With this weekend’s Selection Sunday signaling the tip-off of March Madness, Maryland is poised to pop up frequently in the brackets of casual and fervent fans around the country: Both the men’s and women’s teams are widely projected to earn top-5 seeds. And beyond the court, teams across Maryland Athletics are helping to put together quite a highlight reel.
As some winter sports, like wrestling and gymnastics, wind down successful seasons, spring ones like the perennial powerhouse men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have made early statements.
“This winter has been a season of tremendous success for our athletic programs,” said Damon Evans, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics. “We have two of the most successful, nationally ranked basketball teams, and we are excited for them to begin postseason play. Our wrestling team has achieved records never seen before in program history, and gymnastics continues with its steady performances. When it comes to the spring, you have to start with the lacrosse programs, consistently ranked among the best in the nation.”
Here’s how Terp teams have surged and what to watch for next:
Center Derik Queen dunks vs. Northwestern on March 8. (Photo by Ian Cox/Maryland Terrapins)
Men’s Basketball
The affectionately named “Crab Five” of starters Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, Selton Miguel, Julian Reese and Derik Queen have led the Terps (24-7) to a No. 11 national ranking and a No. 2 seed in this week’s Big Ten Tournament—their highest seed since 2015, their inaugural season in the conference. They enter Friday’s quarterfinal game, tipping off at 6:30 p.m., as one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning 11 of their last 13 contests.
Star center Queen, leading the Terps with 15.7 points per game, headlined the team’s conference honors announced this week, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team nods. Gillespie and Reese earned Third Team and honorable mention recognition, respectively, while Miguel won the league’s sportsmanship award.
“Everyone’s really enjoyed watching these guys play,” said head coach Kevin Willard. “I think that’s what I’m more excited about than anything. The way these guys have played has electrified the fan base.”
