GAME NOTES: ACC play resumes in Blacksburg today, as the Maryland Terrapins tangle with the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. The Terps enter the tilt on a high note, as they posted a convincing victory over Holy Cross, 73-48, on Tuesday. It was the fourth win in a row for Maryland, which improved to 10-6 overall and 9-3 at home. The Terps now turn their focus back to ACC play, where they lost their only outing to Boston College (81-78) back on December 9th. As for Virginia Tech, it also captured a win its most recent outing, defeating Charleston Southern by a 79-49 score on Monday. The win was the team's third in four games, as it improved to 9-6 overall and 6-0 at home. Much like Maryland, the Hokies lost their only ACC game thus far, falling at Wake Forest (77-75) on December 23rd. As for the all-time series, Maryland holds a 25-6 lead over Virginia Tech and it has won eight of the past 10 encounters.

The Terps are averaging 71.9 ppg on 44.3 percent shooting from the floor this season and they are limiting their opponents to just 64.1 ppg and a sub par 36.6 percent shooting overall. Greivis Vasquez is one of the most versatile player in the ACC and he leads Maryland in scoring (16.9 ppg) and assists (6.1 apg), to go along with 5.2 rpg. James Gist is a legitimate presence in the frontcourt and he puts forth 14.6 ppg and a team-best 7.7 rpg. Eric Hayes turns in 11.0 ppg and a solid 5.4 apg for the Terps, while Bambale Osby contributes 10.4 ppg and 5.8 rpg. In the team's last game, Gist poured in 22 points and ripped down nine caroms in leading Maryland to an easy win over Holy Cross. Vasquez also got involved, turning in an all-around effort that consisted of 17 points, six rebounds and six assists. The Terps hit on 50.0 percent of their field goal tries, while holding Holy Cross to a dismal 27.1 percent shooting effort from the floor.

The Hokies have really clamped down on their opponents this season, holding them to a mere 58.5 ppg and a lackluster 38.7 percent shooting from the field. The team has also done a respectable job on the boards, outrebounding its foes by 4.7 rpg. Offensively, Virginia Tech is led by A.D. Vassallo, who is netting 15.7 ppg on the strength of 40.2 percent shooting from three-point range. Deron Washington and Jeff Allen are tied for second at 12.6 ppg and they are combining for 14.4 rpg. In the squad's previous outing, Vassallo tallied 21 points and grabbed five caroms, as the Hokies cruised past Charleston Southern. Allen notched a double-double with 10 points and the same amount of rebounds, while Washington also posted 10 points. Virginia Tech won the battle on the boards, 39-34, and it limited Charleston Southern to just 32.2 percent of its total shots.

Behind a solid performance on defense as well as the boards, the Hokies should be able to remain perfect at home with a win over Maryland today.