Williams plays large role in upset

If you did not see on ESPN this past Saturday, the Maryland Terrapin men's basketball team upset then-No. 3 North Carolina at the Comcast Center, 88-85 in overtime.

The game itself was remarkable as the Terps battled back from 16 points down to tie the game and force overtime, eventually winning. Their was an enormous atmosphere that would get any recruit to sign their commitment form right then and there.

Greivis Vazquez played the game of his life, accouting for the third triple-double in school history. He finished 35 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

While I know you may already have the gist of the game and sifted through loads of analysis, I will present one point: Gary Williams.

The main reason why Maryland won on Saturday was because of the large differential in coaching between the two schools. North Carolina is easily a much more talented team from top to bottom, with at least six potential NBA players.

The Tar Heels were also one of the nation's hottest teams coming into the game. They were riding a 10-game win streak against the likes of Clemson, Miami, Florida State and Duke. North Carolina also got back 7-foot freshman phenom Tyler Zeller to add to its immense depth.

For some reason, though, the Terps played an entirely better game than the Tar Heels. They played with more passion, moxie, and heart. Sure their skills or size weren't comparable, but the Terps did not dwell on that fact.

The reason for all of this is head coach Gary Williams. Williams simply out-coached his ACC counterpart, Roy Williams.

"The best team won today," Roy Williams said after the game. "The stronger team, the tougher team, the better-coached team. Sorry to be so blunt, but that's the way it was."

Vazquez also added, ""Every Maryland fan should be grateful because that man right there can coach."

And in reality, both of them are right. Without Gary Williams, the Terps would not be 17-9. They would not be 14-2 at home. They would not have beaten Michigan State. And finally, Maryland, without Gary Williams, would have beat North Carolina on Saturday.

All of this with a undersized 6'6" center as the teams lone senior.