2011-2012 Maryland Terrapins College Basketball Preview:
This year will be the 40th anniversary of Maryland Terrapins' Midnight Madness celebration which hearkens back to when the ex-coach of the organization, Lefty Driesell, used to take his players out for late night conditioning drills. New head coach Mark Turgeon won't be running his new squad at odd hours but will certainly be looking to establish his team in the ACC this year.
The former Texas A&M coach saw four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament and was Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011. His main strength is being able to build teams up to be contenders for a championship in a short amount of time.
This season will see local hero Spencer Barks build himself up after an impressive high Maryland career. The 6' 9" forward is said to have focused on his strength and conditioning during the summer to provide better endurance on defense. Along with incoming freshman Nick Faust proving more help on the wing, the Terps hoping to develop and inside-outside game that brings the team to a tournament appearance this year.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS BAKSETBALL INFORMATION:
Location: College Park, Maryland
Stadium: Comcast Center
Conference: ACC Conference
Rivals: Duke Blue Devils
Terrapins: Testudo the Turtle
The Maryland Terrapins have played intercollegiate basketball since 1904. The Terps won the NCAA Tournament in 2002, and as of 2007 they’ve made 2 Final Four appearances, hold 3 conference tournament titles, and 4 conference regular season titles. Coach Williams managed to lead the team to 11 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1994 to 2004. Some of the great players to wear the red and white include John Lucas, Len Bias, Walt Williams, Joe Smith, and Steve Francis.
The Maryland Terps have a deeply-rooted set of student traditions for each home basketball game. Before each game, Coach Gary Williams pumps his fists to signify a good game. Other traditions include:
Midnight Madness: started by Maryland head coach Lefty Driesell in 1970, Midnight Madness was a student event held at the earliest time the men's basketball team could start regular season practice - at midnight on the first day of practice. Today, the tradition has evolved so that parents and fans can join in the fun, featuring light shows, the Terrapins trampoline challenge, food and beverage.
Free Throw Wave: When the Terrapins are shooting free throws, students hold their arms over their heads. If the shot is made, thy will drop them to their side while uttering "whoomp." When an opposing team is shooting from the free throw line, the students will wave their arms frantically to distract the shooter.
Newspaper Shaking: Maryland students pretend to read the Maryland newspaper when the opposing team is introduced. As if that is enough to show their antipathy for the visiting team, they tack-on a "sucks" to the end of every opposing player's name when it is announced. (e.g. Joe Smith (students: "Sucks!"))
The Terrapins play their home games at the Comcast Center in College Park, Maryland. “The House Gary Built” was opened in 2002 and holds a capacity crowd of nearly 18,000. The arena has seen some incredible games including Maryland’s defeat of #1 Duke in 2003 and more recently their upset of the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2007. Buy Maryland basketball tickets and watch the Terrapins vie for conference and NCAA Tournament honors!
See Also:
Maryland Terrapins ACC Tournament tickets
Maryland Terrapins NCAA Tournament tickets
Maryland Terrapins Final Four tickets
Maryland Terrapins Football tickets
Maryland Terrapins Basketball Ticket Information:
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