Today was a test for the Maryland Terrapins who fought hard against a rival conference opponent, though fell short against the elite Duke Blue Devils. Several teams have come extra close to knocking off Duke (besides Georgetown). Shelden Williams and J.J. Redick continue impress and expand their game. They're the heart and soul of the team. Without them Duke wouldn't be ranked at the top in the country.
Duke hands Maryland their 8th loss of the season while improving to 23-1. Duke is 18-0 in conference play. The positive highlight for Maryland was Nick Caner-Medley, who scored 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting and grabbed 8 boards. On the flip side, Williams contributed 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks and Redick added 35 points (4-10 3P-A). Maryland's top performers had an off-game. That happens sometimes when least expected. However, when you're facing Duke it really hurts a team, even at home.
Moving closer to March there has got to be an ACC team that can beat Duke. If teams can penetrate a weakness: foul trouble on Williams, inconsistent free-throw shooting from bench players, put tremendous pressure on the ball in the front court and force turnovers they stand a good chance. Otherwise, if they fail to stay in Redick's face, smothering him on defense or allow him too many picks for open threes they're doomed. I'd like to see either Georgia Tech, Boston College, or UNC pull of a victory against the Blue Devils. It's only a matter of time before a determined group does.
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