Maryland, Michigan St: 2 good teams, 5 torn ACLs

In another basketball universe, one where ACLs stay intact, Maryland and Michigan State are seeded first and second instead of fourth and fifth. One can only imagine what a game it would be if all the players in dress clothes were wearing uniforms instead when the Terrapins and Spartans meet Monday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. ''It would be interesting to see, wouldn't it?'' Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant said. ''It would be fun. I would take it.'' Maryland (25-7) lost three players, including the expected starting backcourt, to torn ACLs in the fall. Michigan State (25-8) had two key players succumb to the dreaded knee injury and lost a third to a torn Achilles. The sidelined half-dozen - Maryland's Brene Moseley, Laurin Mincy and Essence Townsend, and Michigan State's Branndais Agee, Madison Williams and Aerial Powers - combined to play in a total of 10 games this season. In addition, Maryland's Tierney Pfirman is out with an illness after missing time earli...