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Maryland will start its NCAA Tournament far away from home against an upstart mid-major. The Jackrabbits went 26-7 and won the Summit League regular season and tournament titles. South Dakota State is ranked 28th in RPI and is 1-1 against teams that made the field. The Jackrabbits won at Florida Gulf Coast and lost at Texas Tech.
Maryland shouldn't have a problem with the upset-minded Summit League champs. The Terrapins have been inconsistent for much of the season, but they are a deeper, bigger and more talented team.
Mike Daum averages 15 points and six rebounds a game for the Jackrabbits, but he has yet to face competition of Maryland's ilk. Daum's field goal percentage is a robust 56 percent. The Terps are strong enough defensively where they won't need to throw double teams at him.
Maryland is allergic to blowouts, but look for the Terps to pick up a win in their first game of the NCAA Tournament.
Rankings, records, numbers
No. 5 seed Maryland (25-8, 12-6 Big Ten)
No. 12 seed South Dakota State (26-7, 12-4 Summit League)
Vegas: Maryland is an 8-point favorite.
How to witness
Date: Friday, March 18th
Time: Appx: 4:20 p.m EST
Location: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Spokane, Washington
TV: TBS: Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Doug Gottlieb (analyst), Ros Gold-Onwude (sideline)
Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network - Johnny Holliday (Play-by-Play), Chris Knoche (Analyst), Walt Williams (Sideline); ESPN 980 AM, 105.7 FM; Compass Media Networks - Drew Bontadelli and Mike Wozniak
Streaming: You can stream the game from the NCAA's website.