The Maryland Terrapins received a big effort from Alen Len and held off a late Duke rally to knock off the No. 2 team in the country, 83-81.
Len finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks and thoroughly outplayed Mason Plumlee, who had just 4 points and 3 rebounds.
Seth Curry kept the Blue Devils in the game, finishing with 25 points in one of his best performances of the season. Curry missed just six shots, most of them in the second half.
Maryland outrebounded Duke 38-17, which was the only way they could overcome their 26 turnovers. The Terps made a lot of silly, careless mistakes with the ball, a problem that has haunted them throughout ACC play.
If Maryland could just find a way to eliminate all of the dumb turnovers, it's likely they would roll into the NCAA tournament. The lack of a true point guard is a big problem, but so is the way many of the players panic with the ball in their hands.
Heading into the game, there was little Maryland could do to get back into the NCAA tournament conversation other than to win the ACC tournament or beat Duke. By beating the Blue Devils, the Terps now have a chance to play themselves back into the Big Dance.
It won't be easy, however. Maryland has six remaining ACC games, four of which are on the road. They could really help themselves by beating North Carolina at the Comcast Center. Tough road games remain, including a trip to Virginia, which just beat the Terps.
The Terps must now quickly regroup and focus on a difficult trip Tuesday night to take on Boston College. It's the kind of game the immature Terps might have trouble getting prepared for coming off such an emotional win, but it's a victory they have to get if they want to make the NCAA tournament.
This game also had some added importance because it was very likely the last time that Duke will ever travel to the Comcast Center. Next year will be Maryland's last in the ACC, and it's unlikely the conference will do them any favors when it comes to the schedule.
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