Maryland Terrapins Power Index: 30.7*

Maryland will contend for the ACC title for two reasons: Gary Williams has a program -- not just a team -- and Steve Blake is back. Maryland will not change its style of play, and will look inside first, throw a variety of defenses at you, and Williams will sweat out every game until the Terps win 20-plus games and advance in the NCAA Tournament. Blake is a pro. He is long, can guard almost anyone, and is as competitive as any player in the nation. Blake can shoot in transition or off of ballscreens and he gets the ball to his primary scorers. Blake could be the fourth player in NCAA history with 1,000 assists before he's done, and will certainly be Maryland's most prolific winner. Tahj Holden has the low-post, face-up and shotblocking skills to be an all-ACC performer, Ryan Randle is playing much better basketball than he was a year ago, and Drew Nicholas gives Maryland another shooter with deep range, defensive ability, and the handling skills of a point guard. The newcomers will all play significant minutes. Nik Caner-Medley is a very skilled and athletic lefty who can shoot it and take it to the basket, and could start at small forward. Travis Garrison is a very talented forward who shoots a good ball, can post, rebound and run the floor. Jamar Smith, a smooth and explosive JC transfer, will take some time to learn Williams' system, but will be a major contributor. Guard John Gilchrist can spell Blake or start alongside him in a three guard lineup. -- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 5.6
If you don't believe that this team is tough, watch some of Williams' intensity during the Inside Access with Maryland basketball on SportsCenter. The clip shown during halftime of Maryland's exhibition game against the Harlem Globetrotters is indicative of Williams' intensity on a daily basis. Blake is as tough a defensive point guard as any in the country. Holden and Randle are hardly soft and if you check out Jamar Smith and Travis Garrison you'll see that these guys haven't skipped the weight room. Toughness, especially the mental side, isn't an issue with this team or this program.

Talent: 5.6
Maryland doesn't lack talent. As mentioned, Blake is one of the best point guards in the country. Having Holden, Randle, Garrison and Smith as the primary inside players provides as good a rotation as most teams. Nicholas should pick up where Juan Dixon left off as a scoring, shooting guard and the role players like Caner-Medley, Gilchrist and Chris McCray give the Terps players who can either start or come off the bench and produce. Maryland must play similar defense, though, to ensure that it's still an ACC contender. Defense was the mainstay for this team last season and if it can restore some of that intensity they've got a shot.

Tourney Tested: 6.7
Come on, need we ask this question? Maryland won the title with four players returning and one of the most driven coaches in the game. The Terps won't wilt -- not even the freshmen, who are already being tutored on how to handle tough environments. Blake, Nicholas, Holden and Randle bring enough experience that Cameron Indoor Stadium won't scare the new guys. Williams is as good a tournament coach as his coaching colleagues in the ACC and beyond.

Schedule: 6.3
The Terps didn't go light on the non-conference slate. Playing Indiana in Indianapolis, Notre Dame and possibly Texas in D.C., Florida at home and then the ACC is no easy chore. As a team in transition, the Terps are doing the right thing by not loading up too much. If this team continues to have its confidence in January, it should be a factor in the ACC race. The Terps didn't get any favors from the ACC office with a season-ending two-game trip to Virginia and N.C. State.

Xs & Os: 6.5
Williams is doing more teaching and is more patient as he molds this team into another contender. The key will be integrating the five newcomers with the four veterans. If he can get the freshmen up to speed, he's got a shot at getting Maryland deep into March again. He did a masterful job the last two seasons and this is where he's at his best -- when everyone thinks they won't be as good. He relishes this role and will likely do some of his most cerebral coaching.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.