COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) – Ranked No. 4 in the country after going 30-2 and being crowned Big Ten champions for a third consecutive year, Maryland was stunned and disappointed to receive a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
As if that wasn’t insulting enough, the Terrapins’ path the Final Four is impeded by potential matchups with Big 12 champion West Virginia, still-hated No. 2 seed Duke and yes, unbeaten and top-seeded UConn.
That’s a pretty harsh sentence for a team that swept through the schedule with only a couple of missteps: an 87-81 loss to Connecticut and a defeat on the road against Ohio State, which ended up sharing the regular season Big Ten title with Maryland.
Terps coach Brenda Frese, her players, friends, family and fans gathered at the team’s home arena Monday night to watch the selection show. Upon learning of Maryland’s fate, Frese forced a smile and shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen from the men’s or the women’s side, a team ranked top 4 in the country receive a 3 seed,” Frese said. “You know what? It’s not going to help you win or lose a game. We’ve got to go out and put our best foot forward.”