Maryland Fans Loud And Proud After Terps Advance To Big Ten Semifinals
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- Defying expectations. The Maryland Terps are hot in their first year in the Big Ten. They have advanced to the semifinals.
And for the first time in five years, men's Terps basketball teams is a lock for the NCAA Tournament.
Sports Director Mark Viviano explains people can't wait for the March Madness to begin.
Students took their final classes before spring break--some with basketball on their minds. Terps basketball is hot again, even for those who admit they weren't big fans when the season started.
"I think everyone's excited--even me. I don't know anything about basketball. We're all really pumped," one student said.
"Everyone's excited about the tournament. It's good to be back. It's been like four years, so... Let's go Terps," said another.
And they keep it going with a win against Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament--the Terps eighth straight victory.
READ: Wells Scores 22, No. 8 Maryland Squeezes By Indiana 75-69
Senior guard Dez Wells led the way with 22 points. He's the heart and soul of a Maryland team enjoying a resurgence reminiscent of their glory days.
This year's addition is a tough Terps team that refuses to lose.
"We just have a poise and confidence about us that we won't give up. We've been in tight games and our team has battled against it all throughout the year," said Wells. "We know how to win close games."
That adds to what is a school record for most wins in their history--27 and counting--as Maryland advances in the Big Ten Tournament and marches toward the NCAA's.
"I don't know what lies ahead... hopefully good things, hopefully a tournament run. But no matter what happens, we know it's been a great year," said Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon.
That great year has the Terps in a position to be one of the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament when pairings are announced this weekend.
While the University of Maryland men's basketball team gets ready for the Big Ten Tournament, on Sunday, the field will be set for the NCAA Tournament.
The Terps are a lock to be in the field for the first time in five years. Watch the selection show Sunday at 6 p.m. on WJZ.
Remember: Watch the Terps in the semifinals Saturday at 3:30 p.m. exclusively on WJZ-TV.
