Maryland might learn its NCAA tournament fate today.
A victory over Virginia won’t seal the No.22 Terrapins’ bid, but losing to a mediocre team it already has beaten might damage Maryland’s chances for a 12th straight invitation.
With a victory over Virginia (13-10, 4-8 ACC), Maryland (15-8, 6-6) probably would need to win just one of its last three games to earn an NCAA bid. With Clemson (12-12, 2-9) coming to Comcast Center on Tuesday, the Terps could collect their eighth conference victory before facing No.4 North Carolina (21-3, 9-2) on Feb.27. However, losing to Virginia likely would force Maryland to win its season finale at Virginia Tech (13-10, 6-6) on March5.
“You want to have a chance to control it yourself,” coach Gary Williams said yesterday. “That’s all you want this time of year. If we play well at Virginia it would be great because then we have two home games.
“This time of year you want to be playing for something. You don’t talk about standings or the NCAA tournament. If you win, it takes care of everything. Just stay in the moment.”
The anger that spilled from Williams after losing to N.C. State 82-63 on Wednesday is gone, though it hasn’t been replaced by denial or acceptance. The Terps allowed 13 3-pointers ” a troubling total ” but Williams long ago learned to leave the last game behind. While players again were barred from speaking to the media before a game yesterday, Williams believed the loss won’t linger any more than previous ones.
“We’re not down,” he said. “Why are we down? We beat the No.7 team [Duke] in the country a week ago. I was disappointed in one game, not the season. [Players] bounce back quicker. They’re kids.”
The Terps have been plagued by erratic play. Guard John Gilchrist went from a near triple-double against Duke on Feb.12 to seven points and two assists against N.C. State. Forward Nik Caner-Medley scored only two of his 19 points in the second half against the Wolfpack. The frontcourt has alternated good and bad efforts over recent weeks.
Williams’ message to the Terps has been not to give up no matter the score. It has led to some abbreviated comebacks in losses, but the rallies usually carried over to better starts in the following game. Maryland twice has lost consecutive games this season. Conversely, it has a pair of two-game ACC winning streaks. The Terps essentially gain some momentum, then stumble before winning again. The pattern has been unbreakable no matter the opponent.
Not that Maryland is alone in a packed ACC race for the fourth and fifth seeds in the ACC tournament at MCI Center. The fourth- and fifth-place teams don’t have to play on the first day of the tournament. Miami and Virginia Tech are also 6-6 in the ACC with Georgia Tech 5-6 and N.C. State 5-7.
“You can’t say you have to win every game,” Williams said. “But you don’t want to accept anything negative. You reach for a positive and try to work on it. Maybe we can do this better. That’s a great lesson to learn for the rest of your life ” not to accept mediocrity, that you can’t do this or that. … A lot of things you talk about for a lifetime, not just four years [of college].”
Homecourt has proven a big edge throughout the conference. Every ACC team has an overall winning home mark, with Maryland 12-1. However, the Terps are a league-worst 1-6 on the road, beating only Duke. Virginia has won three of its last four home games, including two straight. The Cavaliers are even promoting “Paint the Hall Orange” today to revive sagging home attendance at University Hall.
“There are more teams that are closer,” Williams said of the ACC race. “If you’re playing at home, it may be enough to get you over the top.”
Williams wouldn’t specify any lineup changes, but the Terps probably will play more three-guard schemes to counter Virginia. Maryland was too slow against N.C. State, allowing 22 assists on 25 baskets. Shifting to a smaller lineup could create more aggression.
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