Maryland - Sunday 1/24 @ 8 PM - Comcast Center (FSN)

Kristi Toliver blocks Keturah Jackson

Who's Coming Back: Sophomore C Lynetta Kizer (11 ppg, 7 rpg) was forced to anchor the post for a squad that lost two All-Americans to graduation, and did a more than credible job. Her size, powerful base and overall agility give one the sense that she's only begun to tap her full potential. Sophomore G Kim Rodgers (5 ppg, 2 rpg) came in off of a redshirt year to hit some big time shots, averaging 46% from three. Sophomore PG Anjale Barrett (4 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) was a solid backup who also hit some big shots (47% from three) and did a fine job running the offense. Sophomore C Yemi Oyefuwa (1 ppg, 2 rpg) was a project forced into some significant minutes who had a few bright moments.

Who's New: 5-7 G Dara Taylor, 6-1 G Jackie Nared, 6-7 C Essence Townsend, 6-3 Tianna Hawkins, 6-3 F Diandra Tchatchouang, 5-11 G Lori Bjork.

Maryland Head Coach Brenda Frese

The Skinny on 2010: The Terps have been sailing uncharted waters this year, with three newcomers emerging as some of the team's top scorers. The results have been mixed, including a surprising road loss to Towson, beatdowns at the hands of NC State and Mississippi State, and getting their long home winning streak snapped by Miami. At the same time, the Terps managed to knock off top-25 Virginia and a solid Boston College club. Maryland has quite a bit of talent, but this season has been all about figuring out how it's all going to fit together.

The Terps have some nice size. Kizer has been solid but unspectacular in averaging 12 ppg and 7 rpg. She's had to grow up in a hurry and has faced some growing pains in some games, but there's no question that she's talented and physical. She and Krystal Thomas tangled in AAU play in the past, and Kizer's toughness and low-block scoring will make her a difficult opponent if the Terps can get her into rhythm. Frosh Tianna Hawkins has been up and down this season in terms of scoring but has averaged 10 ppg (on impressive 61% shooting) and 9 rpg. Fellow frosh Diandra Tchatchouang is also 6-3 but is more of a face-up player. She's leading the team in scoring at 13.6 ppg, and is also averaging 6 rpg. She's shooting an impressive 34% from three; Duke must be careful to close out on her when Maryland's guards penetrate. Tchatchouang will be lurking in the corner, waiting for the ball to get kicked out to her.

Rodgers missed a few games with an injury, which didn't help the callow nature of her team, but she's back now and scoring 8 ppg. Transfer guard Lori Bjork's experience has been an enormous boost for Maryland; she's a deadly three point specialist who's shooting 43% from long range and averaging 11 ppg. Point guard has been shared by quick soph Anjale Barrett and frosh Dara Taylor, who both average about 6 ppg. Taylor is the team's best playmaker, leading the ACC at 5.6 apg. She also averages 4 turnovers a game, something that Duke will need to exploit.

Indeed, the Terps average 18 turnovers a game as a team and only force 15 a game. Their size has helped them to a +10 margin on the boards, but they were outrebounded in two of their losses. Any foul trouble tends to put Maryland in a hole, so the Devils should look to attack the basket. Maryland rarely tries anything tricky on defense, so they should have plenty of good looks. Duke must be careful not to fall in love with the jumpshot, because if it doesn't fall, the Terps will likely grab the rebound. Instead, players like Jasmine Thomas and Karima Christmas should look to drive. The guards should also look to set up Krystal Thomas and Joy Cheek for looks inside. Cheek could have a big game if she plays smart. What she shouldn't do is pull up for jumpers; instead, she should settle into the low block and try to exploit a younger opponent.

Patience must be Duke's watchword on the road. The Terps will likely have a huge crowd on hand in an effort to extend their home winning streak against Duke to 3 games in a row. Duke is more experienced and more physical, and they have to make this a defensive battle. The Devils need to force contested jumpers, attack the dribble of Maryland's guards (Keturah Jackson could be a big factor in this game), and use their traps smartly. On offense, they need to take the best shot they can find, because the longer they make the young Terps play defense, the more likely it is they will break down. The last thing Duke wants to do is take a quick shot a few seconds into the shot clock. Duke's at a point in the ACC season where they're playing some important rivalry games. A win in College Park would make Duke's lead in the ACC widen just a bit further. A loss would invigorate Maryland and put them back on track in the ACC race.

The Terps outrebounding Duke