Keys to the game

Quickness and guard play. VCU's guards moved too quickly for Maryland's zone defense and shot too well.

Did you notice that ...

Freshman Braxton Dupree started but was pulled early. He started the second half and finished with three points. ... Maryland's other freshmen asserted themselves early. Adrian Bowie, Cliff Tucker and Jerome Burney began the game hitting four of their first five shots as a group.

Left to ponder

Eric Hayes, who had a career-high 18 points against Illinois last week, missed his only two shots of the first half and didn't hit his only field goal - it was a three - until about six minutes into the second half.