COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A strong home schedule that includes a visit from defending national champion North Carolina, along with a trip to the EA Sports Maui Invitational, highlight the University of Maryland men's basketball schedule for 2009-10, as announced Tuesday by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Terrapins face at least 12 games against teams that appeared in the postseason last year, including a nationally televised matchup on Feb. 7 against North Carolina. Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Duke are other ACC opponents coming to Comcast Center this year who had postseason invitations a year ago.

Highlighting the non-conference schedule is Maryland's appearance in the 2009 EA Sports Maui Invitational. After opening the tournament on Nov. 21 against host Chaminade, the Terrapins face possibly the strongest holiday-tournament field in college basketball. Maryland's final game in the event could be against either Arizona, Gonzaga or Wisconsin, each of which played in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

"The ACC schedule is always difficult because of the depth of strong teams in our league," said head coach Gary Williams, who is in his 21st season at his alma mater. "The Maui Invitational provides an early challenge. Games with Indiana and Villanova highlight the December schedule. We look forward to the challenge."

After returning from Maui, Maryland faces a Dec. 1 trip to Indiana in the Big Ten / ACC Challenge, marking a matchup between teams that appeared in the 2002 NCAA national championship, won by the Terps.

The difficult stretch continues later that week when Maryland plays highly regarded Villanova on Dec. 6 in its annual appearance in the BB&T Classic at the Verizon Center.

In ACC matchups, Maryland will play home-and-home series with Duke, Virginia, Clemson, Florida State and NC State. The Tar Heels, Georgia Tech and Miami will also make trips to Comcast Center in 2010.

Maryland will play single road games in league this season against Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

The Terrapins make their first Comcast Center appearance this season on Oct. 16 when they host Maryland Madness. There will be an exhibition game on Nov. 3 against Indiana, Pa., to help the Terrapins prepare for the season-opener on Friday, Nov. 13 against Charleston Southern.

A limited number of men's basketball season tickets are now on sale to the public.

Fans can take advantage of our new six-month, no-interest payment plan and can become a season ticket-holder for as low as $99.85* / month per ticket.

For more information, click this link or call the Terrapin Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP.