Cal's Call

Last Sunday the Terps played a decent game against an improving Wake Forest team. The Terps fell behind early and went into halftime with a double-digit deficit. So far, after becoming the number two team in the nation, the Terps have been somewhat shaky. In the win over Clemson the Terps played bad until the second half and in the miracle win against Wake, the Terps were barely able to squeak out a victory. The win came in the most unusual of circumstances, Josh Howard made a critical mistake calling a timeout Wake didn't have which resulted in a technical foul, leaving Juan Dixon to shoot two free throws for the win with 1.3 seconds left to go in the game.

As the number two-ranked team in the nation, the Terps should not have to squeak by any team but Kansas. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Terps and I don't plan to change anytime soon, but even though the ESPN analysts say the Terps are number two, they're playing like number three. With Duke and Kansas still dominating, the Terps are still only the third best. Maryland has proven to the nation that they can beat Duke, but can they do it when it matters, now that's the question. Last year Duke one 3 out of the 4 games including the big one to go to the National Championship game. The Terps winning one of the two regular season meetings probably doesn't phase Duke's mission for the championship.

The Terps cannot afford to lose a game this late in the season. Right now they're in sole possession of first in the ACC with Duke biting at their heels. With two more conference games left against inconsistent Florida State and the disappointing Virginia team the Terps should have a moonlit walk on the beach to the ACC Championship. Go Terps! .