University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina and Maryland Meet in Semifinal Battle
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
March 6, 1999
Maryland has failed to reach the ACC tournament title game each of the past five years. Only North Carolina stands in its way if it wants to end that streak.
Laron Profit's 21 points, 10 rebounds and four steals led the Terrapins to a resounding 93-69 win over Florida State in the conference quarterfinals on Friday.
"I wanted to come out and make sure I was as aggressive as possible," said the senior forward. "If you're going to be a leader, the best way to lead sometimes is by example. I think if the young guys see you being aggressive and going to the glass, then they'll follow suit."
The second-seeded Terps (26-4) may have lacked that leadership in the past, but Profit's solid performance against the Seminoles vaulted his teammates towards an opportunity to reach the elusive league final.
Steve Francis added 20 points for Maryland, which won its seventh straight game. Lonny Baxter chipped in 18.
Maryland is 2-0 against North Carolina this season, winning both games by an average of 15 points, but it will face a Tar Heels squad battling for a lofty goal of its own.
North Carolina will be looking to earn a chance to become the first team in 30 years to win three straight ACC tournaments.
Bill Guthridge's team continued its quest by routing Georgia Tech 78-49 in the Firday's quarterfinals as Ed Cota's 14 points and Brendan Haywood's 13 led the Heels.
"We showed up tonight," Cota said of the offense. "Nobody took poor shots and we got great ball movement and we got the shots we wanted.
"I don't think there was one time where we didn't get the offense right. Every call I made we executed and got a good shot off it. That lets me know that everybody on the team is focused now."
The Tar Heels (23-8) were the last school to win three straight ACC tournament titles, from 1967-69.
