Saturday's matchup might not feature the mutual hatred of the Duke-North Carolina archrivalry, but to say the Blue Devils and their counterparts from the Old Line State are collegial would be quite a stretch.
But regardless of how No. 2 Duke (18-1, 6-0 in the ACC) and No. 8 Maryland (14-4, 5-1) feel about each other, the two adversaries will tangle in College Park Saturday at 8 p.m., in what could be the most difficult matchup for each team so far this season.
Why does this mutual hatred exist? For starters, the Terrapins have been constantly overshadowed by the most successful program of the 1990s, even as coach Gary Williams has built his program into a national contender. In particular, Duke has recorded 29 wins in its previous 35 contests against Maryland.
And more recently, the Blue Devils have defeated the Terps in seven of their past eight matchups, just as Maryland has started to compete on a higher level than most of the other teams in the ACC. In fact, Maryland's current senior class is winless against the Blue Devils in Cole Field House.
But the enmity does not only exist in College Park-Duke also has a few bones to pick with Maryland. Last year, the Blue Devils were embarrassed at home in Cameron Indoor Stadium by the Terps, and in their most recent visits to Garyland, they have been the victims of a variety of, shall we say, unsportsman-like behavior by the Cole Field House fans.
Clearly, both teams will be hoping to make their mark in this game and to do so, both will come in with a chip on their shoulders.
"Anytime you play a very good team like Duke, you want to make sure that your team plays at the top of its game," Williams said. "Obviously, there are some things that we have to work on that are specific to Duke, but overall, we have to make sure our offenses and defenses are in great shape Saturday."
While the Terrapins have been hot recently-winning three straight games and 13 out of their last 14-the services of their leading scorer Juan Dixon, who torched the Blue Devils last year in Cameron for 31 points, might be limited. Dixon suffered a bruised tailbone in Maryland's victory over N.C. State last weekend, but after a week of rest, is expected to compete Saturday.
But Dixon is hardly Maryland's only weapon. Terence Morris, a sure-fire candidate for All-ACC accolades, has recorded three double-doubles this season, one of which came in his 20-point, 10-rebound performance against the Wolfpack. The Terps have also received consistent contributions from wing men Byron Mouton and Danny Miller, center Lonnie Baxter, crafty point guard Steve Blake and Morris' heir apparent in the frontcourt, sophomore Tahj Holden.
Holden has been especially vital in recent games, exhibiting enormous defensive potential after being out most of the season with a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot. More importantly, Holden's entrance into the game has resulted in little drop-off when he replaces Morris.
Duke, however, will be more than prepared to face Holden and the deep, talented Terrapins, having faced three top-10 teams already this season. And even though Cole Field House is universally known as one of America's most unfriendly venues, the Blue Devils hold a 22-game road win streak in the ACC and have won 52 out of their past 54 ACC contests.
Of course, Duke's current goal is to run the table in the ACC for the second time in three seasons. Going undefeated in a current three-game stretch, which features games against Wake Forest, Maryland and North Carolina would go a long way in reaching this lofty, but clearly attainable goal. Having conquered the first leg of this trifecta Wednesday night against the Demon Deacons, the Blue Devils will look to vanquish the Terrapins in their second leg Saturday.
"We look at Wake as a singular entity and that's the way we'll look at Maryland," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Each week in the ACC is its own individual entity. We look at it game-by-game, especially in a week [like this]. After our game with Maryland, we'll take a day off and then we'll get ready for the two teams we have to play next week."
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