NCAA Tournament Bracket-ology

by Brian Kapur

The Terps earned the top seed after posting the top RPI in the country and beating then-No.1- UNC in the ACC title game. And while winning the conference tournament is a great accomplishment, it really was much bigger than just the ACC title. That win gave the Terps the inside track to the top seed, which gives the Terps a nice path to the National Title game, assuming they take care of business. But as coach Reese loves to say, its a one game at a time approach, and if they keep that up they will be in great shape.

The Good

-The best part of being the top seed, looking ahead to the Final Four, is the fact that Maryland will only have to play UNC or Northwestern in the National Title game, not both as they would have had to do last season.

-The Terps have no ACC matchups until a potential national championship game. Conference games in the tournament are always dangerous because of how competitive and close they all play each other. Just two years ago Duke upset the Terps in College Park in the second round.

Teams in Maryland's bracket that are dangerous

-UPenn is a dangerous team in the Terps bracket and if the seeds hold up, its the Team the Terps will play. UPenn has a stout defense and have experience playing the Terps once this season, although it was a loss.

- James Madison might be the biggest sleeper in the tournament. They got the 5 seed and rightfully so. The Dukes have taken all of their top competition to the wire or won. They knocked off UVA and beat Towson, two very good teams. And the Terps mid-week matchup at JMU could have been bad. The Dukes methodical, but deliberate offense gave the Terps trouble and Maryland switched keepers during the game. Midweek road games are always tough, but this matchup could be very tough because the Dukes will not be intimidated.

-Georgetown is another tough team in the bracket. The Hoyas played Maryland very well at the start of the game and took a quick lead. Maryland was able to come back and rout the Hoyas. But in a final four game where the pressure will be on, its a position the Terps cant fall into again.