Jan. 17, 2002

By DOUG FEINBERG
AP MegaSports Writer

DURHAM, N.C. - Maryland will try to avenge last season's Final Four loss to Duke when it visits Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday, rekindling the hottest rivalry in college basketball.

The teams played four memorable games last season with the Blue Devils winning three times - including the Final Four victory that cleared the way to a national championship. In all four games, the losing team blew at least a 10-point lead.

"I don't look at one school in our conference as our rival," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Maryland's program has emerged to national status to where it can compete for a national championship."

The third-ranked Terrapins (13-2, 3-0) have been one of the rare teams to have success at Cameron Indoor Stadium, winning there the last two seasons. Maryland is trying to become the first team to win three straight at Duke since Wake Forest won five in a row from 1993-97.

"Everybody's talking about Duke-Maryland," Terps guard Byron Mouton said. "I'm real excited about it. I can't wait to play in it."

The Terrapins are coming off a hard-fought 92-87 win at Georgia Tech on Sunday, their first victory in Atlanta since 1998. Juan Dixon carried Maryland, scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and making a crucial steal and pass in the final minute.

"I'm enjoying this one right now," Dixon said, preferring to focus on the Terrapins' first victory at Georgia Tech since 1998. "I'll think about that (Duke) tomorrow."

Top-ranked Duke (14-1, 3-1 ACC) is coming off a 76-57 victory over North Carolina State on Sunday. The Blue Devils regained the top spot in the poll and seemed to get their swagger back in the win.

"Everything happens for a reason and maybe that was our wakeup call," Carlos Boozer said of Duke's one-point loss to Florida State on Jan. 6. "It might have been the thing this team needed. We got refocused, we've been battling like crazy in practice again. We're not taking anything for granted."

The Blue Devils got a career-high 27 points from Mike Dunleavy, including 15 straight, in the win.

"Mike just put us on his shoulders and we played great defense," said Jason Williams, who had a season-high 11 assists.

This will mark the 149th meeting between these schools, with Duke holding a 95-53 advantage. The Blue Devils have won 27 of the last 33 meetings against the Terps dating back to 1988, including 10 of the past 12.

Thursday's game is the beginning of a tough two-game stretch for the Blue Devils, who play No. 14 Wake Forest on Saturday.

"We're going to learn a lot about our team," Krzyzewski said. "This is a week where we'll play two teams that could be Final Four teams in Maryland and Wake."