Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Media Credit: Yuchen Nie

The chants began with three minutes, 40 seconds left on the clock, as fans pleaded with Gary Williams to put little-used senior walk-on Gini Chukura into the game. "We want Gini!" echoed throughout the arena until a resounding cheer broke out when Williams motioned for Chukura to enter.

Getting the popular Chukura into the game was part of an annual senior day tradition to play even the last guys on the bench in their final home games. And though it took some prodding and time for Williams to sub Chukura into the lineup, the process of honoring tradition and soaking up the festivities was made a bit easier with a comfortable win.

Though the Terps' lead fluctuated at times, they never lost control of the game and dispatched N.C. State without too much difficulty Saturday in a 79-59 win at Comcast Center.

"It was pretty exciting. We knew it was senior day, but we knew we had to get the win to help us out in the future," said senior guard Parrish Brown, who started his second career game for the Terrapins. "It was an exciting day; I enjoyed it and made sure I had fun."

It was just the way the seniors wanted to go out - with eyes toward the NCAA tournament and zero chance of returning home for a game in the National Invitational Tournament. Behind the seniors' strong performances, the Terps finished the regular season in dazzling style - and on a seven-game winning streak.

Throughout the Terps' winning streak, players have talked about playing together and unselfishly. Because of those elements, they've shot up the ACC standings into fifth place. They will play No. 12-seeded Miami Thursday at 2 p.m. in the first round of the ACC tournament.

After falling behind by four points early in the game, the Terps took control and never let go. They excelled in every fundamental area of the game, winning the rebounding battle, dishing out 18 assists and holding the Wolfpack (15-14, 5-11 ACC) to 37.7 percent shooting.

The Terps (24-7, 10-6) looked sharp offensively, making exciting plays that were the result of stellar passing.

"We've realized it's a fun way to play. Fans nowadays, they've seen their quota of dunks for their lifetime on ESPN or whatever, so now the new thing is to make a great play," Williams said. "It's a great feeling to get a teammate an easy shot - a layup, a dunk or something like that. I think we've bought into that now."

It's the first Terp team since 1932-33 to go undefeated against opponents from the state of North Carolina - though that 1932-33 team only beat Duke and North Carolina, while these Terps have now accumulated a 6-0 record against the Blue Devils, Tar Heels, N.C. State and Wake Forest.

That 6-0 record is especially noteworthy for this senior class, which had gone 8-16 against those same teams the previous three years.

Senior guard Mike Jones said he and the other five seniors have considered their collective legacy at different points this season.

"That was something we thought about coming into this year, something we thought about in the middle of the year," Jones said. "Now, I think we're starting to realize what it takes to win games."

Jones has been a big part of the Terps' turnaround from 3-6 to 10-6 in the ACC, and was at the forefront of Saturday's win with a game-high 21 points. It was his sixth-straight game with double-digit scoring, and it came on the perfect occasion - with daughter Camryn able to join Jones and the rest of family on the court in the pregame ceremony.

"She's basically the reason why I wanted to come out and just have as much fun as I did," Jones said, "and then also knowing the situation as a senior class and having to get a win."

Loud ovations followed those pregame introductions and each senior's exit from the game, with the loudest coming for D.J. Strawberry, who has become the Terps' unquestioned leader and sparked their recent winning streak.

While Virginia blew its chance to win the ACC regular-season title outright, the Terps didn't fall victim to a letdown or an upset Saturday - or at all during the past few weeks. The Terps were never in danger of letting N.C. State spoil senior day, as they rolled into the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the nation.

As the Terps settled into a cruise-control victory, it was only fitting that the ball was in Chukura's hands as the clock ran out on the regular season - a finale the seniors were able to enjoy from start to finish.

"That's what we wanted to do," senior forward Ekene Ibekwe said. "Just come out here strong and play tough and finish off with a bang. That's what we did."

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.

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