Back in October, Maryland was picked by the media to finish 10 of 14 teams in the Big Ten Conference. Now in March, the Terps enter their first Big Ten tournament as the second seed in the conference and No. 8 in the Associated Press Polls. Needless to say, head coach Mark Turgeon’s team has exceeded expectations this season, but they aren’t done yet.
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Maryland is currently projected as the No. 3 seed in the East Region by ESPN’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi. Conference leader Wisconsin is projected to be a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, but could the Terps jump or join the Badgers as a No. 2 on Selection Sunday?
If Maryland wins the Big Ten Tournament Championship, the Terps should be rewarded with a No. 2 seed. Without a tournament championship, it does not appear possible for the Terps to get a No. 2 seed in the big dance.
The Terps only have five wins against the RPI Top-50, with two of those wins coming over Michigan State. Factor in some of the blowout road losses the team has suffered (Iowa, Ohio State, Indiana), it seems like a mountain too high to climb. Regardless, a No. 3 seed isn’t bad for a team that was not projected to make the tournament at the season’s start.
The road to a Big Ten tournament title was made easier for the Terps when they clinched a double-bye to the quarterfinals. Maryland will face the winner of Northwestern and Indiana on Friday, two teams Maryland has beaten this season.
The Hoosiers gave the Terps all they could handle in two meetings this season, each team picking up wins on their home floor. In both games, the Terps had problems stopping Hoosiers guard Yogi Farrell. The junior scored 47 points and added 11 assists in the two meetings.
Where Maryland struggled containing Indiana was on the perimeter. The Hoosiers shot 44.4 percent (20-for-45) from three-point range combined in the two games and Farrell shot 76.5 percent (13-for-19). Despite the inability to contain the Hoosiers’ perimeter attack, the Terps have been one of the conference’s best in three-point defense. Turgeon’s defense has held opponents to 31.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc this season, second in the Big Ten. If the Terps face the Hoosiers for a rubber match in the quarterfinals, Maryland’s perimeter defense will be a key to the game.
Maryland defeated Northwestern in the lone match-up of the season, but it was not pretty for the Terps. Trailing by 11 points with 3:28 remaining, the Terps closed the game on a 16-4 run and sealed the win with a Dez Wells put back with 1.4 seconds on the clock.
Where Maryland struggled was in their team’s defense. The Wildcats shot 54.2 percent (26-for-48) from the field, including shooting 69.6 percent (16-for-23) in the first half. Another guard lit up the Terps, this time is was freshman Bryant McIntosh who scored 21 points. The Wildcats also held a 32-27 rebounding advantage in the game.
Overall, the Terps’ problems with the Wildcats had more to do their own woes. Maryland was at their peak of inconsistency, alternating wins and losses during a six-game stretch. The Terps are now playing their best basketball of the season, especially on defense. They finished the regular-season second in the conference, holding opponents to 39.6 percent shooting from the field.
The biggest fear for Maryland heading into the postseason is their tendency to play at the level of the competition. The Terps’ resume is filled with narrow wins over teams who are not close to NCAA Tournament consideration, but they are also one of three teams to beat the Badgers this season.
The Terps have grinded out games throughout the regular-season and found ways to win with a few bounces going their way. However, in March, those bounces have a way of going more in favor of the underdogs than the higher seeds.
B1G Honors
After setting a program record with 26 regular-season wins, Turgeon was announced as the media’s selection for Big Ten Coach of the Year. Turgeon split the honors with Badgers head coach Bo Ryan, who was selected as the winner by the coaches.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished,” Turgeon said. “This is award is a testament to our coaching staff, players and administration who did a tremendous job preparing for our first season in the Big Ten.”
Freshman guard Melo Trimble was tabbed First Team All-Big Ten by the media and Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches. Trimble, who led the Terps averaging 16.1 points per game, was also named to the All-Freshman Team.
“I want to thank my teammates, especially the seniors, who believed in me from the moment I got here and pushed me to work harder every day,” Trimble said. “I am very appreciative of the trust that they have in me. I also want to thank Coach Turgeon and the rest of the coaching staff for helping me make the transition to the college game.”
Senior guard/forward Dez Wells was named First Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and Second Team All-Big Ten by the media. Wells was second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.3 ppg. During the Terps seven-game win streak, Wells has averaged 18.7 ppg.
”It is very humbling,” Wells said. “This makes me want to work harder to do everything I can for my team to be successful. There is still more we want to accomplish. I share this honor with my teammates and coaches.”
Junior Jake Layman rounded out the team’s honors, being named Third Team All-Big Ten by the media. Layman led the Terps in rebounding with 5.9 rebounds per game and third in scoring with 13.1 ppg.
“This is a tremendous honor,” Layman said. “I appreciate all the support and encouragement from Coach Turgeon, my teammates and the staff. Last summer, I worked out with John Auslander and he really pushed and encouraged me to elevate my play to another level.”
Chris Garman attended Mount St. Mary’s University where he studied in Communications. He is a native of Steelton, Pa. and has covered Maryland Men’s Basketball and Football for PressBox since 2012. Chris previously covered High School Football for The Patriot News in Harrisburg, Pa. He can be reached by email at: crgarman103@gmail.com.