Heartbreak In College Park After Terps' Tough Loss
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- Tough loss. Heartbreak in College Break after the Terps fail to pull out a Sweet 16 win. It was a difficult March Madness matchup.
The Terps couldn't knock out the No. 1 seeded Jayhawks, but it's their best performance in the NCAA Tournament in over a decade.
Rick Ritter with anxious Terps fans who were trying to will their team forward in the tournament.
It's a feeling College Park hasn't had in 13 years--the last time the Terps were in the Sweet 16.
"This is the first time Maryland's made the Sweet 16 since the freshmen were six years old," said Jordan Katz, student.
A sense of pride that's spread throughout the entire campus.
"This is a big deal. We're finally back, we're finally nationally relevant again," said Katz.
On Thursday night, Hoff Theater packed it in for Maryland's showdown against the heavily favorited Jayhawks.
"Yes, Kansas is good, but we're also good," said one student.
A hot start for the Terps has all eyes on the big screen.
"We're the David in this Goliath situation, so why not go as far as we can?" said Ife Uzokwu, UMd. alumnus.
Students are sporting their finest red and yellow, screaming for their favorite players.
"Melo, of course," one student said.
A chance for this team and the student body to make their own history.
"You can't make history without thinking about the prior history," said Katz.
And try to punch a ticket to the Elite 8.
"To be in the top eight and to go to the finals, that would be amazing," one student said.
It's something the entire university has been desperate for, in the midst of one of its greatest tournament runs in program history.
There are a couple of young Terps who could be headed to the NBA. Students say they're keeping their fingers crossed, hoping they stick around.