It's games like this that make college basketball in March special. At first glance, Maryland shouldn't be able to compete with Duke, but Gary Williams' club never seems to quit, particularly at tournament time. Maryland played well enough in this one to garner an upset, but had no answer for Duke's Kyle Singler and finally succumbed to the more talented Blue Devils 87-71. Singler recorded the nice stat line of 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Maryland is going to be left to wonder what might have been as they were just 15-28 from the free throw line. Jordan Williams scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds but was just 2-10 from the free throw line. The Blue Devil defense held Maryland scoreless for six minutes in the second half which ultimately did in the Terrapins.
Duke guard and ACC Player of the Year Nolan Smith suffered a foot injury with about seven minutes to go in the game. Smith walked to the bench very gingerly and did not return to the game.
The Blue Devils advance to the semifinals where they will take on the winner of the Florida State-Virginia Tech match-up.
Updated ACC tournament bracket (all times EST):
Thursday, March 10 - First Round
No. 9 Miami def. No. 8 Virginia Cavaliers, 69-62
No. 5 Boston College def. No. 12 Wake Forest, 81-67
No. 7 Maryland def. No. 10 NC State, 75-67
No. 6 Virginia Tech def. No. 11 Georgia Tech, 59-43
Friday, March 11 - Quarterfinals
No. 1 North Carolina def. Miami, 61-59
No. 4 Clemson def. Boston College, 70-47
No. 2 Duke vs. Maryland, 87-71
No. 3 Florida State vs. Virginia Tech, 9 p.m., ACC Network/ESPN2
Saturday, March 12 - Semifinals
UNC vs. Clemson, ACC Network/ESPN
Duke vs. Virginia Tech or Florida State, 3 p.m., ACC Network/ESPN
Sunday, March 13 - Championship
Championship Game, 1 p.m., ACC Network/ESPN
For more on other college basketball tournaments, visit SB Nation's NCAA Basketball hub.