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.”
More from Maryland Terrapins
- Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29
- Maryland Terrapins: Roundup of Headlines in Maryland Sports
- Where Will Maryland Basketball’s Kevin Huerter Land in 2018 NBA Draft?
- Maryland Terrapins Offensive Lineman Jordan McNair Dies
- Remembering Maryland Basketball’s Cliff Tucker: Top 5 Best Moments
The Terps will be playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years. Considering where this team has come from, they really just have to be happy to be in the tournament and take it all in.
In order for Maryland to go far in the tournament, they cannot afford to dwell on their seed any longer. It’s go-time and they must focus on doing what is in their control and that’s winning.
It’s quite possible that Maryland isn’t receiving the credit that they deserve. But, guess what? Winning erases all doubt. If they go out there and take care of business, there’s nothing the critics can say.
Anyone who has watched the Terps this season knows just how good this team can be. At their best, they can compete with any team in the country. Now they just have to prove it to the world.