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Maryland Basketball: Big Ten Tournament staff roundtable

By Chris Bengel

Feb 21, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rasheed Sulaimon (0) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Rasheed Sulaimon (0) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) attempts a shot against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Tai Webster (0) during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Maryland defeated Nebraska 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Robert Carter (4) attempts a shot against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Tai Webster (0) during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Maryland defeated Nebraska 70-65. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

6.) What seed do you see Maryland getting in the NCAA Tournament?

CB: Obviously this all depends on what Maryland does in the Big Ten Tournament. With a win or two this weekend, the Terps could be a top-three seed. However, I would bet against it. I’m going to stand firm and say that Maryland will end up with a No. 4 seed. In that type of scenario, a team like Northern Iowa probably comes calling in a setting like Denver or Oklahoma City. Winning the Big Ten Tournament really would put a huge boost to Maryland’s resume, but unfortuately, I think a No. 4 seed is what the Terps will be saddled with.

WB: This really falls on where they finish the Big Ten Tournament. If they win it all, 2 seed. If they make the final, 3 seed. Anything else, a 4 seed. I feel like plenty of upsets could happen to help Maryland along the way, so I believe they’ll get a 3 seed this year.

RM: In the latest Bracketology by Joe Lunardi of ESPN, Maryland is the No. 5 team in the West Region. The Terps has a chance to move up to the No. 4 and maybe the No. 3 spot but it depends on their success in the Big Ten Tournament. Since I don’t see Maryland winning the conference championship, I got them staying at that No. 5 spot.

JN: The shear possibility that this year’s highly profiled Maryland team coming into the season could receive a lower seed in the NCAA Tournament than last year’s squad (a No. 4 seed) absolutely astounds me. But, if the NCAA tournament tipped today, Maryland would be a number four or even five seed according to most of the projections. I believe Maryland will secure a number four seed in the tournament. It is unfortunate if Maryland does not end up grabbing a two or three seed because the second round match-ups at those few seeding spots higher become a little more favorable in the higher seeds favor still. When you slip into the potential four vs. five seed in the second round the game now essentially becomes a toss-up with then the number one seed still looming in the Sweet 16.

JR: I see Maryland as a 5 this year. That might seem slightly low given their rank, but they limped to the finish line and I think that has to count for something. A win against Wisconsin would obviously help, but unless they actually beat Michigan State, I don’t think the Terps get a 4+ seed.