Line of the Day

Tonight's honor goes to Episcopal Academy grad Gerald Henderson for leading Duke to a hard-fought 78-67 win at Maryland.

I'm usually at the front of the line when it comes to criticizing the hype the Blue Devils get from the national media, but tonight I have to tip my hat to them. The Comcast Center (what do you mean, there's more than one of them?) was at its roaring best tonight and Maryland came onto the floor fresh off an electrifying comeback win over North Carolina on Saturday.

But the Blue Devils took the Terrapins' best punch - and their hardest screen, as you've probably seen by now - and pulled away late for the win. Henderson played a major role at both ends of the floor.

It's also worth noting that Haddonfield native Brian Zoubek had a couple big baskets and rebounds in the paint. He'd have had one more if he could have hit the putback as time expired at halftime, but it wouldn't go down.

As for Maryland, a win tonight would surely have booked a trip to the NCAA Tournament for Gary Williams' team. The question now is whether they'll bring the same intensity they've showed the last two games when they travel to N.C. State on Sunday. If the Terrapins get over that hurdle, they'll have another chance to make a big statement when Wake Forest comes to College Park on Tuesday.

For tonight, though, the spotlight is on Henderson.