11 replies to this topic

[texasbluedevil69]

Hey all of you Maryland Hoops fans out there - as of Wednesday, your team is IN my bracket as a 12 seed in a play-in, errr, "First Four" game. They've got a tough one tomorrow vs an angry Duke team. Anyone think this team is legit enough to make the tourney or am I off base here? I know still plenty of time left - just checking the thoughts of those who know the team better than me. www.bracketwag.com

[BSLChrisStoner]

Certainly feel a Tournament birth is still possible, and that they have the athletic ability and depth to win a couple of games if they get there.

However, they are in a precarious position right now due to the weak OOC schedule.

Going into Duke, they are 15-4 overall, 3-3 in the ACC.

They look to be squarely on the bubble, depending on who they had beat.

Maryland is 61st in the current KenPom ratings, and the Terps are 62nd in Real Time RPI.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I don't see it. The team is just in shambles and has shown no signs of pulling out of it. Unless they somehow get decent PG play (Dez Wells maybe), they just aren't going to do enough, IMO. This team is talented though, so if they do figure it out, they could do legit damage. Time is running out.

[bnickle]

I'm on record as being quite discouraged with this Terps team right now. I really don't see how they turn things around enough offensively to make the tournament. That said, as long as they keep their head above water they'll have a chance. You hope that they find a way to get better heading into Feb and the backend of the schedule isn't that tough. So, some improvement mixed with an easier schedule could potentially lead to a strong finish to the season. I'm not real confident in it happening, but that has to be the realistic hope.

[glenn__davis]

I think people are a little too down on the team right now. That loss to Miami sure doesn't look bad right now. UNC appears to have gotten their stuff together as well. The loss to FSU at home was not good, but frankly I put a whole lot of that one on Turgeon and his game management in the 2nd half.

As bad as they've looked offensively, they've looked as good defensively. No question the lack of PG and the turnovers are going to be a problem for the rest of the year. I think 11-12 seed seems about right for now.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Tournament berth still in reach for sure. A win at Duke would obviously be huge, but not necessary. But the next 4 games are winnable (at FSU, vs Wake, at VT, vs UVA). Then we play Duke at Comcast Center. Going 4-2 in that stretch would be the optimistic view. This would get them to 19-6 (7-5 ACC). After that, it's 6 more winnable games (at BC, vs Clemson, at GT, at Wake, vs UNC, at UVA). Another 4-2 chunk would be 23-8 (11-7 ACC). So it's obviously doable.

[mdak06]

I think it's possible for the Terps to make it into the tournament but at a minimum they need 23 regular season wins, and probably 24 or 25 overall (incl. the ACC tournament). That's a tall order but it's possible.

They're definitely bubble-ish right now.

[Oriole85]

ESPN: College Basketball Bubble Watch

http://sports.espn.g...blewatch?id=146

Maryland [18-8 (6-7), RPI: 67, SOS: 104] What the? Really, Maryland? You're going to follow up Saturday's profile-making home win over Duke with a loss at -- wait for it -- Boston College? No. 147 RPI Boston College? That's exactly what Maryland did, which significantly halts whatever bubble momentum Saturday built. One step forward, two steps back.

Terps are in the "work left to do" category.

[Mackus]

Lots of work left to do.

If they lose another regular season game, then they'll need not only a first round ACC-T win, but a 2nd round upset over Miami or Duke, IMO.

Two losses and their at large hopes are completely gone.

If they win out though, I think they can still get in unless they fall to a crappy team in the ACC tourney opener.

[Oriole85]

Just as I predicted, Lunardi has them in the "next four out," the 2nd spot to be exact. So right now they are #6 on the waiting list so to speak.

(http://espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology)

[Oriole85]

Lots of work left to do.

If they lose another regular season game, then they'll need not only a first round ACC-T win, but a 2nd round upset over Miami or Duke, IMO.

Two losses and their at large hopes are completely gone.

If they win out though, I think they can still get in unless they fall to a crappy team in the ACC tourney opener.

I think they have a little more margin for error than you do. If they win out, I feel pretty sure, they'll be in regardless. I think they probably get in with one loss, although an ACC tourney win would be icing on the cake. I think they are alive with two losses, but they'd probably need to win atleast two games in the conference tourney. Three losses, good chance they'll have to win the ACC Tourney. Just a very fluid situation, which changes by the day. But really no excuse not to beat Clemson at home.

[Oriole85]

RT @bracketexpert Last 4 out: Boise State, Alabama, Arizona State, Maryland