The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Remembering Maryland Basketball’s Cliff Tucker: Top 5 Best Moments

By Christopher Church

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 11: Cliff Tucker #24 of the Maryland Terrapins passes against Andre Dawkins #20 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2011 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Duke won 87-71 in regulation. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 11: Cliff Tucker #24 of the Maryland Terrapins passes against Andre Dawkins #20 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half in the quarterfinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 11, 2011 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Duke won 87-71 in regulation. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Maryland basketball family lost a member Monday morning following the tragic death of former Terps’ Cliff Tucker.

Former Maryland basketball forward Cliff Tucker from the University of Maryland class of 2011 was involved in a fatal car crash that took the life of the 29-year-old Monday morning.

Tucker played four seasons for the Maryland basketball program under Hall of Fame Head Coach Gary Williams. He tallied 131 career games for Terps basketball and shot a career 35.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Tucker’s most memorable season came during his senior season when he averaged a career-high 23.8 minutes and 9.6 points, along with guiding Maryland to a late-season seven-game win streak.

Most noteworthy, Tucker’s buzzer beater against Georgia Tech helped launch the Terps to the 2010 ACC Regular Season championship.

The El, Paso native went on to play professional basketball with the NBA D-League’s Springfield Armor during the 2012-13 season. Tucker appeared in 13 games and averaged 6.5 points and shot 41.4 percent from three-point range.

Now, we remember the five best moments of Cliff Tucker’s career with Maryland basketball.

5. Feb. 3, 2009, vs. No. 3 North Carolina

Stat line: 18 points, four rebounds, 8-of-14 FG | Box score

After defeating North Carolina on their own court, who then was the No. 1 team in the nation, the Maryland Terrapins basketball team were defeated 108-91.

However, Cliff Tucker was one of the few shining moments in a tough loss, scoring 18 points and shooting 57 percent from the field. Tucker also added four assists and three steals in front of 21,750 in attendance in Chapel Hill.

4. Jan. 22, 2011, vs. Clemson

Stat line: 15 points, three rebounds, 3-of-4 3PT | Box score

In Maryland basketball’s fifth ACC matchup of the season, Cliff Tucker registered 15 points to guide the Terps to a 79-77 victory in College Park, Maryland.

Tucker knocked down three of Maryland’s eight three-pointers and played a vital part in the final minutes, including a crucial assist to Terps’ big man Jordan Williams. The assist and a made shot from beyond the arc extended the Terps lead to 11 points and secured win No. 12 of the season.

3. Feb. 21, 2009, vs. No. 3 North Carolina

Stat line: 22 points, six rebounds, 5-for-7 3PT | Box score

Overshadowed by Greivis Vasquez‘s triple-double, Cliff Tucker played a monumental role in helping Maryland upset No. 3 North Carolina.

Tucker hit four of his three-point shots in the second half to help Maryland stay within striking distance in one of the biggest upsets in the past decade for Maryland basketball.

2. Jan. 12, 2011, vs. Wake Forest

Stat line: 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists | Box score

In arguably his best performance of his Maryland basketball career, Tucker recorded a season-high 21 points to lift the Terps to a 74-55 victory over Wake Forest.

The 21-point performance marked Tucker’s fifth consecutive game where he reached double digits in points scored. Lastly, Tucker registered 14 points in the first half and led the Terps to a 34-20 lead heading into halftime.

1. Feb. 20, 2010, vs. Georgia Tech

The best memory of them all, Cliff Tucker’s buzzer beater from beyond the arc versus Georgia Tech.

No doubt does Tucker’s game-winning three-pointer rank among the best Maryland basketball finishes of all-time.

Next: How Kevin Huerter Elevated his NBA Draft Stock

Former Maryland Terrapins Head Coach Gary Williams had this to say about the passing of Tucker:

"Cliff was a great teammate willing to do whatever it took to make us champions. One of the great things about coaching is getting to know each player and their passion for their family, life and basketball. That’s what makes this so difficult. He touched everyone who was a part of his life."

Home/Maryland Terrapins