The Terps have been throttled a number of times this year, with defeats that would cripple mentally weak teams.

To their credit, they have shown an ability to respond and refocus going forward.

In the Old Spice Classic, they played games on three successive days.
After beating Michigan State the first night, their legs were limited the following days vs Gonzaga, and Georgetown.

MD was able to come back from those defeats, and reel off 7 consecutive wins – including defeats of Michigan (Big 10), George Washington (Atlantic 10), Charlotte (Atlantic 10), and American (American East projected champ, RPI 81).

That winning streak came to an end, against in-state, and MEAC projected champ Morgan State.
An ACC team should never lose to a MEAC team, and losing a 14 point lead to the Bears could have led to a pro-longed downward spiral.

Instead, MD was able to rebound from that game. They beat Georgia Tech at home, and played tough on the road against Miami and Florida State.

Against the Hurricanes, the Terps lost a 17point lead… but they had played well enough to have that lead in the first-place.
Against the Seminoles, the Terps were able to force OT on the road.

Many people did not think MD would get past those losses, but they were able to come home and beat Virginia.

The Terps then went back on the road and were destroyed at Duke, in a game where they could do nothing right.

They responded by bulding a 16 point lead on Boston College at home, including 11 at half-time. In the 2nd-half, MD could not buy a bucket, shooting 11 for 37 from the floor, and lost that game.

Ultimately, them losing that game is what matters. However, the fact that they were able to get past the Duke loss, and be ready to play at the start of the BC game shows a mentally resilient team.

With several negative articles making local and even National head-lines, MD won basically a must-win game vs Miami at home.

Building off that game, they went to North Carolina and scored 91 points. Unfortunately, UNC buried 16 three-pointers, and scored 108.

The Terps were clearly feeling better about theirselves, and gutted out a win at Georgia Tech.

Much like the Miami home-game several weeks past, MD was home against Virginia Tech in basically a must-win scenario. The Terps responded, and controlled the game, getting back to 500 in ACC play.

Last night, MD had the opportunity to draw-even with Clemson in ACC play. They were within 6pts at half-time, and that was with them not playing well.
The lead for the Tigers grew a bit, and the Terps folded on the road against a bigger, and stronger team.
That happens.

What I am confident about, is that MD will again pick theirselves off the floor, and be aware of what lays ahead of them.

The Terps are 16-9, 5-6 in the ACC.

They have wins over the American East Champ (Vermont), Patriot League Champ (American), a neutral court win vs Michigan State, and a home victory vs Michigan.

They play in the top-ranked conference in the country, and will be the only team that faces UNC, and Duke twice each.

To have a chance to get to the NCAA Tournament, MD will have to win 3 of their last 5 games; which would leave them at 19-11 overall, and 8-8 in the ACC.

The remaining games are home vs UNC, home vs Duke, @NCST, home vs Wake Forest, @UVA.

It will not be easy, but you can trust that MD will dust theirselves off from another difficult loss, and give theirselves an opportunity to dance.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

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.

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