Maryland's success in tying for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball standings means not only bragging rights for the Terps and their fans, but also a lucrative bonus for coach Gary Williams and smaller bonuses for his assistants.

Williams' contract calls for him to receive $318,000 "if the men's basketball team finishes the regular season in a two-way tie for first place in the ACC men's basketball standings."

The 19th-ranked Terrapins finished tied with No. 4 Duke at 13-3.

The bonus figure was originally set in Williams' contract at $262,000. But the document stipulates that the amount be increased by 5 percent every year beginning in 2006. Those additions, when compounded, total about $318,000.

Williams would get more - $382,000 - if the Terps go on to win the ACC tournament, in which Maryland begins play Friday night.

The figures were confirmed by the university. The sums appear under a section of the contract called "competition bonuses."

Williams' contract, amended a number of times and currently due to run into 2013, has been said by the university to be worth more than $2 million if he meets all academic and athletic incentives.

Assistant coaches Keith Booth, Robert Ehsan and Chuck Driesell are each due $10,000 for Maryland's regular-season finish.

They would get an additional $15,000 if Maryland qualifies, as expected, for the NCAA tournament and additional sums depending on the team's success beyond that.