Where the Terrapins Currently Stand
On Feb. 8, CBS broadcasted the annual March Madness preview, which revealed the top 16 teams according to the selection committee. The Maryland Terrapins were among that list, being placed as a number 3 seed and ninth overall.
Right now, the Terrapins boast a 23-5 record, including 13-4 in Big Ten play. They currently have the best conference record in the Big Ten, which is also the deepest in all of college basketball this season with most bracketologists predicting that at least 10 of its 14 teams will reach the NCAA Tournament.
Who Makes it Happen
While Mark Turgeon’s in-game coaching abilities are debatable, there is no denying his impeccable recruiting skills.
The two most important names on the roster are Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith.
Cowan, the point guard, has a lot of athleticism and shows up when he’s needed the most. This was especially evident in their win at Michigan State, where he scored the final 14 points for the Terrapins, including four three-pointers, in their 67-60 victory.
Smith is their power forward and has been averaging a double-double (at least 10 in two statistical categories in a game, in Smith’s case he averages at least 10 points and 10 rebounds per game) so far this season. He’s been UMD’s major presence down low and his large physical frame has done wonders for this squad.
What Has Changed Since the Preliminary Seedings
When Maryland received its ninth place overall ranking, they were 19-4 overall and 9-3 in conference play. They came off a huge road win at then-ranked Illinois, and the selection committee said they were a step above the other teams on the 3-line (teams who are projected to be a 3-seed).
Now, they are almost certainly a second seed.
They have won four out of five matches since the bracket preview on Feb. 8, and while they let the two worst teams in the Big Ten (Nebraska and Northwestern) play them closer than expected, the Terrapins notched another marquee road win over Michigan State.
They lost a close game on Sunday at Ohio State, but that won’t affect their ranking much because the Buckeyes are also a top 25 team.
They almost lost again on Wednesday at unranked Minnesota. In fact, they were trailing by 16 at halftime, but a go-ahead 3-pointer with four seconds remaining by Darryl Morsell gave the Terrapins the 74-73 victory.
Also considering that West Virginia and Louisville were placed as second seeds and both have lost multiple games since the preview, and not against teams of the caliber of the Buckeyes, it is extremely likely that Maryland has moved above both of those teams to be solidly on the 2-line.
Article by Jonah Feuerstein of Montgomery Blair High School
Photo Courtesy of Flickr