Maryland vs. North Carolina: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

Following a big victory in the opening round of the ACC tournament, the Maryland Terrapins will face a much tougher task in the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The Terps limped to the finish line in the regular season, with three straight losses all but ending their NCAA tournament hopes. They got back on track with a dominating performance against Wake Forest on Thursday afternoon.

The Tar Heels have been resting comfortably after their destruction of Duke in the final game of the regular season. They entered the season as the favorites to win the ACC and have done nothing to change that perception as the tournament begins.

Where: Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga.

When: Friday, March 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN 2

Live Streaming: WatchESPN.com

Betting Line: TBA

Key Injuries (Courtesy of Chicago Tribune)

Maryland

Out: G Pe'Shon Howard (Knee)

North Carolina

Out: G Dexter Strickland (Knee), G Leslie McDonald (Knee)

What's at Stake?

For Maryland, any chance this team has to get in the NCAA tournament is on the line in this game. The Terrapins have to win the ACC to earn an automatic bid; otherwise they are going to the NIT. All things considered, that would not be the worst scenario.

North Carolina is just jockeying for position in the tournament. As things stand, the Tar Heels are a No. 1 seed. A loss to a middle-of-the-road ACC team could push them down the bracket, depending on what happens with other teams around them.

What They Are Saying

North Carolina has had problems this season with its shooting and defending the three-point shot. While the offense is strong enough to overcome bad shot selection, the defense has to clamp down in March to ensure this team plays up to its full potential.

Head coach Roy Williams was quoted in the Charlotte Observer as saying that he has an idea why his team is giving up so many shots beyond the arc:

"

I think it's a combination (of reasons). People aren't going to drive in there and try to shoot many floaters over John Henson, so they have to score. We've been ahead in a lot of games, so they have to shoot more threes later.

When teams are the underdog, and some teams - the majority of teams have been underdogs against us - what is the equalizer in basketball? It's the three-point shot.

"

When the Tar Heels are hitting shots, like they did against Duke, it is impossible for anyone to keep up with them, even with the three-point shot.

Most Important Player to Watch: North Carolina F Tyler Zeller

When North Carolina is on top of its game, Zeller is dominating. He has to set the tone for the rest of the offense early. He bangs down low as well as any forward/center in the country, which makes everyone around him better.

The most underrated aspect of his game is defense. He doesn't have a lot of blocks like Kentucky's Anthony Davis, but teams don't ever test him in the middle because he is such a strong, physical player.

Key Matchup: Maryland shooters vs. North Carolina defense

On talent alone, there is no reason to think that Maryland can compete with North Carolina. But the three-point shot has become the great equalizer in college basketball.

The Terrapins are not a good shooting team, though they do have some players who have proven quite adept at putting the ball in the basket. Chief among them is Terrell Stoglin, who carried the team with 25 points against Wake Forest. He shot 38 percent from beyond the arc this year.

The Tar Heels know they must put bodies on Stoglin to make sure they walk out of this game with a victory.

Prediction

The Tar Heels are far too strong for the Terps.

North Carolina 85, Maryland 71

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