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Maryland, Butler look to advance to regional semifinals

Mar 17, 2007 - 1:18 PM Butler (28-6) at Maryland (25-8) 3:20 pm EDT

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - Maryland looks to receive another complete performance.

The fourth-seeded Terrapins will try to advance out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament when they face fifth seed Butler in the Midwest Region on Saturday.

Two days ago, senior Mike Jones scored 17 points to lead six players in double figures for Maryland in an 82-70 triumph over Davidson in the first round.

"I'm happy for our seniors," Maryland coach Gary Williams said. "We didn't go to the NCAA last year. These guys made it their mission to get to the tournament and now that we're here, it's great to get a win."

The Terrapins, who won thier first-ever national title in 2002, pulled down 54 rebounds in Thursday's win, tying a school record for rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game, matching their 1958 mark set against Boston College.

Butler reached the second round for the third time in its last three tournament appearances by hitting 9-of-24 3-pointers in a 57-46 victory over Old Dominion.

6-1 junior, A.J. Graves lead the way with 18 points for the Bulldogs, who have committed fewer than 10 turnovers in 13 of their last 19 outings.

Graves might find getting his shot off in Saturday's matchup rather difficult as Maryland's All-Atlantic Coast Conference defender D.J. Strawberry will likely draw the assignment of guarding Graves.

This will mark as the first meeting between Butler and Maryland, which is 11-5 all-time against opponents from the Horizon League.