GAME NOTES: The Maryland Terrapins of the ACC and the Charlotte 49ers of the Atlantic 10 will meet at Bobcat Arena this afternoon. Maryland has won its last two games to move to 8-6 overall, a rather disappointing start for a program that expects excellence. The Terps knocked off Savannah State on Wednesday by a 75-48 final, but losses to the likes of American University and Ohio University suggest that the club could be in for trouble against tough ACC competition. As for Charlotte, it has put together back-to-back victories, including a 65-59 decision over Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. The 49ers, who are 8-4 overall, have won all seven of their home games, an obvious reason for optimism heading into today's clash. This game marks the first-ever meeting between Charlotte and Maryland on the hardwood.

Against Savannah State earlier this week, Maryland played tremendous defense, forcing 24 turnovers and limiting its overmatched opponent to 32.6 percent shooting from the field. The Terps played well in many aspects of the game, but it is important to keep in mind the weak level of competition they were facing. James Gist, Bambale Osby and Greivis Vasquez netted 13 points apiece for Maryland, and Eric Hayes tallied 12 points. Both Hayes and Vasquez dished out six assists to fuel the Terps, and Vasquez leads the team through 14 games with 16.4 ppg and 6.1 apg. Gist checks in with 13.2 ppg and 7.4 rpg, while Hayes is contributing 11.3 ppg and 5.4 apg. Bambale Osby rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.9 ppg. Maryland is averaging 71.5 ppg while allowing only 64.7 ppg to the opposition on 37.4 percent shooting from the floor.

Leemire Goldwire continues to pace Charlotte at the offensive end of the court, as he is scoring 19.5 ppg despite his lowly 38 percent shooting from the field. There are no other double-digit scorers in the lineup for the 49ers, who are averaging 69.2 ppg on 38.9 percent overall shooting. Fortunately, they have managed to limit opponents to 64.5 ppg on 39.7 percent shooting efficiency. Freshman An'Juan Wilderness was impressive in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson last time out, as he scored 17 points to go along with three steals and six assists. Goldwire managed 11 points in that clash, but his 4-of-17 effort from the field left much to be desired. The 49ers won despite connecting on a mere 32.3 percent of their total shots.

Maryland is the pick in this contest, as the Terps are too talented to play mediocre basketball for long.