NCAA Tournament: Terps Should Have a Chip on Their Shoulder

Mar 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard/forward Dez Wells speaks during a press conference before the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland men’s basketball was watching the Selection Sunday Special, anxiously waiting for their name to be called. However, they did not have to wait long, as they were announced as the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. As their seeding was revealed, one could sense a look of surprise and disappointment on the faces of the players. Not only were they seeded lower than expected, but they were also placed in the same region as the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats.

Regardless of how they feel, the show must go on. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the Terps need to use this as motivation. The facts still remain. This is a 27-6 basketball team that holds two victories over Michigan State and wins over Iowa State and a No.1 seed Wisconsin. The selection committee cannot strip Maryland of that. Now, it’s time to go play ball.

Senior guard Dez Wells was questioned about the team’s reaction on Selection Sunday. He responded, saying,

"That’s every game we’ve lost this season, we’ve had those faces of disappointment because we don’t expect to lose, we expect to win every game we play.” Coach Turgeon’s message was, ‘Don’t be too down on yourselves, you’ve got a lot of basketball left to play.’"

Of course, this is the correct way to answer those types of questions, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the Terps will be playing with a little bit of attitude. Mark Turgeon said it best. “I guess we’ve just got something to prove.”