The Maryland Terrapins enter their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2021 seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2016.
For the first time since 2021, the Maryland Terrapins heard their name called on Selection Sunday. In Kevin Willard’s first year as the head coach in College Park, the Terps earned a No. 8 seed in this year’s March Madness, their highest since 2019.
They are set to take part in the first of 32 games in the Round of 64, officially opening up this year’s tournament on Thursday, March 16 at Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama against the No. 9 seed West Virginia Mountaineers. CBS is set to provide live coverage starting at 12:15 p.m. ET.
The tournament hasn’t been all that kind to Maryland as of late, as they are seeking just their second trip to the second weekend since 2003 — and their first since 2016.
Following back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2001 and 2002, including a national championship in 2002, this is a program that has not had much March success.
Maryland Terrapins all-time NCAA tournament record
Maryland has made a total of 29 trips to the NCAA tournament, though their record from 1988 was vacated. Their overall record is 43-28 (42-27 excluding 1988).
They were a No. 1 seed when they won their 2002 national championship against the No. 5 seed Indiana Hoosiers.
Here’s a breakdown of how they’ve fared in their 22 appearances since the tournament expanded in 1985.
- Round of 64: 19-3
- Round of 32: 9-10
- Sweet 16: 2-7
- Elite 8: 2-0
- Final Four: 1-1
- National Championship: 1-0
- Overall: 34-21
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how the Terrapins have fared in some of the later rounds (since 1985).
What is the Maryland Terrapins’ Sweet 16 record?
- 2016 (No. 5): Lost to No. 1 Kansas, 79-63
- 2003 (No. 6): Lost to No. 7 Michigan State, 60-58
- 2002 (No. 1): Beat No. 4 Kentucky, 78-68
- 2001 (No. 3): Beat No. 10 Georgetown, 76-66
- 1999 (No. 2): Lost to No. 3 St. John’s, 76-62
- 1998 (No. 4): Lost to No. 1 Arizona, 87-79
- 1995 (No. 3): Lost to No. 2 Connecticut, 99-89
- 1994 (No. 10): Lost to No. 3 Michigan, 78-71
- 1985 (No. 5): Lost to No. 8 Villanova, 46-43
What is the Maryland Terrapins’ Elite 8 record?
- 2002 (No. 1): Beat No. 2 Connecticut, 90-82
- 2001 (No. 3): Beat No. 1 Stanford, 87-73
What is the Maryland Terrapins’ Final Four record?
- 2002 (No. 1): Beat No. 1 Kansas, 97-88
- 2001 (No. 3): Lost to No. 1 Duke, 95-84
What is the Maryland Terrapins’ National Championship Game record?
- 2002 (No. 1): Beat No. 5 Indiana, 64-52
Prior to 1985, they competed in the tournament seven times. Here’s a breakdown of how they fared.
- Round of 48: 2-0
- Round of 32: 3-2
- Round of 24: 1-0
- Sweet 16: 2-3
- Elite 8: 0-2
- Regional third place game: 1-0
- Overall: 9-7
Can this be the year Maryland gets back to the Sweet 16? They will likely have to go through the No. 1 overall seed Alabama Crimson Tide to advance past the first weekend for just the second time in the last two decades.