Maryland 71, Virginia 70
By Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 6, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, March 5 -- Confetti fell inside University Hall as Virginia players crossed paths with Maryland's Nik Caner-Medley on their way to the locker room. Judging by facial expressions, it was difficult to tell who had just taken part in the postgame festivities.
The Cavaliers were visibly dejected after Sunday's 71-70 defeat in the final regular season game at University Hall, which was attended by 90 former players. And the Terrapins had reason to rejoice even though they nearly lost a game in which they led by 18 points in the second half.
When Virginia's J.R. Reynolds missed a desperation three-point attempt and the buzzer sounded, Caner-Medley held out the top of his jersey and charged toward the student section. Someone threw an orange at him, but missed.
"Enjoying the moment," Caner-Medley said. "To get a win this time of year when we needed it, it didn't matter where we were. We could have been in the YMCA, and I would have reacted the same way."
The Terps' dressing room was as boisterous as it has been all season. They have renewed life after winning just their second road game of the season to finish 8-8 in the ACC and claim the No. 6 seed in the ACC tournament.
Maryland (18-11) will play 11th-seeded Georgia Tech on Thursday in the first round of the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Should the Terps win, they would play third-seeded Boston College. Maryland is 3-0 against Georgia Tech and Boston College this season.
When asked what finishing 8-8 meant to him, Maryland Coach Gary Williams said: "Historically? NCAA tournament. With everything going on, the political nature of things, you have to work hard in the ACC tournament. I don't think you can get away with a poor showing."
Only six teams in the ACC that finished at least .500 in the past 25 years did not make the NCAA tournament. But because Maryland has only two victories against what the selection committee deems quality opponents -- Boston College and Arkansas -- the Terps probably need to win at least two games in the ACC tournament to have a realistic chance to receive an at-large berth.
That scenario seems more feasible now that the Terps are playing better defensively. For the second consecutive game, Maryland made key stops down the stretch of a close game to preserve victory. On Sunday, James Gist blocked a shot, and Maryland forced a five-second violation on an inbounds play in the final minute.
On Virginia's final possession, Maryland extended its defense to try to make Reynolds, who was the only Cavalier in double figures with 30 points, and Sean Singletary give up the ball. Virginia Coach Dave Leitao said Maryland's defense forced Virginia to use too much time. The best shot the Cavaliers got was a contested three-point attempt with two seconds remaining.
Caner-Medley, who scored 16 points and overcame early foul trouble, said he was more vocal than he has been this season. Before the final possession, he told teammates: "One possession with the season on the line. Are we going to respond?"
They did, and now they enter the ACC tournament with the same seed they had in 2004, when many of the same players won the tournament. "It reminds me of my sophomore year a lot," Caner-Medley said. "It's almost exactly the same."
Neither team scored in the final 1 minute 13 seconds, after Maryland's Mike Jones made an open three-pointer. Leitao said there was brief miscommunication on defense.
"Mike is amazing," Williams said. "I only get mad at him about 15 times in the game. That's the sign that he can be a great shooter, because he has no conscience."
Leitao acknowledged that the buildup for the final game at U-Hall may have been too much for his players. Virginia (14-13, 7-9) has been among the biggest surprises in the ACC, but the Cavaliers have struggled mightily lately, losing their last three games. The seventh-seeded Cavaliers now will play 10th-seeded Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament.
After Sunday's game, Leitao told a crowd filled with former Cavaliers greats such as Ralph Sampson, "I wanted to win for you and for our players more than anything I've ever wanted in my life."
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