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Maryland opens NCAA Tournament with near 8-minute scoring drought
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Maryland did not get off to a good start against West Virginia on Thursday afternoon.
The Terps scored 4 quick points early on in the game, but then battled through an extended scoring drought. Their next points didn’t come until the 10:41 mark of the 1st half when Jahmir Young made a pair of free throws.
Those foul shots ended a scoring drought of 7 minutes and 39 seconds. West Virginia promptly hit a 3-pointer, making it a 17-2 run in favor of the Mountaineers.
Here’s some of the reaction to to Maryland’s slow start:
It's 16-4 here, after nine minutes. Maryland is horrific so far.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 16, 2023
The game started, right? pic.twitter.com/lAZe7sC5X6
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 16, 2023
Jahmir Young free throw ends a 7:39 (!!!) scoring drought for Maryland.
— Emmett Siegel (@EmmettSiegel_) March 16, 2023
Expert analysis: six turnovers in eight minutes is not a good ratio for Maryland.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) March 16, 2023
Stellar start for the Big Ten.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) March 16, 2023
1H 11:49 WVU 13 Maryland 4
As bad of a start as Maryland could have had. Up to six turnovers and getting killed on offensive rebounds.
Maryland's offense hasn't scored in six and a half minutes and WVU on a 11-0 run.
— Testudo Times (@testudotimes) March 16, 2023
Maryland has had a good season in Year 1 under Kevin Willard. However, the Terps have been struggling in recent weeks. They’ve lost 3 of their last 4 games entering the tournament.
Since the beginning of February, Maryland has won 2 games away from home. Both of those victories came against Minnesota.
Maryland is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the 1st time since 2021. It hasn’t made it beyond the 1st weekend since 2016.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.