For Maryland men’s basketball, each game brings an added appreciation

(Photograph Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)

On March 8, 2020, the Terrapins (ten-viii, 4-seven B1G) wore Big Ten Title t-shirts on their chests, rejoicing together as confetti covered the XFINITY Center floor. As the nets were slowly being clipped, no i inside the program knew that would be their last regular-season game for 262 days.

Coming off an 83-70 win over then-No. 25 Michigan to clinch a share of the Large Ten regular season title, the Terps' season abruptly came to an end four days afterward. On March 12, the NCAA appear that the NCAA Tournament would exist cancelled out of an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Terminal season, just over a week out from Selection Sunday, the Terps were slated to be a Pinnacle three seed in March Madness, according to several pundits. Maryland was equipped to potentially make a deep tournament run with Anthony Cowan Jr. and Jalen Smith leading the charge— in addition to a plethora of talented complementary players.

Now, with only over a month left in the regular season, the Terps are playing with a heightened appreciation each time they take the floor. Maryland has displayed tremendous resilience and toughness all season— headlined by iv wins over summit 25 opponents — three of which came on the road. The Terps accept battled a grueling outset to the conference schedule with nine of their first xi games against ranked opponents.

"I'one thousand really proud of this team," head coach Mark Turgeon said. "We could've tanked it a couple of times already and nosotros didn't. We but kept fighting, kept trying to go better."

In addition to the on-courtroom challenges of a daunting schedule in the nation'southward deepest briefing, the Terps have also had to navigate the difficulties that come with playing a flavour in the middle of a global pandemic.

Like every team in college basketball, Maryland has to go through a daily testing regiment and adhere to strict guidelines both at home and on the route. The restrictions have also prevented the Terps from having fans at the XFINITY Eye. It's typically one of the best home atmospheres in the Big X — defined by raucous crowds and the scintillating flag drop each second half.

Still, with no fans in the arena and no family in the stands, the feeling of excitement when it's announced that both teams are cleared before the game tin't be replicated.

"When you get that go-ahead both teams are articulate it'south actress excitement and extra gratitude," senior guard Reese Mona said. "But to be able to get out and play the game we love and compete over again."

While the pandemic has brought upon added challenges for the Terps off the courtroom, the team has been dealing with personnel changes on it. For the start fourth dimension in several seasons, Maryland is lacking a truthful post presence.

That has proved actress challenging this flavour, considering the league is divers by ascendant post presences similar Iowa'south Luka Garza and Illinois's Kofi Cockburn. Withal these personnel differences have allowed the Terps to grow tremendously as a commonage unit, deciphering several lineups throughout this season.

"I recollect our guys are really appreciating the opportunities that they take in getting better," Turgeon said. "Nosotros said a calendar month ago, 'hey nosotros got some immature guys, we got a lot of guys coming back that we just want to brand better.'"

The Terps' continued growth and evolution on the court compounded past the added challenges brought upon by the pandemic has proven to be benign. It has strengthened the camaraderie and bonding in the locker room, while also giving Maryand a heightened sense of confidence and thankfulness to play the game they love.

"We're thankful, we really are, every fourth dimension nosotros get a run a risk to play," Turgeon said.

Ultimately, similar every team in college basketball, the Terps want an opportunity to terminate the regular season and play in the postseason amidst the adversity. All the same, with that adversity comes an added reminder not to take annihilation for granted, and another opportunity to bask the moment of taking the floor with their teammates.

"It'southward actually just enjoying every game that nosotros become, because we don't really know how many more we take," Mona said.

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Source: http://wmucsports.net/for-maryland-mens-basketball-each-game-brings-an-added-appreciation/

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