Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Let's Get Started

Introduction
My name is Jeremy and I've been a die hard Maryland Basketball fan since as long as I can remember. I'm currently a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland looking for a career in sports broadcasting. Hopefully you'll be watching on ESPN 10 years down the line. But for now you'll have to settle for me griping about the ups and downs of what is Maryland Basketball.

Memories as a Terps Fan
First thing I want to clarify: I'm not one of those fans just cheer for their team because they go to the school. I go further back than that.

I remember feeling like my heart was ripped out of my chest when Duke came back from a 10 point deficit with 50 seconds left in 2001 to demoralize the Terps. I was even more depressed later on that year when Duke came back from another large deficit to defeat the Terps in the national semifinal. I also remember the elation of the following season when I watched Juan Dixon, Lonny Baxter and Steve Blake lead the Terps to their first national title. I also remember the joy of Maryland's improbable run to an ACC Title in 2004.

No one can argue that Terrapin basketball has been a rollercoaster ride over the years. Even before my time Maryland had its high and low points. From the great Lefty Driesell teams of the 70s and 80s to the Lenn Bias tragedy to the dark era under coach Bob Wade, Maryland has seen both ends of the spectrum.

The Here and Now
This season has been surprise, surprise... an inconsistent one. The Terps got off to one of the worst starts in recent memory with bad losses to Ohio and American at the Comcast Center. Then after a tough start in ACC play Maryland came up with the completely unexpected win in Chapel Hill over the #1 ranked Tar Heels. Maryland now enters a very important part of their season which will determine if they are NCAA Tournament bound. At 4-3 in the ACC Maryland looks to separate themselves from the middle of the pack with a win over a tough BC team. After that it's NC State and then Duke. Will we see the team that lost to American or the team that beat UNC during the final stretch? I can't wait to find out.


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