Dez Wells had a career night as the Maryland Terrapins upset the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils, 83-74, to advance to the semifinals of the ACC tournament.
Wells scored a career-high 30 points despite suffering what initially looked to be a serious knee injury. However, he was able to return to the game and looked very close to 100 percent as he helped to finish off the Blue Devils. Wells scored in every way imaginable, knocking down outside shots, attacking the basket and finishing 10 of 10 at the free throw line.
Maryland jumped out to a 12-2 lead and never trailed in the game. After taking an eight-point lead into halftime, Maryland withstood several Duke runs that cut the lead to just one. Every time Duke made a push, the Terps found a way to get defensive stops and then execute on the offensive end.
It was by far the best game Maryland has played all season long. There were times when the Terps looked like the same sloppy, inconsistent team that has frustrated Mark Turgeon all season long, but they were few and far between. Instead, it was as if a light bulb suddenly went on and the entire team suddenly valued the basketball and found a chemistry with one another.
Nearly every regular contributed in some way or another, with only James Padgett and Logan Aronhalt failing to make an impact. Seeing so many underclassmen play well in a pressure-filled environment had to really please Turgeon, who has been exasperated with his team during much of ACC play.
Maryland will face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels, a team that has already beaten them twice this season, with a trip to the finals of the ACC tournament on the line. With the win, the Terps put themselves right back in the NCAA tournament conversation, though would likely need at least one more win to have hope come Selection Sunday.
The Terps will have their hands full with the Tar Heels, one of the few teams in the ACC that can match their speed and athleticism. Maryland will have the height advantage, but will they be able to take advantage of it? They were unable to do so in the most recent meeting between the two teams in College Park, but on St. Patrick's Day weekend, could the third time be the charm?
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