It's impossible to overestimate how much better of a game coach Gary Williams is than anyone not named Mike Krzyzewski in the ACC. Trailing 24-17 in the first half, the Maryland leader called a timeout at 6:59 and drew up a play for his best player.

Voila! Two points for Greivis Vasquez off a "flex" cut for an easy layup. Sounds like Coaching 101, but you can count on one hand how many other ACC coaches do the same thing, in the same spot.

Senior Dennis Horner wasn't supposed to start but did after freshman Richard Howell sprained a ligament in his left thumb. Horner scored 19 points, hitting two 3-pointers, and finished with a team-best 10 rebounds despite playing with a stomach bug.

Howell, who injured the thumb in practice, is day-to-day, Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe said. Howell missed five games earlier in the season because of a knee sprain.