The Maryland Terps have opened up the eyes of their own fans this season with very impressive play. However, it has taken them until the first week in March to become, somewhat, relevant to the rest of the nation as they've cracked the top 25.

 

Tonight, on ESPN, the Terps have a chance to REALLY become relevant on the national level as the Duke Blue Devils come to College Park, Maryland for a showdown that could decide the ACC regular-season title, and seeding for the NCAA Tournament.

 

We've talked about Greivis Vasquez all season, but now it's time for the senior to lead his team against the dreaded Blue Devils. The Terps have lost six consecutive games to Duke.

 

It's Senior Night, and the Comcast Center will be rocking. The problem is, Duke has given Maryland some of it's more memorable, or less memorable, beat-downs of the past two seasons. If this turns out to be one of those games, Wednesday could prove to be a very long night.

 

Enough with the doom and gloom. The Terps have been playing great basketball, and Vasquez is on a mission. This is not about just playing well tonight. This is about beating Duke. Maryland is not interested in moral victories, they want wins. Trust me, Greivis Vasquez wants to be the ACC's player of the year, and this game could win it for him.

 

Tonight, Maryland versus Duke. It's more than hype, it's THE most important game of the regular season for the Terps.

 

Rob Long