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What: No. 16/17 Virginia Cavaliers (19-5, 10-1 ACC) vs. Maryland Terrapins (14-10, 6-5 ACC)
Time: 9:00 p.m. THANKS OBAMA
Place: John Paul Jones Arena
TV: ESPN U, WatchESPN.com
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network
Last Meeting: UVA 61, Maryland 58 (OT) (March 10, 2013)
Odds: Vegas: UVA -11 | KenPom: UVA 70, UMD 59 (89%)
We all know how I feel about tonight. Terrified. Not of Maryland, but of ourselves. As Caroline had previously put it, Maryland pretty much needs to play a perfect game in order to top the Hoos tonight. Or, Virginia could make it easy by falling asleep at the wheel.
Hopefully neither will happen.
Neither team is particularly proficient at shooting free throws, which bodes well for what Virginia fans have been used to. While Maryland has a slightly better offensive efficiency (110.4) than Virginia (109.5), the Hoos of course bring the pain on defense. Maryland also has a tendency to give up threes on defense, which is good for a Virginia squad who can, on a great night, really light it up from downtown. We're talking NBA Jam style. He's on fiiiiiire!
I digress. UVA has beaten Maryland seven straight times now, but that doesn't really mean much when Maryland is on their farewell tour looking to upset the Hoos. The Terps are coming off a big 12-point win Saturday against Florida State, a team ranked 31 by KenPom.
On paper, Virginia should easily dispatch Maryland tonight. But as all long-time Virginia fans know, nothing is ever as easy at it seems.
Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts here and as always, Go HOOS!
