Finally we get to home conference play, against a team that has look a bit uneven but stands at 9-2 early in the season.  Maryland is always a tough team, and they've got a healthy eight-man rotation.

What to watch for Saturday at noon:

The new LCD boards.  Should be interesting to see how they use them.  The video boards in the corners need badly to be replaced.

Felton/Gilchrist seems to be the key matchup, but, if they both have good games, the basketball game will be won elsewhere.  Give McCants the edge over Caner-Medley.  May/Garrison will be interesting to watch as well.  The Terrapins will get some help from Ekene Ibekwe, so we may see Marvin Williams get his most minutes yet.  Marvin is due for a breakout game, and it's coming soon. 

I anticipate the lineup that will see the most minutes may be Felton, McCants, Marvin, Jawad, and May. 

I don't see Quentin Thomas getting many minutes, unless Gilchrist is out when Q is in.

I think the Heels win this one by 15 or so, although I'd like to finally pay Maryland back for the 96-56 debacle of 2003.  The core of this team is the same, so they have to remember.  Time for Roy to hand it to "the other Williams."

Pop quiz time!  All this information comes from the UNC team page at Yahoo! Sports.

Question 1:  Who is leading the Tar Heels in scoring?

Question 2:  Who is shooting the best free throw percentage?

Question 3:  Who, far and away, is shooting the best from the three-point arc?

Now, in thinking about your answers, consider that there are some players that don't get all the press, aren't one of the first three names advertised with the Heels, and yet continue to play their hardest day in and day out.  Jawad Williams leads the Tar Heels in scoring, Melvin Scott in free throw percentage, and CHARLIE EVERETT is 2-2 from the three-point line, at 100%.

And here we go.  Just when you thought the Lady Tar Heels had fallen off my radar, they go and beat Winthrop 79-29.  You have to feel sorry for the Lady Eagles, 

Eagles (2-11), who were so overwhelmed by the Tar Heels' aggressive defense that coach Bud Childers said his team could have best prepared by scrimmaging the Winthrop men's team.

Which brings me to my second point.  Why bother with women's basketball?  On the surface, it's slow, below-the-rim, and low scoring.  And that's why i like it.  I coached 13-15 year old girls for a season when I was in college, and the game they play reminds me of the men's game from the 60s and 70s.  Fundamental team basketball, moving without the ball, and excellent passing are on display.  The girls can't get above the rim necessarily, but that means they pass, screen, and look for the best shot available.

The Lady Tar Heels are an excellent group to follow.  Ivory Latta and Camille Little are two very exciting sophomores, and freshman Erlana Larkins is becoming a force down low.  I'm not the only person following the Lady Tar Heels.  At an exhibition game last year, I happened to look to see who was sitting in the end zone:  the entire men's team.