The Freshman Four.

Games like tonight's -- while they don't test the Terps the way a game vs LSU or Oklahoma or Notre Dame may -- can serve a valuable purpose nonetheless. They provide an opportunity for young players to get valuable minutes and valuable experience in game situations.

Last season our only new member of the Terps roster, Emery Wallace, was redshirted due to a knee injury. Tonight, the red-shirt Freshman led the Terps with 18 points, in only 16 minutes of play. Emery hit all three of her 3-pt attempts and remained perfect for the season from the foul line, as Maryland nearly lapped the Loyola Greyhounds, 98-50, at Comcast.

The other 3 members of the Freshmen Four also had impressive outings. Freshman Drey Mingo (the Terps 2nd leading scorer in tonight's game) was close behind Emery with 16 points (and 6 rebounds). Freshman Marah Stickland (who started for Maryland) scored 12. Meanwhile Freshman Kat Lyons chipped in with 6 points and 8 assists (vs zero turnovers). Add them up and you'll see that the four freshmen outscored Loyola 52-50 and accounted for more than half of the Terps' points! From what we saw tonight, the BasketCases would have to say the future looks bright for Maryland basketball.

None of the Terps played more than 28 minutes in tonight's contest, which should leave the team well rested as they tackle perhaps their toughest opponent of the early season . . . Holiday Travel! The coaches and players will leave on an early flight out of BWI tomorrow morning, with their ultimate destination being L.A. They'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in California and then, on Friday, the Gauchos of UC-Santa Barbara (whom the Terps hosted at Comcast last season) will welcome the Terps to their home court. After that . . . it's UCLA on Sunday. Then back at home a week from today (Tuesday), they take on the Big East's Pitt Panthers.

To the Maryland team and coaches and to any of our loyal readers who may be hitting the road (or taking to the skies) for the holiday . . . we hope you have a safe and easy trip!