Loss to Wisconsin Cannot Be Spun Into a Plus and Victory Over Minnesota on Thursday is a Must

BALTIMORE, Maryland February 15, 2016 - I don't know about this Maryland team.  I love it.  But it's a blind love that comes with being an alumni.  I think I love the team for what it is: very good, potentially great.  But while it is very good and it can be great, it is also lacking a certain team-wide determination, not to give its best - the kids give their all every night - but to win.  In 2001, when Maryland won the National Title, the kids on that team would not be denied.  You could see it in the big games, when other good teams were throwing everything at them.  I remember, in particular, the regonal final when Connecticut looked for all the world like they were going to win.  Juan Dixon would not let that happen.  When Martyland desperately needed a basket, he got them three points.  Lonnie Baxter and Steve Wilcox were so utterly in control of the boards on big misses that the other teams maty just as well have surrendered.  And Gary Williams, well, he was a great tactician and a bad recruiter who found his element with that team and it was glorious to see.  This team, this 2016 team, is right there.  Right at the precipice.  But they let Wisconsin beat them on Saturday night, and these are a lot of the same guys who faded late in the season last year.  They exited the Big Ten Tournament way too early, and then exited the NCAA in the second round after damn near losing to Valparaiso in the first round.  The West Virginia game was ugly because the Mountaineers imposed their will on Maryland.  They beat up Melo Trimble so bad that he left early.  And nobody else stepped up in a very physical game.  I thought Sulaimon was the answer to that problem.  Maybe he is.  But the hour glass is ticking.

The game at Minnesota on Thursday will be a huge test.  The Gophers are at the bottom of the standings but they are playing well now.  They almost beat Iowa on Sunday at the Hawkeyes' home court.  It was a four point game.  If Maryland doesn't go into Minnesota and play like a champion, they will lose.

And if Maryland loses at Minnesota, then I will know, and you will know, that there is some kind of open wound on the team and Turgeon will have his hands full to avoid another finish like 2015.  Maryland needs to beat Minnesota, it doesn't matter by how many.  A one point win at this time of the year will be fine.  But they have to win.