Sports
Terps in 2016 NCAA March Madness: TV Schedule, Printable Bracket
The Maryland Terrapins have potential NBA players and high expectations in the 2016 men's basketball tourney. How will they do?
The University of Maryland Terrapins, the preseason favorites to win the Big Ten, say the loss of that crown has spurred them to up their game in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
Maryland is a No. 5 seed in the South region of March Madness with No. 1 Kansas and No. =2 Villanova. Kansas ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll.
No. 5 Maryland will play No. 12 South Dakota State (26-7) on Friday afternoon in Spokane, Wash.The game will be shown on TBS. South Dakota State won the Summit Championship conference tournament.
Find out what's happening in Dundalkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Here's your printable NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket.
- Here's your full NCAA men's basketball television schedule.
South Dakota State made the NCAA tournament in 2012 and 2013. The Jackrabbits have never won a game in the NCAA tournament.
First seeds are Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas and Virginia.
Find out what's happening in Dundalkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Maryland was a four seed last year and defeated Valparaiso in the opening round before bowing out in the Round of 32 against West Virginia.
The dates for the NCAA men's basketball finals are April 2 and April 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
SOUTH REGION MATCHUPS
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 Austin Peay
No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Connecticut
No. 5 Maryland vs. No. 12 South Dakota State
No. 4 California vs. No. 13 Hawai'i
No. 2 Villanova vs. No. 15 UNC Asheville
No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Temple
No. 3 Miami (FL) vs. No. 14 Buffalo
No. 6 Arizona vs. No. 11 Vanderbilt/ Wichita State (play-in game)
Team's Mood Upbeat After Big 10 Title Loss
The Terps left the Big 10 tourney feeling confident about their chances in the NCAA tournament.
“There’s no question: coaching staff, players, everybody involved in Maryland basketball feels really good. Feels better than we did coming into (The Big Ten tournament),” head coach Mark Turgeon said.
The Terrapins (25-8) limped into the Big Ten tournament, losing four of their previous six games to end the regular season, but they looked to cure some of their ailments in the two contests against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Michigan State Spartans.
On Friday night, Maryland defeated Nebraska with an impressive offensive showing, scoring a Big Ten team record-high 97 points.
The Spartans had only lost one game since February, but Maryland pushed them to the brink and had a few opportunities to win the game late.
“We just learned that we’re back, and we can compete with anybody,” the Terps’ Robert Carter said minutes after losing to Michigan State in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon. “It’s going to be a fun NCAA tournament.”
After the game, Maryland received high praise from longtime Michigan State head coach and Basketball Hall of Fame finalist Tom Izzo.
“I still think (Maryland) is the most talented team with the most NBA players,” Izzo said. “I think (Turgeon) has done a good job with them.”
Turgeon said the high expectations made it harder for his team to just go out and play basketball. He said simplifying things and making practice more enjoyable was key going into the Big Ten tournament.
“We had a lot of fun this week in practice. We played games. We did a lot of different things just to try to get to relax,” Turgeon said.
— With reporting from Troy Jefferson, Capital News Service; photo from CNS
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
