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There was no 2020 NCAA Tournament this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t look towards next year’s tournament.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi released the first version of the way-too-early March Madness bracket Monday, featuring Maryland men’s basketball as the No. 10 seed in the East region.
The Terps are predicted to face No. 7 seed LSU, which would be an interesting matchup considering what happened last time these two programs met in March 2019.
Also included in the East region is No. 1 seed Villanova, No. 2 seed Duke, No. 3 seed Michigan State, No. 4 seed West Virginia and No. 5 seed Ohio State. The other No. 1 seeds include Kentucky, Gonzaga and Creighton.
It’s a major step down for the Terps, who were projected as a three or four seed this past season. They competed the 2019-20 season with a share of the Big Ten regular season title, but will be missing a few pieces to their team next year.
Most notably, guard Anthony Cowan Jr. will no longer be with the program and Jalen Smith is expected to leave for the NBA — though there has not been an official announcement yet. Sophomore forward Ricky Lindo Jr. also won’t be with the team after the program announced he entered the transfer portal March 30.
Maryland added Boston College transfer Jairus Hamilton, though it is unclear whether he will receive a waiver to play right away.
In other news
Lila took a look at the best games between former ACC basketball foes Maryland and Duke.
Take it from Walt Williams and stay home.
Take it from former Terp and NBA star @WaltTheWizard42 – “Stay safe and follow the game plan.” Thanks, Walt. #StayHomeMaryland pic.twitter.com/Kv0AaYgAfC
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 6, 2020
Some more college basketball transfer news broke Monday.
If Jalen Smith leaves for the NBA, Maryland will be in need of some size down low.
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) April 6, 2020
Yale grad transfer Jordan Bruner (10.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg) has the Terps in his top-3 and seems like the best option. But 7'3 Matt Haarms (8.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) is also an interesting possibility. https://t.co/xaJTHINahJ
Maryland is not included on the list of schools that have already reached out to Purdue grad transfer Matt Haarms. https://t.co/AMtSTcvuIK
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) April 6, 2020
Maryland has contacted former Michigan guard David DeJulius after he entered the transfer portal today.
— Matt Levine (@MattLevine__) April 7, 2020
DeJulius already has a relationship with and played for former Michigan and now current Maryland assistant coach DeAndre Haynes, which could give the Terps an advantage. https://t.co/dRo6ELOEgh
Maryland made the list for four-star linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.
Maryland football makes the top 10 of 4-star St Frances OLB Jamon Dumas-Johnson.
— Wes Brown (@W_Brown21) April 6, 2020
The Terps have been working to establish a connection at the Baltimore powerhouse, and have seemed to do well.
Other schools: Auburn, ASU, Florida, UGA, Michigan, Ole Miss, PSU, Tenn, Texas A&M https://t.co/lmwvAsKUNL
Missing one shinning moment? Well, here’s a one featuring a star-studded cast.
We don't know how far we would've gone.
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) April 6, 2020
But we'll never forget the MOMENTS we had. pic.twitter.com/ppUDvCwUns
Keep an eye out for Late Night with Locks on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Coach is back with Episode ✌️@YannickNgakoue and @BrendaFrese join @CoachLocks live on Instagram this Tuesday night at 7 p.m! pic.twitter.com/3bEiCZLLcT
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) April 6, 2020
Jon Hoke spoke about Keandre Jones leading up to 2020 NFL Draft.
Another Terp to look for in the 2020 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/MwuXFGF48h
— Jon Hoke (@CoachJHoke) April 6, 2020
Vote for Testudo.
Mascot Bracket East Region
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) April 6, 2020
#8 @UMTerps vs #9 @NU_Sports#FearTheTurtle #B1GCats
Yesterday was National Student Athlete Day.
In the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community, our 500+ student-athletes make us proud to be Terps every day! #NationalStudentAthleteDay pic.twitter.com/yVxJDT3FP7
— Terrapin Club (@TerrapinClub) April 6, 2020
Can't wait for the boys to be back on the pitch
— Maryland Soccer (@MarylandMSoccer) April 6, 2020
Happy #NatlSAday pic.twitter.com/9RAO5JUREI