ACC Tournament 2012 Scores: Maryland Tops Wake Forest En Route to UNC
Maryland will take on top-seeded North Carolina in the quarterfinal of the ACC tournament Friday after a convincing 82-60 win over Wake Forest on Thursday afternoon.
After taking just a five-point lead into the half, Maryland went on a 20-4 second-half run that helped put the Demon Deacons away.
Sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin led the Terrapins with 25 points and also led the team in rebounds (7) and tied for the team lead in assists (4).
The Terrapins will face one of their toughest tests of the season against the No. 3-ranked Tar Heels, who beat Maryland twice this season, including a 24-point beat-down on February 29.
Stoglin, who led the ACC in scoring this season with a 21.2 points-per-game average, will have to be spectacular once again for Maryland to have a chance against a much better North Carolina team.
The key for Maryland in this quarterfinal matchup will be to hold their own in the paint defensively and compete in the rebounding category.
The Terrapins have a tremendous disadvantage against UNC's towering frontcourt. Forwards Harrison Barnes and John Henson, along with center Tyler Zeller, will dominate inside unless the Terrapins work hard to box them out.
Against the Tar Heels, Stoglin cannot win the game for Maryland by himself like he did against the Demon Deacons. The Maryland big men must play well if the Terrapins are going to have any shot at an upset.
With a 17-14 record, Maryland's only chance to earn a berth into the NCAA tournament is to win the ACC tournament. This challenge continues on Friday against arguably the best team in America.
