Maryland Basketball: Is 2018-19 a make-or-break season for Mark Turgeon?

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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Anthony Cowan #0 and Justin Jackson #21 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate against the Richmond Spiders in the first half during the Barclays Center Classic at Barclays Center on November 25, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Lack of sustained success

Maryland has not traditionally been a program that shies away from high expectations. However, Turgeon took over Maryland in a bit of a rebuilding phase following Gary Williams’ retirement.

The Terrapins had only won more than 21 games on two occasions following their 2002 national title and had a measly 78-66 record in ACC play in the nine seasons before Williams stepped away. The program needed someone to breathe life back into it, which Turgeon did with that 2014-15 campaign.

Maryland has yet to regain that form. In fact, they’ve posted decreasing win totals in each of the three seasons, dropping from 28 wins to 27 to 24 to last year’s 19-13 disappointment, which is the only time during that stretch in which the Terps failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Injuries had a lot to do with that underachievement but it still did not sit well with the fan base.

In total, Turgeon is 157–80 (.662 win percentage) and 69–55 (.556 win percentage) in conference play spanning both the ACC and the Big Ten. Those three NCAA Tournament appearances are the only three in his seven-year tenure and only once have they advanced to the Sweet 16.

Yet the most damning stat is the apparent gap between Maryland and other top competition they have faced in recent years. The Terps have not defeated a ranked opponent on the road (0-16) since Turgeon became the head coach and are just 8-32 (.200 win percentage) against all ranked opponents regardless of venue.

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