April 1, 2002

ATLANTA - It's April 1, 2002, but there is no time for fooling. The Terrapins will play in the 2002nd game in the history of Maryland basketball tonight at 9:18 p.m., and no game has been as important. But let's not dwell upon 79 years of the past, or the Terps' 19 previous NCAA apperances, or even last year's Final Four showing -- there is no better time than now!

It is just a few hours before tip-off, so let's recap the goings-on since the last postcard, written just after the Terps' semifinal victory over Kansas.

After Easter Sunday breakfast and some time for rest and reflection, the coaches and the team returned to the Georgia Dome, still bustling with activity even on the "off-day." Coach Williams and the Terp student-athletes spent nearly two hours(!) talking with the hundreds of media members covering the 2002 Final Four. When the Terps' time with the media was over, the team practiced at the Dome for Monday' game.

The Terps had time to relax on Sunday afternoon and spend time with their families. A post-dinner meeting in Coach Williams' room wrapped up Day 5's activites, with only game day to go!

Monday morning arrived with a wake-up call. After breakfast the coaches and players participated in a walk-through at the team hotel. A pep rally is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the hotel, allowing the Terp faithful to get fired up together before tip-off.

Some celebrity sightings in the past few days, just out and about: actor/comedian Ted Danson, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, NBA great Magic Johnson, and our own Boomer Esiason, just to name a few.

We'll be sure to send another postcard when we get back tonight. We hope all of our Terp fans everywhere enjoy the game -- have a great time, but please be safe and responsible! GO TERPS!!!

"Postcards From Atlanta" will be written every day as the Terps travel down the road toward the national championship. Be sure to log on to umterps.com for tomorrow's postcard!