In Maryland's two losses, leading scorer Drew Nicholas made just five of 19 shots.

No. 17 Florida at No. 16 Maryland

GAME TIME:	Saturday, 2 p.m. ET (CBS)
LAST MEETING:	Florida 39, Maryland 24 (Feb. 27, 1932)
SERIES:	Florida leads, 1-0

While both teams have lost games they were expected to win, both teams still have the potential to win their conference crowns and be major factors in the NCAA Tournament.

Maryland has played a difficult early-season schedule, losing to Indiana and Notre Dame. While losses are losses, there are a lot of positives to take from those games. First, Maryland had chances to win both games, and arguably gave the game away to Indiana with sloppy execution of out-of-bounds situations late in the game. Maryland was outshot 39-14 from the free throw line against the Hoosiers, yet still had the game near in hand as regulation wound down. Against Notre Dame, Maryland did not run offense in the half court, a problem that is correctable.

Maryland's early-season issues are common: running effective half-court offense and getting high-level consistency out of players without high-level experience. The Terps are very good in transition, creating turnovers with three-quarter court pressure via a 2-1-2 or 1-2-1-1 press. Maryland runs a lot of quick-hitters, but still looks to get the ball inside first, looking for its baseline flex-cut and the rollback of the screener. To beat Maryland, teams have to limit that action.

Gary Williams has a veteran team in key spots, with seniors Steve Blake, Drew Nicholas and Taj Holden leading the way. The Terps have talented newcomers, and need only to blend young and old together to be a national contender again. Williams is a great coach and an expert at bringing this type of team along. He'll have Maryland ready to play its best in conference play.

Florida has all of the pieces to be an outstanding team, but has struggled with teams that can break its presses to score. The Gators have a lot of bodies who can put pressure on teams and create chaos. But once the initial traps are broken, teams with good guards are getting shots on the other end.

Florida, with so many young players and with its pace of play, is still learning to play with pace. At times, Florida winds up spending too much time on defense, instead of making other teams guard the Gators when there is nothing in transition. If Florida spurns the quick shot when there is nothing on the break, the Gators will be right there in SEC play and in March.

Billy Donovan does a great job, and can mold this team into a real winner if the kids will listen and implement what he is teaching. The Gators have athletes, shooters and handlers, but need to establish David Lee as an inside presence, rebound the ball consistently and hit free throws. Florida has given away a lot of points from the free throw line.

Key Matchup: Justin Hamilton vs. Steve Blake
Hamilton Florida	Blake is one of the best point guards in the country, and perhaps the toughest kid on any team. Blake is a great passer and handler, but a capable scorer with deep range. He is unafraid and looks to take the big shot. He is physical on the ball, has long arms and is a very clever defender. Hamilton is a converted shooting guard who has size, strength and tremendous athletic ability. He is a terrific guard rebounder and can defend any perimeter player on the floor. Look for Hamilton to try and limit Blake's penetration and contain him early in transition.	Blake Maryland

Key Stat
Turnovers
Both teams like to press, but the press is unlikely to force a large amount of turnovers. What will cause miscues is playing at an increased tempo, losing patience and looking for the quick score when it's not there Saturday. The team that shows the most patience, makes the right reads, and does the best job of taking care of the ball will win.

What to Watch For
Defense on the run
Watch how each team gets back in transition defense. Both teams like to push the ball up court on the break and to look for early offense. The team that makes the other work against its half-court defense more often will have the best chance to win.