The University of Maryland Terrapins entered the 2015-16 season #1 in the ESPN Power Poll. #3 in the AP and Coaches Polls. The aspirations were of a trip to the Final Four and competing for the second National Championship in school history. Thoughts of Selection Sunday were solely of which region would Maryland be a #1 seed in?
Suffice it to say, things have not gone to plan. With losses in 5 of their last 8 games the Terps enter the National Tournament under a haze of uncertainty.
The revealed bracket shows that MD (25-8 overall) is a 5 seed in the South Region, that will face the 12 seed South Dakota State in the opening round.
Can the Terps overcome the failed expectations of their regular season, and finally live up to their advanced billing? The answer to that begins Friday for Maryland in Spokane, Washington.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Ken Pomeroy Ratings As Of March 13th:
Overall:
Maryland: 23rd
South Dakota State: 80th
Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (points per 100 possessions):
Maryland: 26th
South Dakota State: 79th
Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions):
Maryland: 37th
South Dakota State: 108th
Adjusted Tempo (possessions per 40 minutes):
Maryland: 224th
South Dakota State: 164th
The Jackrabbits won the Summit League, going 26-7 overall on the year, 12-4 in league play.
South Dakota State has won their last 6 games, and 12 of their last 14.
Best wins: @Minnesota, @Florida Gulf Coast, @Weber State, vs. Middle Tennessee State
Individual stats for the Jackrabbits can be found here.
Quick Notes:
– 9 different Jackrabbits average 10+ minutes per game.
– 3 different Jackrabbits averaging 14.7+ ppg.
– The leading scorer is 6’9, 245lb Freshman Forward Mike Daum.
– George Marshall is a 6’1 Senior Guard, averaging 14.9 ppg, shooting 37% from 3 on 6.1 attempts per.
– Marshall is joined in the backcourt by another 6’1 Senior Guard, Deondre Parks. Parks averages 14.7 ppg, and makes 33% of his 3 point attempts (4.2 attempts per).
– Maryland is 286th in Offensive Rebounding per game. South Dakota State is 79th in Defensive Rebounding.
– Maryland is 288th in Turnover Margin. South Dakota State is 163rd.
– Maryland is 198th in Steals. South Dakota State is 290th.
– Maryland is 56th in 3pt FG% Defense. South Dakota State is 126th in 3pt FG% Offense.
– Connor Devine (Freshman, 8.4 minutes per game) is the only player on the South Dakota State roster who is at-least 6’10.
Should Maryland get past South Dakota State, they would face the winner of the California Golden Bears (23-10 overall, 12-6 in the Pac 12) and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (27-5 overall, 13-3 in the Big West) in the 2nd round.
The #1 seed in the South is Kansas, who obviously enters this tournament as one of the prohibitive favorites to win it all.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.