Aug. 26, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
2008-09 Men's Basketball Schedule (PDF)
An appearance in the Old Spice Classic, as well as home-and-home series with two of the top teams in the nation highlight the University of Maryland men's basketball schedule for 2008-09 as announced Tuesday by the Atlantic Coast Conference office.
A demanding non-conference schedule includes three games in Orlando, Fla., in the Old Spice Classic at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. The Terrapins open against Michigan State, one of six opponents that appeared in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
Four other NCAA participants from 2008 are in the Old Spice Classic Field - Tennessee, Siena, Gonzaga and Georgetown, with all but Gonzaga in the other half of the tournament bracket.
"The 2008-09 schedule will be challenging," said head coach Gary Williams, who will be in his 20th season at Maryland. "Games outside league play include Michigan, George Washington and a return game with Charlotte."
Maryland will play 11 opponents that played in the postseason a year ago and could face a 12th in Oklahoma State. Included in that group are home-and-home ACC sets with North Carolina and Duke.
"In conference play, we're the only school to play North Carolina and Duke home and away this year," Williams noted.
Maryland will also play home-and-home in conference against Virginia, Georgia Tech and Miami. The Terrapins play Boston College, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech once each in Comcast Center during the season.
Maryland will play single road games in league this season against NC State, Florida State and Clemson.
Other highlights on the schedule include an ACC/Big 10 Challenge matchup in Comcast Center with Michigan, a battle against George Washington in the BB&T Classic at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., and non-conference home games against two opponents which won the regular-season title in their respective leagues - Morgan State (MEAC) and American (Patriot).
The Terps have a seven-game homestand between Dec. 12 and Jan. 10, with the final game in that stretch being a Comcast Center matchup with Georgia Tech that serves as the ACC opener. Maryland will play all 16 of its conference games in a row, including back-to-back home games against North Carolina (Feb. 21) and Duke (Feb. 25).
The Terps open play at home on Friday, Nov. 14 against Bucknell.
