Syracuse, N.Y. ? Maryland is 40 minutes from the Final Four, yet its players still get questions about Duke, which has been out of the tournament for days now.

Connecticut won a national title in 1999 yet is still considered by some to be a one-hit program.

“After Duke won the national title (in 2001), they were considered a dynasty,” Connecticut forward Caron Butler said Saturday. “After we won it (in 1999), it was like we were one-and-done  it will never happen again.”

No. 1 Maryland (29-4) and No. 2 Connecticut (27-6) meet today at the Carrier Dome for the East Regional title. The winner advances to next week’s Final Four in Atlanta with a chance to leave a much more lasting imprint.

Both programs have accomplished much but want more. Both want to be elevated to another level. Both want to win today’s game like you wouldn’t believe.

“I don’t like shooting stars,” Connecticut Jim Calhoun said of heavenly bodies, not players. “I think the greatest measure of excellence is time.”

For Maryland and Connecticut, the time has come.

Based on all the available evidence, Maryland is the better and more experience team. The Terrapins are a tournament-savvy squad led by seniors Juan Dixon, Byron Mouton and Lonny Baxter. Maryland is the team most aggrieved, knowing it blew a terrific chance to win it all last season.

Maryland is stronger, wiser and has already defeated Connecticut this season, by 12 points.

Yet, you get the feeling this game could come down to a last shot.

“They’re a tough out,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said of his opponent. “No one is going to intimidate Connecticut.”

The Huskies, in fact, have won 12 consecutive games and have grown immensely since that December loss to the Terrapins. Connecticut boasts only one senior in its starting lineup, forward Johnnie Selvie, but its players are not about to cower.

Example? Although Southern Illinois lost Friday, the Salukis exposed Connecticut a bit when it decided to attack the Huskies’ freshman center, Emeka Okafor.

Southern Illinois center Roberts scored eight quick points against Okafor and finished with 24. In Saturday’s news conference, Maryland players suggested they might use the same tactic.

“I’m ready for it,” Okafor said. “They say they’re going to bring it on, bring it on.”