Now with the midway point of the ACC schedule complete, Maryland enters the final stretch of the regular season. With 8 games to go, Maryland needs to do some serious making up for the lack of resume building through the first 8 games in conference. The positive thing is Maryland still has 4 resume building games.

There shouldn't be any debate on whether or not Turgeon is a good coach. With a team that has gone through so much turnover and change, for this team to be competing with the likes of Duke and UNC down to the final minutes of the game are far beyond my preseason expectations. Remember this team had zero NCAA Tourney hype and very little NIT predictions, but now the NIT almost seems but certain with an NCAA bid losing steam, but still possible. The good thing that can be said about the Terps is that with every game, the team gets stronger and stronger.

Maryland starts with Clemson for the weekday game, which the Tigers are struggling as well and lost one of their starters Milton Jennings because of academic issues, this game should be a good starting point. If Maryland loses this game the NCAA talk goes out the door with it. If Maryland does what should be expected, Duke is looming with two losses at home vs. FSU and Miami. Maryland proved that they can play with the Dukies, but Mason Plumlee must be ocntained a bit more then the first contest. This could prove as a trap game with UNC playing Duke this week.

After the Duke game, Maryland has a stretch of 4 very winnable games. The BC home game should be a win, @UVA will be a tough game, but I think with UVA's slow down game, Maryland seems to be able to play better with a less potent offensive team than a high scoring team like UNC, this game will come down to the last seconds, home vs. Miami should be a W even with Miami's latest success and then away @GT, also should be a win.

After that stretch Maryland closes out with UNC on the road and UVA at home. I thknk Maryland needs to win 6 of 8 to even leave a chance at NCAA hopes. Its possible but a long shot. I think the Terps are going to make a great push, but ultimately fall short of the NCAA's, but this leaves much optimism for next year.

What are your thoughts on the second half of the ACC schedule?