Can the Maryland Terrapins Stop North Carolina's Winning Streak?

The third ranked Tar Heels of North Carolina travel to College Park to face the opportunistic Maryland Terrapins. Earlier this season, UNC scored 108 points in a 17-point win over the Terps in Chapel Hill. North Carolina has won 10 in a row after starting the ACC season 0-2.

Records

North Carolina 24-2, 10-2, 7-1 (away), RPI #3
Maryland 16-9, 5-6, 13-2 (home), RPI #61

Series

UNC has won 7 of the last 10
Maryland has won 3 of the last 5 at home

Players to Watch

UNC
Tyler Hansbrough 21.4ppg, Ty Lawson 15.9ppg, Wayne Ellington 15.1ppg

Maryland
Greivis Vasquez 16ppg, Landon Milbourne 13ppg, Adrian Bowie 9.8ppg

What UNC Must Do To Win...

Play some semblance of defense. Even though the Heels scored 108 against Maryland they also gave up 91. If they give up that many points again I think they will lose this game.

Roy Williams style of offense makes it hard some times to play 40 minutes of good defense, but UNC will at least have to play 20 minutes of it to win this game. UNC hit 16 threes in just 25 attempts in the previous win this season.

It would be nice to shoot that well again.

What Maryland Must Do To Win...

Slow the tempo down. The Terps have to try their best to make this a half court game and be efficient on offense. The execution of the offense will fall on the lap of the outspoken Vasquez who is the heart and soul of this Maryland team.

The Terps have to get back fast on defense and prevent any easy buckets or open shots for the Tar Heels. Easier said than done though. It would be nice to get Hansbrough in foul trouble too.

Prediction

If UNC plays defense well in this game then Maryland doesn't have a shot, but the Tar Heels haven't done that for 40 minutes all year. I think Maryland keeps this one close until North Carolina overcomes them late with an offensive barrage that includes five starters averaging in double figures.

North Carolina wins by 7-15 points

Season: 17-14 SU through 2/20

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