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Maryland Basketball: Can Terps beat West Virginia to open NCAA Tournament?

By Karl Heiser

Mar 10, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young (1) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young (1) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2023 NCAA Tournament Round of 64 opens with No. 8 Maryland Basketball taking on No. 9 West Virginia. Who moves on to face No. 1 Alabama?

TV Schedule: Thursday, March 16, 12:15 PM ET on CBS

Arena: Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama

If you’re locked in on the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the 8/9 game in the South Region is the first one airing on Thursday. No. 8 Maryland and No. 9 West Virginia face off for the right to meet No. 1 Alabama (barring something crazy) in the Round of 32.

Maryland Basketball has been one of the biggest surprises this college basketball season. First-year head coach Kevin Willard guided the Terps to a 21-12 overall record and 11-9 mark in Big Ten play. Charlotte transfer Jahmir Young excelled as an up-transfer, pacing UMD in scoring with 16.1 points per game. Donta Scott, Hakim Hart, and Julian Reese add double-digit scoring of their own. The Terrapins have plenty of veterans, but not a lot of depth. They have struggled to consistently hit three-point shots this season, converting 33% of their attempts as a team.

West Virginia held their own in a Big 12 laden with elite teams, finishing 7-11 in conference play. The Mountaineers enter the 2023 NCAA Tournament with a 19-14 overall record, a mark one would normally expect of a bubble team, but Bob Huggins’ squad was able to put together a solid enough resume that their March Madness hopes were never really in doubt on Selection Sunday. Erik Stevenson leads the team with 15.5 PPG while shooting 38.1% from three. Tre Mitchell holds down the frontcourt with his 11.6 points and 5.5 boards per contest. His ability to stretch the floor adds another important dynamic to this WVU attack.

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This should be a good battle between two respectable defenses. Factor in each team’s up-and-down shooting throughout the season and we’ve got the makings of a close first-round game. While Maryland may be the more balanced team, they’ve struggled away from home this season.

They had good results at neutral sites, which is why I don’t believe the Terps should be completely written off for not playing this game in College Park. However, the Mountaineers have had more encouraging results lately, while Maryland dropped games to Nebraska and Ohio State down the stretch. I think West Virginia will muck things up defensively, cause enough turnovers, and ride their more efficient offense to a close win.

Prediction: West Virginia 69, Maryland 67

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