SPOKANE, Wash. — The fifth-seeded Maryland Terrapins still might be the biggest underachievers in college basketball this season. But they’re also among the teams headed for the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
Two days after sweating out a victory over No. 12 seed South Dakota State, Maryland, once considered a contender for the national title, subdued No. 13 seed Hawaii 73-60 Sunday at Spokane Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
“Are we playing our best basketball?’’ Maryland coach Mark Turgeon said. “We're getting closer to that.’’
No time to waste.
Maryland (27-8) will play No. 1 seed Kansas (32-4) Thursday in the NCAA tournament South regional in Louisville, Ky. while making its first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2003 — the year after it won the national championship.
Loaded with talent, the Terrapins ranked No. 3 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll and opened the season 15-1 — the best start in school history. But after Maryland beat Bowie State handily on Feb. 9 and improved to 22-3, the Terrapins lost five of their next eight games heading into the NCAA tournament where it opened with South Dakota State.
On Sunday, trailing Hawaii 41-39 with 10 1/2 minutes to play in the round of 32, Maryland went on a 12-0 run. It got baskets from five players and opened up a comfortable it never relinquished.
The game ended spirited run for Hawaii (28-6), which in the opening round upset No. 4 Cal for its first-ever NCAA tournament victory. Hawaii’s fans, waving Ti leaves for good luck and chanting “Let’s Go Bows, Let’s Go Bows,’’ also left their mark on the tournament.
“Honestly, we have some of the best fans in the nation,’’ Hawaii forward Stefan Jankovic said.
Melo Trimble led Maryland with 24 points and Mike Thomas led Hawaii with 19 points.
Impressive at times and sloppy at others here in the opening two rounds of the NCAA tournament, Maryland held off South Dakota State 79-74 and against Hawaii looked equally erratic. After opening the game shooting 1-of-9 from the floor and falling behind 13-6, Maryland made its next seven shots and at the half led 28-27.
But midway through the second half, Maryland pulled away from the Rainbow Warriors and secured their spot in the Sweet 16.
“I know it's not the Final Four yet or national championship,’’ Turgeon said, “but to be a part of the Sweet 16 is a big step for us.’’
NCAA TOURNAMENT SECOND-ROUND HIGHLIGHTS