* A learning curve. Maryland played better defense the second time around against North Carolina, particularly around the perimeter. North Carolina shot 38 percent and made five of 19 three-point attempts Saturday, compared with 51 percent and 16 of 25 in the first meeting.
* Revenge. Williams wasn't talking about retribution during his media availability yesterday, but the players sure were.
Dave Neal used "revenge" in his comments, and Vasquez talked about needing "payback" for "a horrible game at their place."
Both players referred to the "41-point" loss in a way that suggested the number will forever remain in their heads.
It would be hard to overstate how embarrassing the defeat was. The Cameron Crazies, always adept at hitting opponents where it hurts most, chanted "Not our rivals" at the Terps and "Sweat, Gary, sweat" at Williams. Duke led 40-15 after a first half in which Maryland, one of the nation's best free-throw shooting teams, didn't attempt a foul shot.
"The biggest thing I remember is just how Duke completely took us out of our offense," Neal said yesterday. "We watched ...maybe two or three minutes [of the blowout loss] yesterday before practice. Coach Williams kind of used it as a teaching tool to say: 'There are about two or three things we need to change and I think that game would have been totally different.' We let Duke overplay us and we didn't stay composed."
Then Neal mentioned what might be the biggest factor of all in revenge games - home-court advantage.
"It's just going to be out of this world [at Comcast Center]," the senior said. "People don't hate UNC around here, but when Duke comes in here, there is a big hatred of Duke in the state of Maryland."
NO. 7 DUKE (22-5, 8-4) @ MARYLAND (17-9, 6-6) Tonight, 9 TV: ESPN Radio: 1300 AM, 105.7 FM Line: Duke by 4 1/2
BOUNCING BACK
Gary Williams' teams have often rebounded from double-digit losses. Some examples:
108 - 91 -- Feb. 3, 2009, vs. UNC * Next meeting: Won, 88-85 (OT) on Feb. 21, 2009
98 - 84 -- Jan. 3, 1996, at Georgia Tech
* Next meeting: Won, 88-74,
on Feb. 3, 1996
94 - 80 -- Dec. 29, 1993, vs. UMass
* Next meeting: Won, 95-87,
in NCAA tournament
on March 19, 1994
75 - 63 -- Jan. 27, 2000, vs. UNC
* Next meeting: Won, 81-73,
on Feb. 26, 2000
80 - 70 -- Jan. 9, 2000, vs.Duke
* Next meeting: Won, 98-87,
on Feb. 9, 2000
TONIGHT'S GAME
What to watch for
Duke overplayed Greivis Vasquez in the team's last meeting and held him to four points. How will the Terrapins adjust if the Blue Devils again bring their defense out to the perimeter to stop Maryland's leading scorer?
Key matchup
Vasquez vs. Gerald Henderson or other Blue Devils. Vasquez and Henderson are both coming off 35-point games.
What it means
Maryland upset North Carolina on Saturday, but the Terps still don't have a lock on an NCAA tournament bid and need to continue to boost their credentials.
Jeff Barker
