Cliff Tucker

Not since Drew Nicholas beat UNC Wilmington in 2003 had a Maryland Terrapin hit a buzzer-beating shot of the sort that Cliff Tucker rained down on Georgia Tech on Saturday before a frenzied sellout crowd at Comcast Center. Tucker's heroics might not have come in the NCAA tournament as Nicholas' did, but the junior guard's corner jumper carried its own set of circumstances that made it an instant classic. Tucker's 3-pointer - the buzzer sounded while the shot was in the air - beat Georgia Tech, 76-74, to keep Maryland undefeated (6-0)

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- First, it was Greivis Vasquez and Sean Mosley who found themselves sprawled on the Conte Forum floor after reaching for a loose ball. A few moments later - thud - Mosley hit the floor again. Then again. Maryland spent much of its Saturday afternoon trapping and pressing and diving onto the hardwood to create turnovers en route to a 73-57 victory over a Boston College team that always seemed to be a step behind the energized Terps. How scrappy were the Terps?

- First, it was Greivis Vasquez and Sean Mosley who found themselves sprawled on the Conte Forum floor after reaching for a loose ball. A few moments later - thud - Mosley hit the floor again. Then again. Maryland spent much of its Saturday afternoon trapping and pressing and diving onto the hardwood to create turnovers en route to a 73-57 victory over a Boston College team that always seemed to be a step behind the energized Terps. How scrappy were the Terps? Forward Landon Milbourne was called for grabbing a Boston College player's shorts with the Eagles on a fast break in the first half.

COLLEGE PARK - - After nine weeks of nonleague play, the Maryland Terrapins craved the higher stakes and fan excitement of the opening of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule. As Maryland raced to a 16-point lead against No. 18 Florida State, it was as if the Terps saved two months of pent-up energy for Sunday night. Led by senior guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes, the Terps (10-4, 1-0 ACC) played their most energized half of the season, then weathered a pair of comeback attempts by Florida State for a 77-68 victory.

COLLEGE PARK - - It was Maryland's first game since a nine-day layoff for final exams, and Gary Williams looked edgier than usual. The Maryland coach had noticed that Georgetown, Florida and Tennessee had all lost recently (to Old Dominion, Richmond and Southern California, respectively) during a period when many teams' schedules are interrupted by finals. Might his Terps (7-3) be rusty enough to have to worry about being challenged by Winston-Salem State? Williams' concerns seemed warranted only during a first half in which Maryland was largely invisible inside.

- It was Maryland's first game since a nine-day layoff for final exams, and Gary Williams looked edgier than usual. The Maryland coach had noticed that Georgetown, Florida and Tennessee had all lost recently (to Old Dominion, Richmond and Southern California, respectively) during a period when many teams' schedules are interrupted by finals. Might his Terps (7-3) be rusty enough to have to worry about being challenged by Winston-Salem State? Williams' concerns seemed warranted only during a first half in which Maryland was largely invisible inside.

LAHAINA, Hawaii - -At worst, Maryland's full-court press serves as a life preserver, an effective means of evening the playing field on a night when its opponents hold critical advantages. At best, it is a tool capable of causing a foe to self-destruct. Against a Cincinnati squad fortified with an abundance of physical, athletic weapons, the Terrapins' press fell into the former category - prolonging No. 21 Maryland's hopes for as long as it could, but eventually succumbing to circumstances out of its control.

COLLEGE PARK -- Gary Williams was in midseason form: stomping and swearing and sweating through his designer suit. This was the other night at the Comcast Center, the Maryland Terrapins running away with a 71-42 win over Fairfield and their coach working the sideline like a man with his hair on fire. Here's my favorite Gary pose: hands forlornly clasped over his head, rumpled white shirt spilling out of his pants, staring in disbelief at ... well, it could be anything. A questionable call by the refs.