Playing on Sunday

Playing on Thursday at the ACC Tournament is something not to be wished for. But playing on Sunday . . . well, that's what it's all about!

Today, Saturday, as the Terps huddled in the tunnel before their semi-final game against Wake Forest, they had just one goal, and one goal only: to play on Sunday.

And play on Sunday they will! The Terps defeated the Demon Deacons this afternoon, 73-58, to advance to the ACC Championship game for the first time since 2009. It may not have been Maryland's most impressive performance this season, but it got the job done. And in Greensboro (as in all tournament play), winning and advancing . . . are all that matters. Maryland won today. Maryland advances. Maryland plays on Sunday against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who, in the first game of today's double-header, easily dispatched their semi-final opponent, NC State, 87-61.

In Maryland's semi-final, Super Soph Alyssa Thomas led all scorers with 18 points, and all rebounders with 12 (yes, another double-double for the ACC POY). Three other Terps also scored in double figures -- Laurin Mincy (13), Lynetta Kizer (12), and Tianna Hawkins (10).

The BCs also want to single out another player, rookie Brene Moseley. Playing in her first ACC Tournament, Bones has looked in these first two tournament games more like a seasoned veteran than a freshman playing her first season back from a year rehabbing an ACL injury. From the very first Maryland game this fall, Bones impressed us with her poise, and has continued to impress us since. Bones had 9 points in 16 minutes off the bench today. Her total included two shots from the free throw line -- that she calmly swished -- after one of the Wake players was called for a technical. Many upperclassmen would not have been that calm in this Tournament atmosphere. But Bones sunk both shots, to extend the Terps' lead.

Tomorrow, Bones and all the Maryland players will need to be focused -- and poised -- when they take the court against the Yellow Jackets at 2 PM in the nationally-televised Championship game (ESPN2). When the buzzer sounds at the end of 40 minutes (or possibly even a little more), one team will cut down the nets and one team will simply head home. If tomorrow's game follows the usual pattern of Maryland v. Georgia Tech match-ups, it will be tough, physical . . . and close. In other words, a Championship-caliber final. (We've got butterflies already.)

Go Terps . . . Beat the Yellow Jackets! Win the ACC Championship!

Photo Credits: DC BasketCases