Minnesota is in the midst one of its worst basketball seasons in recent memory. Heading into Thursday the Golden Gophers were losers of their last 14, and winless in Big Ten play. No one expected Minnesota to buck that trend against the Maryland, No. 6 team in the country, even if the game was at home.
However, Minnesota pulled off the near-impossible, beating the Terrapins 68-63. For senior guard Joey King, the emotions of sealing one of the biggest upsets in school history were too much to hold back in the post-game interview.
If you haven't seen it yet, Joey King's post-win interview is a must watch. #SkiUMah https://t.co/xJ6Xy9PTWD
— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) February 19, 2016
As for Maryland, last night could be called nothing less than a disaster.
Things were looking up for No. 6 Terrapins heading into Thursday. The AP No. 3, 4 and 5 teams all lost the day prior, and Maryland was primed to move into a tie for first in the Big Ten with the inside lane for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
All Maryland had to do was avoid disaster against a moribund Minnesota team that had yet to win a conference game.
Whoops.
.@GoldytheGopher That’s why we #Gophers sing, Joey is our king! pic.twitter.com/AOo9TtXPmo
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) February 19, 2016
Of all the upsets in the last two days, this was by far the most embarrassing. Not only did Maryland lose to the worst team of the bunch, they tripped and face planted while trying to step through a wide open doorway of opportunity. At least the Terps’ embarrassment gave us one of the more heartwarming moments of the college basketball season. Surely those in College Park are just thrilled about that.
Maryland is still 22-5, and likely to snag a No. 3 seed or better come tournament time, but this loss will hurt for awhile. For those already thinking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Mark Titus has an interesting parallel for this Terrapin squad that you should take note of before picking them too far in your bracket.
Maryland fans, avert your eyes now.
@clubtrillion lol 2013 IU lost at Minnesota (who had lost 8 of their last 11 at the time) in February
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) February 19, 2016
Follow IU fans' blueprint:
"Anything can happen in tourney"
"Great recruits lined up"
"Look where we were 4 yrs ago" https://t.co/2y7NQUxdU7— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) February 19, 2016
Despite having two lottery picks and winning the Big Ten crown, that Indiana squad fell in the Sweet Sixteen. Maryland does not have the same star power, but they also do not have Tom Crean coaching them. It is tough to say if they will fare better than that IU team, but pick them to make the Final Four at your own risk.
