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MM 2.17: National hype continues to build around Maryland men’s basketball

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

By Lila Bromberg
Maryland basketball bench celebration, Michigan State, 2020 Sarah Sopher / Testudo Times

Over the past week, No. 9 Maryland men’s basketball has come up numerous times in talks of potential Final Four teams, even coming up in many discussions as a team that could win it all in March Madness.

On College GameDay before the Terps’ game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Jay Bilas remarked, “I think they’re fully capable of Final Four, national championship. Fully capable.”

And following Maryland’s 67-60 win over the Spartans, despite trailing by seven in the final minutes, the hype is just continuing to build.

Before the season, head coach Mark Turgeon’s squad was given 40:1 odds to win the 2020 National Championship. As of Sunday, those odds have jumped to 20:1.

Here is what some college basketball analysts are currently saying about the team from College Park:

Seth Davis, who was highly critical of Maryland for many portions of this season, excluding the team from his top-25 for several weeks, is now fully on board the Terp train.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander says the win in East Lansing shows the Terps’ championship potential.

Jon Rothstein thinks Maryland has the best shot to make the Final Four out of any Big Ten team.

And he compared Anthony Cowan Jr.’s late game heroics Saturday night to the one and only Juan Dixon.

Fox Sports’ Aaron Torres is convinced Maryland is good enough to win it all.

Poll

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    First or second round
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In other news

No. 9 Maryland men’s basketball extended its win streak to eight after beating Michigan State 67-60 in East Lansing.

Here are three takeaways from the Terps’ victory over the Spartans.

Our crew traveled to East Lansing, and Sarah captured some great photos of College GameDay and the Terps in action against the Spartans.

Check out Morgan’s recap of the game.

She also captured College GameDay earlier on Saturday in East Lansing.

Matt and Lila had the one and only Scott Van Pelt on the ouTTakes podcast this week. Check out this can’t miss episode.

The Testudo Times Podcast returned last week with Lila and Matt discussing No. 9 Maryland men’s basketball’s win streak and whether or not the Terps deserve a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

No. 10 Maryland women’s basketball rallied behind its strong second half Sunday, beating Penn State 106-69.

Wes looked at how Shakira Austin played a crucial role in the Terps’ prior win over Iowa.

No. 4 Maryland men’s lacrosse scored eight unanswered goals to come-from-behind and beat No. 6 Penn, 17-15.

Brandon examined how the Terps’ offensive is so explosive and how that is due to their unselfishness.

No. 1 Maryland women’s lacrosse’s 86-game home win streak came to an end Saturday with the team losing to No. 14 Florida, 15-14.

Maryland wrestling completed its fourth consecutive season without a conference win after losing to No. 24 Northwestern, 37-9, Sunday.

Dylan previewed the 2020 Maryland baseball season. (The Terps went 3-0 over the weekend, so stay tuned for our coverage on that later today.)

Maryland baseball’s Randy Bednar is looking to build on a career sophomore year.

Anthony Cowan Jr. is having a career season, to say the least.

And Maryland has its longest streak in the Big Ten, now with eight consecutive wins.

Check out some more highlights from the game.

The Terps should be in position to jump a few spots in this week’s AP Poll.

Maryland men’s basketball has sold out its second game this season.

Check out some highlights from No. 10 Maryland women’s basketball’s win over Penn State.

Kaila Charles grabbed board No. 900 Sunday against Penn State.

Jared Bernhardt continues to climb the Maryland all-time goals leaderboard.

Jaron Smith had a big win for Maryland wrestling Sunday.

Former Terp Melo Trimble continues to dominate the NBL.

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