Maryland Surprised the ACC in 2008-09

The Maryland Terrapin basketball team not only surprised a lot of teams this season, they surprised a lot of people in and around Maryland.

The team had a great start but then had several losses, after blowing large leads.  People wanted to see head coach Gary Williams removed. Some people were even saying, "one more loss and he is out."

However, his players responded down the stretch. Williams acknowledged his players by saying, they had his back. By the ACC tournament many fans had almost given up. There was no way Maryland would be selected for the Big Dance. 

I felt the 'Terps had enough heart to put it all on-the-line for Coach Williams and they did. 

Grevis Vasquesz, Landon Milbourne, and Eric Hayes all came to Maryland together and didn't want to let their coach down or see him leave. .

They responded, as did their teammates Dave Neal, Adrian Bowie, and Dino Gregory.  The win over North Carolina State was extremely exciting for the 'Terps, but their victory against Wake Forest was outstanding.

I had written earlier that I thought the 'Terps would win one, maybe two during the ACC tournament. When they lost to Duke, they played hard until the last minute. Williams has a way of getting his players to put it all on-the-line.

I said the same thing about the 'Terps in the NCAA tournament, "Maryland could win one, maybe two."  They defeated California, but had to face a No. 2 seed in Memphis.

Let face it, nobody felt the 'Terps had a chance to make it towards the end of the season. Great turn around. If the three juniors all return, then the 'Terps will be a team that their opponents will, "Fear The Turtle."