Holmes: Lower Seed A Benefit for Introverted Terps
"We weren't upset with that. We knew we were a four or five. We lost some games down the stretch--we deserved a four or five."
There's a certain irony in that Mark Turgeon seemed genuinely calm and content with his team's fifth-seeded position in their respective bracket, given the chaos surrounding Maryland's program since the season's beginning. Though the chaos was predictable as a direct result of the Terrapins being at the very top of AP's preseason rankings, the unreasonably high expectations for Melo Trimble, Rasheed Sulaimon, and company undoubtedly wore them down as they crawled to the Big Ten finish line.
As a crowd of about twenty media members swarmed around the coach at Gary Williams Court during a press briefing before the team's travel day, the anxiousness to simply get away from the mob for while was apparent through Turgeon's body language. It was as if there was a sense of relief to get away from the pressure for a short while, though knowing soon after the South Dakota game it would come about again, regardless of result.
"I think it's a blessing for me. We're going to be out there, not a lot of people are going to be out there that we know. We can just really concentrate on basketball. Everything worked out for us travel wise," said Turgeon.
A brilliant point made by the coach. That freedom and tranquility is perhaps the most underrated aspect this trip, particularly for a team so young. The Maryland area can be full of angst, criticism, and impatience--a very northeast corridor mentality that can lead to frustration at the other end for the school's players, not to mention the media market isn't the most docile, specifically toward teams with high expectations. This isn't where Diamond Stone grew up. This isn't Milwaukee. The mentality of "It's alright. This team was expected to do great things. They won a couple of tournament games but just fell short. We'll get them next time with a new team." Being able to escape that angst, restart the engine, charge the batteries, clear the head and focus could do the program a lot of good during the madness.
The once unreasonably high expectations have been lowered because of Maryland's poor play down the stretch, but that in itself is a blessing. Very often in sports (perhaps too often) do we hear from team leaders who won it all look back and tell the sideline reporter "nobody gave us a chance!" Yes, that's because your team's play put a damper on striving expectations once higher. As corny as it may be, today's college basketball consists of very watered down play. Look no further than the very last game Maryland played in the Big Ten semi-finals against Michigan State--the Terrapins shot just 35 percent from the field, yet lost by just a few points against a team which looks to have top-seed potential and momentum.
As for momentum on Maryland's side, however, Turgeon admitted it's virtually non-existent in their locker room. "We don't think about that. We're 25-8 and we feel really good about ourselves. We got better last week, we got better this week. By 4:30 eastern we're going to be a lot better than we are right now. We're in a good spot. We're a good team that plays in a tough league."
Maryland's league, the Big Ten, is indeed one of the tougher conferences in college basketball. Turgeon has made a point to emphasize this perspective all year, time and time again resorting to the competitive environment at the top as an excuse for his team's exhaustion in games.
"When you get out of the league everyone takes a deep breath. They don't really know us--they don't know our plays or our style--South Dakota feels the same way. The league is really tough. It's nice to get out."
Again, while that may seem as somewhat of a waving of the white flag from the head coach as his team crumpled down the stretch in conference play, it's simply the truth and a benefit. The program could also use some momentum building from a few easy match-ups. By no means are they ready to take on a Cal. team just yet, but the fifth seed could allow for some warming up. All in all, it's a tough line Turgeon walks when discussing other team's skill level and whether they belong on the same court. Often during the regular season, Turgeon would say bites which might provide a grin or a cringe, depending on which side of the fence one fell. For instance, the Maryland coach was almost apologetic after playing Rutgers at home. "I feel for coach Jordan, I do. I've been on that other sideline. It's not easy as a smaller school when you're forced to play these games," Turgeon remarked.
With that being said, the Terrapins have the best of both worlds at the moment. Not only are they without question the more talented team, but they are literally forced to play a lesser team as a direct result of slumping toward the end of the regular season. It's also a benefit to not be in the national "bracketologist" crosshairs or going deep into President Obama's televised bracket. This isn't the kind of team that enjoys such publicity. They'll gladly leave that to the Kentucky's and the Kansas' of the country.
This team meshes most efficiently as quiet assassins, not boisterous NBA hopefuls, contrary to what their expectations would have you assume. Even their most extroverted leader, Rasheed Sulaimon, is more about interaction within locker rooms and team activities off the court than turning to the mic for proclamations of his roster. Melo Trimble and Jake Layman are known to be more subtle and passive. These temperaments can only work if they aren't forced to be more flamboyant and flashy. That isn't them, regardless of what your local radio hosts might say. A team can only be so under the radar in the NCAA tournament, but a few days out of the spotlight can only aid the secluded Terrapins' mental focus.
Ben Holmes is a sports reporter and producer for CBS Sports Radio in Baltimore MD. He covers Maryland Terrapins Basketball and Football for Baltimore's 105.7 The Fan. You can follow Ben on twitter@HomlesOnSports.
