Maryland Looking Forward to Rematch, Maybe Revenge, Against Wake Forest

ATLANTA - The Maryland Terrapins kept their bubble chances alive with a win over NC State in the first round of the ACC tournament.

They played well, but they played NC State.

This win isn't going to convince the NCAA tournament committee to give them a bid, but a win against Wake Forest tomorrow would be a different story.

Maybe that's why the Terrapins were so eager to talk about their chance to play the Demon Deacons for a second time this season, securing a bid in the field of 65 and getting a little revenge along the way.

"We're on a mission," said Greivis Vasquez. "We knew if we won the game we were going to have a chance to play Wake Forest.  We're happy but we're not satisfied."

The only thing that will satisfy Maryland, it seems, is another crack at Jeff Teague and co. tomorrow night.

While many (if not most) teams would rather not face Wake Forest early in the conference tournament, the Terrapins are looking forward to the matchup.  Why exactly?

It's a simple case of payback.

The last time the two teams played was just a little over a week ago at Maryland, on Maryland's last home game of the season, and on senior night just to boot.  

Maryland lost by two points.

Dave Neal, Maryland's lone senior, isn't shy about the impact that loss has going into tomorrow's game.

"Whenever someone beats you on your senior night, on your last home court of the season, it's not a good feeling, " Neal said.  "It's been stuck in my mind since it happened, and I'm pretty sure if we can win this game tomorrow, I'll be able to erase it from my memory."

Erasing a bad memory is always a good thing.

Erasing a bad memory while securing a bid in the NCAA tournament is even better.

"Winning tomorrow pretty much guarantees us a spot in the NCAA tournament, and that means a lot more to me than winning our last home game of the season," said Neal.  "People are going to remember whether or not we made into the NCAA tournament, not whether or not we won on senior night."

The Terrapins have their work cut out for them.

Wake Forest has a clear size advantage, which is a big reason why they out-rebounded the Terrapins 50-32 on March 3rd.  They are clearly the more athletic team, and in terms of talent, they are clearly the favored team.

But Maryland doesn't care.  They have experience beating favored teams—just ask probable No. 1 seeds Michigan State and North Carolina.  The Terrapins beat the Spartans by nearly 20 points in November on the road, and they overcame a 16-point deficit to beat North Carolina in overtime in late February.

Maryland has shown that they can beat some of the best teams in the country when they are on, which is a good thing because Wake Forest is one of the best teams in country.

And while Maryland may not have size and lottery pick talent, they do have a chance to extend their season and get a little revenge, and they are glad that chance comes against Wake Forest.