The Terps outlasted the sharp-shooting Valparaiso Crusaders who were just a three-point shot away from sending the game into overtime and Terrapin fans into heartbreak. Varun Ram played hero as he used his 13.7 seconds of playing time to make a potentially season-saving strip as a Valpo player was on his way up for a three. Maryland's just one win away from facing the top seed in the tournament (if you haven't heard by now) Kentucky Wildcats, who beat Cincinnati Saturday.
Maryland used a well-rounded offensive game with Melo Trimble, Dez Wells and Jared Nickens all scoring 14 points to push past Valpo. Nickens chose the perfect time to explode for his best game all season as he dropped in four first half three pointers. Jake Layman was tasked with guarding the versatile Alec Peters but didn't show up offensively, missing his only shot attempt all game despite averaging 12.9 points a game this season. Maryland shot an impressive 47.5 percent from the field last game but shot 16 less shots than Valpo because of offensive rebounds and turnovers.
The Juwan Staten-led West Virginia Mountaineers edged Buffalo 68-62 to advance to the Round of 32 and earn a dance with football foes Maryland. West Virginia finished the season shaky, losing three of its last four before beating the Bulls, but are finally back to full health with Staten back in the lineup. Devin Williams put up 17 points and 9 rebounds on 5-of-6 shooting from the field in the Mountaineers win Friday. West Virginia's greatest weakness is that the team gives careless fouls which could work to Maryland's advantage given that the Terps have a young man named Melo Trimble on its team.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 8:40 p.m. ET
TV: TNT; XFINITY - 48, 249 (HD) ; FiOS - 51, 551 (HD); Direct TV - 245, Cox - 34, 1034 HD)
Terrapin Sports Radio Network and live audio available here.
Online streaming: http://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live
The numbers
Rankings and records: Maryland is 28-6 (14-4 Big Ten) and a No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. West Virginia is 24-9 (11-7 Big 12) and a No. 5 seed.
KenPom's prediction: West Virginia, 70-69. Mountaineers given 53 percent chance to win.
One thing at stake
Just win, baby. Either Maryland or West Virginia get the tall task of spoiling Kentucky's perfect season and 49 percent of the nation's brackets if they can advance to the Sweet 16, so there is really only one thing at stake and that's winning the game in front of them.
One big matchup
Melo Trimble vs. Juwan Staten. Trimble, one of the most impressive freshman in the country, against Staten, a seasoned vet potentially playing his last game, sets itself up for a great matchup. Trimble contributed 14 points last outing while Staten added 15 in the Mountaineers win. Whoever controls the tempo of the game and can outplay the other in this perennial matchup will likely come out a winner.
Further reading
Check out our preview and our entire coverage of March Madness.