10. Maryland (4-seed)
From beginning to end, this season has been filled with potential for Maryland. The Terrapins are back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2016 and have a powerful starting five that can hang with any team in the country this season. The Terrapins have been snake bitten in some close losses down the stretch but have quietly put together a really solid season.
Maryland has been in every game they’ve played, with solid work out of conference before a 14-6 run in the Big Ten. They’ve never lost a game by more than six points all season and used a strong final stretch to stockpile impressive road wins over teams like Illinois and Michigan. Another one of those close losses came in the Big Ten Tournament to those Wolverines, but the Terrapins found themselves on the other end of it this past weekend.
The first round action wasn’t much of a test, as Maryland sprinted against 13-seed Grand Canyon, eventually topping the Antelopes by 32 points. Their matchup with Colorado State was far more exciting, as Derik Queen hit a shot at the buzzer to beat the 12-seeded Rams. The entire lineup has been brilliant in the Big Dance, with Julian Reese and Ja’Kobi Gillespie really standing out in those wins as well.
The challenges are never over for a Maryland squad that lives off these close battles. They use that strong starting lineup and a firm defense, which has already carried them pretty far this season. Greater challenges lie ahead as these Terrapins look to make history but among the teams that aren’t on the top seed-line it’s hard to find a more talented starting five among the Sweet Sixteen rosters.
Add us as a preferred source on Google