland's record.) The Saints' most recent game was Saturday night at George Mason (a common opponent) where Siena lost by a score of 61-44 (that would be a 17-point loss!) Just to refresh your memory . . . the Terps beat Mason on banner-raising night 99-43 (that would be a 56-point win!)

OK, We Have a Confession To Make . . . We Just Can't Bring Ourselves to Look! Last year the Terps beat the Saints 107-66 on Siena's home floor in Loudonville, NY. (Somehow the BasketCases think that the Saints would consider it a miracle if they managed to escape from Comcast tonight with a mere 41 point loss.) So we've decided to stay home and scout Duke who's playing at Rutgers at 7 PM this evening, a game being broadcast on ESPN2. (Our failure to attend the Terps' game is in the best interest of Maryland, because we have no doubt that Coach B will want the BasketCases to help her draw up the game plan for the January 13th meeting with the Blue Devils.)

In an effort to make full disclosure, we must also confess that the brother of one of the BasketCases played basketball for Siena College --- back in the days of peach baskets. But we can honestly tell you that this doesn't influence our loyalties in any way whatsover. Let's be clear on this: The BasketCases Want Maryland To Win! But, if what we expect to happen tonight actually happens, everyone associated with the Saints should leave Comcast with enough Purgatory Points so that when St. Peter calls, they can skip the side-trip and go directly to heaven.