Amanda Knapp
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes. In the 1930–31 season, the team won the Southern Conference tournaments, beating Louisiana State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky in a five-day span. The team also boasted star player Louis Bosey Berger, who was named to All-America teams for two consecutive seasons. In the late 1960s, coach Charles Lefty Driesell added nearly 3,000 seats to the Cole Field House, creating a more intimate atmosphere and a strong home-court advantage. Driesell led the Terrapins to eight NCAA tournament appearances, a National Invitation Tournament championship, and two Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championships. More recently, in March 2025, Maryland beat Colorado State with a stunning buzzer beater by Derik Queen, advancing to the Sweet 16. While the team has had its triumphs, there have also been setbacks and close calls, with the outcome of each game uncertain until the final moments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 March 2025 |
| Competition | NCAA tournament |
| Opponent | Colorado State |
| Result | Win |
| Score | Not specified |
| Player of the Match | Derik Queen |
| Coach | Not specified |
| Notable Players | Len Elmore, Len Bias, Nick Faust, Alex Len |
| Fan Club | Turgeonites |
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What You'll Learn
- Maryland Terrapins men's basketball has a rich history, including several tournament wins
- The team's performance in the 1930s was notable, with wins against Louisiana State and Kentucky
- The team's first individual star was Louis Bosey Berger, a notable player named to All-America teams
- The University of Maryland's coach, Charles Lefty Driesell, led the team to multiple tournament appearances and wins
- Maryland's basketball team has a strong fan base, with traditions such as Fear the Turgeon and dedicated fan clubs
Maryland Terrapins men's basketball has a rich history, including several tournament wins
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has a long history of success, with numerous tournament wins and notable achievements. The team's history can be traced back to the early 1930s, when they first adopted the nickname "Terrapins." During this formative period, Maryland experienced significant success, finishing second in the conference in 1930–31 before going on to win the Southern Conference tournaments, defeating Louisiana State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky in a remarkable five-day stretch. They continued their winning streak by claiming the conference regular-season crown the following year.
In 1969, Charles "Lefty" Driesell was hired by the University of Maryland, with the ambitious goal of making the Terrapins the "UCLA of the East," referring to the nation's leading college basketball program at the time. While Driesell fell short of this lofty aspiration, his leadership was instrumental in guiding the Terrapins to significant achievements. During his tenure, the team made eight NCAA tournament appearances, claimed a National Invitation Tournament championship, and secured two Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season championships, along with one ACC tournament championship.
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has left an indelible mark on the sport, with a total of 30 NCAA tournament appearances and four conference tournament wins as of the 2024–25 season. One of their most memorable runs was during the 2001–02 season, when they clinched their first NCAA National Championship under the leadership of Coach Williams. Their historic campaign included victories against four consecutive former champions: Kentucky, UConn, Kansas, and Indiana, whom they defeated 64–52 in the final.
The Terrapins have also come agonizingly close to winning the ACC tournament, losing to the eventual national champion, North Carolina State, in the 1974 ACC men's basketball tournament final. This particular game is remembered as one of the greatest Atlantic Coast Conference games ever played and one of the best in college basketball history. The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team continues to strive for excellence, with recent seasons marked by notable performances, such as Cliff Tucker's buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Georgia Tech, and remains a consistent presence in the world of college basketball.
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The team's performance in the 1930s was notable, with wins against Louisiana State and Kentucky
The performance of the Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team in the 1930s was notable, with wins against Louisiana State and Kentucky. The team's biggest success came in the early 1930s when they won the Southern Conference tournaments, beating Louisiana State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky over five days. This was also around the time the team adopted its nickname, the Terrapins, and the school erected a new home for the basketball team, the Ritchie Coliseum.
The 1930s were a significant period for basketball as a sport, with the game undergoing many changes and college basketball experiencing a revival. The first national collegiate tournament was held in Kansas City, Missouri, and the first National Collegiate Athletic Association-sponsored tournament took place in 1939. Basketball was only 39 years old at the start of the decade, and professional teams struggled financially due to the Depression. However, semi-pro leagues and company-run teams allowed the sport to prosper, and women's basketball gained popularity.
The Maryland Terrapins remained competitive throughout the 1930s, although they never quite matched the achievements of their early successes. The team's first individual star was Louis "Bosey" Berger, who was named to All-America teams in the 1930-31 and 1931-32 seasons. The team also won the conference regular-season crown in the 1931-32 season.
In more recent years, the Terrapins have continued to find success, appearing in 30 NCAA tournaments and winning their conference tournament four times. They won the NCAA National Championship in 2002, and their mascot, a diamondback terrapin named Testudo, remains a beloved symbol of the team.
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The team's first individual star was Louis Bosey Berger, a notable player named to All-America teams
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has had its fair share of success over the years. The team's first individual star was Louis Bosey Berger, a notable player who was named to All-America teams in 1931 and 1932. He also lettered in football and baseball and was an All-Southern baseball player in 1932.
Louis Bosey Berger was a standout athlete at the University of Maryland, participating in three different sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His achievements in basketball, however, were particularly notable, earning him the recognition of being the team's first individual star.
During his time at the University of Maryland, Berger excelled on the basketball court, consistently showcasing his talent and contributing to the team's success. His performance stood out, earning him a place on the All-America teams on two separate occasions. In both 1931 and 1932, his talent was recognised, solidifying his legacy in the history of Maryland basketball.
Beyond his accomplishments on the basketball court, Berger also left his mark in football and baseball. He lettered in all three sports, demonstrating his versatility and excellence as an athlete. While his basketball achievements were groundbreaking, his talent in the other two sports further emphasised his all-around athletic prowess.
The legacy of Louis Bosey Berger at the University of Maryland continues to be remembered. His name is forever etched in the annals of Maryland basketball, serving as an inspiration for future generations of athletes donning the Terrapins jersey. Berger's success on the court set a precedent for excellence, and his impact on the team's early years was instrumental in shaping the program's future trajectory.
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The University of Maryland's coach, Charles Lefty Driesell, led the team to multiple tournament appearances and wins
Charles "Lefty" Driesell, an American coaching legend, joined the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1969. During his introductory press conference, Driesell stated that Maryland "has the potential to be the UCLA of the East Coast or I wouldn't be here," referring to the nation's top college basketball programme. While Driesell did not achieve this lofty goal, he certainly elevated the team's performance.
During his 17 seasons at the helm, Driesell guided Maryland to numerous tournament appearances and victories. He led the Terrapins to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship in 1972, and an NIT appearance in 1974, where they lost to North Carolina State University in overtime. Maryland also finished the 1974-75 season as ACC regular-season champions and placed 5th in the country.
In addition, Driesell's Maryland team won two Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season championships and one ACC tournament championship in 1984. Maryland was consistently ranked highly during Driesell's tenure, reaching as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press rankings for four consecutive seasons from 1972 to 1976. They also represented the United States in the 1974 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, winning the title with an undefeated record.
Driesell's impact extended beyond the court. Known for his motivational techniques, he instilled a strong work ethic in his players, emphasising the importance of teamwork. His passion for coaching and his ability to build successful programmes are well-recognised, and he is remembered fondly by former players and colleagues.
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Maryland's basketball team has a strong fan base, with traditions such as Fear the Turgeon and dedicated fan clubs
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has a strong and dedicated fan base, with a rich history of passionate supporters. The team's fans have a number of unique traditions and rituals, including "Fear the Turgeon", a play on the school's motto, "Fear the Turtle". This tradition emerged with the arrival of Mark Turgeon, the head coach of the University of Maryland, College Park, from 2011 to 2021. Turgeon, a former college basketball player and coach at various universities, inspired a fan club called the "Turgeonites", who dressed like him on game days.
The Maryland basketball team's fan base also has a long-standing tradition of Midnight Madness, which was started by coach Lefty Driesell and has since spread nationwide. This tradition involves holding the first practice of the season at midnight on October 15th, the earliest date allowed by NCAA rules. Driesell's tradition included a one-mile run, which initially left players too fatigued, but soon became a way to build excitement for the upcoming season, with a large crowd of fans in attendance.
Cole Field House, the team's venue from 1955, also contributed to the team's fan base and home-court advantage. With a capacity of 14,596, it was one of the largest college gymnasiums on the East Coast during the explosive growth of college basketball in the 1950s to 1970s. The intimate atmosphere, with fans right along the court, made it one of the best home courts in the country, with a high number of upsets against top-ranked opponents.
The Xfinity Center, which opened in 2002, has also contributed to the team's strong fan base, ranking 5th nationally in attendance in its first season. The team's average attendance of 17,566 fans per game demonstrated the dedicated fan following, with Maryland consistently ranking in the top 10 nationally in attendance over several years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Maryland hit a stunning buzzer beater in a back-and-forth finish with Colorado State, with Derik Queen hitting a fadeaway buzzer beater to send the Terrapins to the Sweet 16.
No, in fact, Maryland is considered one of the greatest teams never to have participated in the tournament. In the 1970s, only the winner of a conference tournament would earn a bid to enter, and it was Maryland's exclusion that forced an expansion to allow more than one team per conference.
The current coach is unknown, but the previous coach was Mark Turgeon, who inherited an average roster with players such as James Padgett, Sean Mosley, Pe'Shon Howard, and Terrell Stoglin.
Some notable players for Maryland include Len Bias, considered one of the best college basketball players of all time, as well as Len Elmore, who was one of the best shot-blockers ever to play in the league, and Louis "Bosey" Berger, the team's first individual star.
Some notable achievements include winning the Southern Conference tournaments in 1930-31, beating Louisiana State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky. They also won the conference regular-season crown the following year. More recently, Maryland has been a favorite to win tournaments and has advanced to the conference semifinals.
