The University of Maryland is back in the NCAA Tournament a year after missing the postseason altogether.
The Terrapins earned the No. 6 seed in the East Region and will play Thursday in Jacksonville, Florida against the winner of a First Four game between Belmont and Temple.
If Maryland wins that one, No. 3 LSU likely awaits. Two wins would push the Terrapins to the Sweet 16 at Capital One Arena in the District. Duke, the top overall seed in this year’s bracket, is the No. 1 seed in the East Region.
Maryland finished fifth in the Big Ten Conference this year, powered by star center Bruno Fernando and freshmen Jalen Smith, Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins. But the team petered out in the final weeks of the season, taking a surprising loss to Penn State in late February and bowing out of the Big Ten Tournament in its first game — a loss to 13th-seeded Nebraska.
The Terrapins haven’t won a postseason game of any kind since 2016, and some consider coach Mark Turgeon to be on the hot seat unless they make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.
Two years ago, Maryland was a No. 6 and lost to No. 11 Xavier in the Round of 64. Fans will hold their breath to see if the team can knock off an 11th seed this time around.
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