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The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable achievements stretching back to the 1930s. The team has experienced both triumphs and setbacks over the years, but has consistently been a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. With influential coaches and standout players, the Terrapins have made their mark in various tournaments, including the NCAA and NIT championships, as well as conference tournaments. The team's performance has fluctuated over time, but their impact on the sport and their dedication to the game remain undeniable. So, with this context in mind, who are the key players and what can we expect from the upcoming 'Who Got Next' basketball tournament in Maryland?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Maryland Terrapins |
| Coach | Gary Williams |
| Notable Players | Dez Wells, Melo Trimble, Diamond Stone, Robert Carter, Rasheed Sulaimon, Jake Layman, Len Bias, Lonnie Baxter, Louis "Bosey" Berger |
| Notable Games | 2014-15 Big Ten Season (first Big Ten season), 2001 Final Four, 1930-31 Southern Conference Tournament |
| Achievements | 1965 Sugar Bowl Tournament Championship, National Invitation Tournament Championship, Two Atlantic Coast Conference Regular Season Championships, Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Championship, 1964-65 Second Place Finish |
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What You'll Learn
Maryland Terrapins men's basketball
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team has a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements and a few setbacks over the years.
One of their earliest successes came in the 1930-31 season when they finished second in the conference and went on to win the Southern Conference tournaments, defeating Louisiana State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky. The team's first individual star, Louis "Bosey" Berger, emerged during this period, solidifying his place in All-America teams for both seasons. The team's performance remained competitive throughout the decade, but they couldn't replicate the triumphs of the early 1930s.
In the mid-1960s, coach Bud Millikan steered the program back to success, finishing second in 1964-65 and maintaining a winning record. However, he was replaced by Frank Fellows, whose tenure was less remarkable. The University of Maryland then hired Charles "Lefty" Driesell in 1969, who ambitiously aimed to make Maryland the "UCLA of the East." Driesell fell short of that goal but still led the Terrapins to notable accomplishments, including eight NCAA tournament appearances, a National Invitation Tournament championship, and multiple conference championships.
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball program faced a challenging period following the death of their star player, Len Bias, in 1986. Gary Williams, a Maryland alumnus, was appointed head coach in 1989, bringing much-needed stability. Williams had already proven his coaching prowess at Ohio State, with one NCAA tournament appearance and two NIT appearances in three seasons. His Maryland playing career also gave him a deep understanding of the program's culture and traditions.
Under Williams' leadership, the Terrapins achieved significant milestones. In 2001, he guided them to their first Final Four in school history, a remarkable feat despite a heartbreaking loss to Duke in the semifinals. The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team continued to excel, and in the 2024-25 season, they achieved a remarkable feat—both the men's and women's basketball teams finished within the top 15 in the final AP Top 25 rankings. This accomplishment solidified their place among elite company, joining only Duke and Tennessee as schools that have achieved this rare double success.
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2014-15 Terrapins
The 2014–15 Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team played their first Big Ten season, finishing with a record of 14–4 and placing second. The team was led by senior star Dez Wells and freshman Melo Trimble, who was named a second-team All American by The Sporting News. In the NCAA tournament, the Terrapins defeated #13 Valparaiso 65–62 in the first round but lost 69–59 to fifth-seeded West Virginia in the second round.
The 2014–15 Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team, meanwhile, represented the University of Maryland, College Park in the 2014–15 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. They were led by thirteenth-year head coach Brenda Frese and played their home games at the Xfinity Center. The 2014-15 Lady Terrapins won the 2014-15 Big Ten regular season Championship and the 2015 Big Ten Conference women's basketball tournament in their inaugural year as a member of the Big Ten. They were the third women's basketball programme in the Big Ten to go undefeated in the conference. The team received an automatic entry to the NCAA women's basketball tournament, where they advanced to the final four but lost to national champions Connecticut.
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Terrapins' first Big Ten basketball game
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I competition. The Terrapins played their first Big Ten basketball game in 2014, the same year they left the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to join the Big Ten Conference.
The 2014-15 Terrapins were led by senior star Dez Wells and freshman Melo Trimble. Maryland won their first Big Ten game in a 68-66 double-overtime thriller against Michigan State. The team finished their first Big Ten season with a 14-4 record, coming second. Their coach, Turgeon, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
The Terrapins have a rich basketball history, with 102 seasons under their belt and an overall record of 1,678–1,109 as of the 2024-25 season. They have appeared in 31 NCAA tournaments and won their conference tournament four times. The team has also cultivated several rivalries over the years, including with the Duke Blue Devils, the Michigan Wolverines, and Wisconsin.
In their first Big Ten Tournament game of 2025, the Maryland Terrapins had a double bye, delaying their first game until 14 March. They faced one of three potential opponents: the Fighting Illini, whom they had convincingly beaten earlier in the season; Illinois, led by freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis; or Indiana, who had a strong record against Maryland.
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Terrapins' head coach Gary Williams
Gary Williams, a Maryland alumnus, was announced as the next head coach of the Maryland Terrapins on June 13, 1989. Williams had previously held head coaching positions at American University, Boston College, and Ohio State, leading each team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
Williams took over the Maryland Terrapins during a difficult period for the basketball program, which was reeling from the death of star player Len Bias in 1986 and struggling under former coach Bob Wade. Despite these challenges, Williams successfully led the Terrapins to numerous achievements during his tenure. In 2001, he guided the team to their first Final Four in school history, although they lost to Duke in the semifinals.
Williams' most notable accomplishment came in 2002 when he led the Terrapins to their first and only NCAA National Championship, defeating Indiana 64–52. This made Williams the first coach to win a national championship without a single McDonald's All-American on the roster. The 2002 team also set a school record with 32 wins and claimed the school's first outright ACC title in 22 years.
In addition to the national championship, Williams' tenure with the Terrapins included seven Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and two Final Fours. He also led the team to three ACC regular-season titles and an ACC tournament title in 2004. Williams amassed an impressive record of 447–240 during his time at Maryland and was recognized as the ACC Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2010.
Williams announced his retirement from coaching basketball in 2011, but he has remained connected to the Maryland athletic department as Assistant Athletic Director and Special Assistant to the Athletic Director. In recognition of his contributions, the playing surface at the XFINITY Center was renamed "Gary Williams Court" in his honor.
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Terrapins' 2001 Final Four loss
In 2001, the Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team, led by coach Gary Williams, made their first appearance in the Final Four in school history. They faced Duke in the semifinals, in what was the fourth meeting between the two schools that season. Despite leading by as many as 22 points in the first half and being up by 11 at halftime, the Terrapins ultimately lost to Duke, with a final score of 95-84.
The loss was largely attributed to several controversial fouls that hindered the Terps' defense, including a questionable fifth foul call on Lonnie Baxter with 2:48 remaining in the game. The defeat left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Terrapins players and fans, who felt that the referees' calls had played a significant role in the outcome.
The game, known as the "Gone in 54 Seconds" game, was a heart-wrenching moment for the Terrapins, as they had come so close to advancing but saw their lead slip away in the final minutes. Duke's win at Cole Field House was a remarkable comeback, as they had been down by 10 points with less than a minute left on the clock.
The rivalry between Maryland and Duke was intense, and the loss in the Final Four served as a turning point for the Terrapins. It motivated them to work harder and come back stronger in the following season. The experience taught them the importance of playing harder and staying connected as a team.
The 2001-2002 season also saw the Terrapins bounce back from the disappointment of the previous year. Under the leadership of coach Gary Williams, they went on to have a successful season, building on the lessons learned from their loss to Duke in the Final Four.
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Frequently asked questions
The Maryland Terrapins.
The Maryland Terrapins have had several notable achievements, including:
- Eight NCAA tournament appearances
- A National Invitation Tournament championship
- Two Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championships
- One Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship
- One Southern Conference tournament championship
Some notable coaches and players for the Maryland Terrapins include:
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell: Head coach who led the team to eight NCAA tournament appearances and multiple championships.
- Gary Williams: Former player and head coach, led the team to their first Final Four in 2001.
- Len Bias: A star player who passed away in 1986.
- Dez Wells: Senior star of the 2014-15 team.
- Melo Trimble: Freshman sensation of the 2014-15 team, named a second-team All American.
