No. 2 Maryland (27-5) vs. No. 10 Creighton (22-8)
What: Second round, NCAA tournament South Regional
Where: Orlando (Fla.) Arena
When: 2: 40 p.m.
TV/Radio: Chs. 13, 9/WBAL (1090 AM), WJFK (1300 AM)
How they got here: The best regular-season record in its history made Maryland the second seed in the South. The Terps handled No. 15 seed Valparaiso, 82-60, in Thursday's first round. Creighton won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and an automatic bid, and came back from a 13-point deficit to upset No. 7 seed Louisville in its NCAA opener.
Conference records: Maryland went 13-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Creighton was 11-7 in the MVC.
Rankings: Maryland is No. 5 in both polls. Creighton is unranked.
Coaches: Gary Williams is 191-117 in 10 seasons at Maryland, 398-245 in 21 seasons overall. Dana Altman is 76-67 in five seasons at Creighton, 159-134 in 10 seasons overall.
NCAA tournament records: Making its 16th appearance, Maryland is 20-15. The Terps reached regional finals in 1973 and '75, and regional semifinals six other times, most recently last season. Creighton is in the tournament for the 10th time, and has a 9-10 all-time record. The Bluejays went to the West Region final in 1941, and haven't been to the Sweet 16 since 1974. In the only meeting between the two programs, Maryland beat Creighton in the first round of the 1975 tournament.
Key matchups: The Bluejays have no one who can stick with Steve Francis, as Ben Walker is in over his head against the second-team All-American. Terrell Stokes quietly keeps neutralizing the opponent's point guard, and his experience is a plus against sophomore Ryan Sears. Terence Morris is superior to whomever Creighton plays at the four spot, Donnie Johnson or Nerijus Karlikanovas.
What Maryland has to do to win: The Terps must continue to assert their will in the form of the defensive pressure that has served them so well. They are coming off one of their best passing games of the season, and it would help if Lonny Baxter can get through the first half with just one foul.
What Creighton has to do to win: The Bluejays (77.0 points per game) like to run, but they are a flexible bunch, and Altman might want to slow the pace. If Creighton goes zone, it will rotate quicker than did Valparaiso. The Bluejays want to get Baxter in foul trouble and get in a free-throw shooting contest.
Bottom line: Maryland has done a superb job of being ready to play this season, with only a few slips. Francis' ability to break down an opponent off the dribble is becoming more potent, and vital.
Pub Date: 3/13/99