Multiple news outlets projected the Terps as a No. 5 seed.
No. 18 Maryland women’s basketball résumé has it perceived as a lock to make the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland has a 23-7 overall and 13-5 conference record. The Terps are ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press top-25 poll and No. 28 in NET ranking. They are also 8-5 against Quad 1 opponents, tied for the sixth-most in the nation. However, Maryland is 2-2 against Quad 2 opponents.
After losing to No. 5-seed Michigan, 98-71, in its first Big Ten Tournament game, Maryland’s spot heading into national tournament is more defined. The Terps were vying for a top-four seed heading into the conference tournament, with their hopes set on hosting the NCAA Tournament’s first two rounds. However, after Maryland exited Indianapolis early, that possibility dwindled tremendously.
The Terps are most likely to end up as a No. 5 or No. 6 seed, meaning they will travel and potentially play a true road game in the second round. A true road game may not be an issue for the Terps, though — they are 10-1 on the road this season.
Maryland compares to Kansas State, which could get a No. 4 seed. The Wildcats have three more wins and the same amount of losses, but have a 2-6 record against Quad 1 opponents and a 3-1 Quad 2 record.
According to ESPN’s Charlie Creme’s bracketology prediction, Maryland will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the Tar Heels will host the regional, as a fifth seed. The Terps would face Florida Gulf Coast, the predicted Atlantic Sun Champion, in the first round.
Mark Schindler of The Athletic and CBS Sports’ Connor Groel had Maryland hosting as a No. 4 seed. However, both of those predictions were released Friday, likely before Maryland lost to Michigan.
Other lower-recognized predictions slot Maryland as a No. 5 seed. Megan Gauer of Her Hoop Stats has Maryland traveling to Waco, Texas, where Baylor would host the regional. College Sports Madness predicts Maryland will travel to a regional hosted by Kentucky.
Based on several factors, including other bracketology predictions, below is a possible bracket result come Sunday.
Prediction by Ben Messinger | Template from NCAA.com
Based on this bracket, the Terps would probably have to get past Texas — who beat them 89-51 in January — to get to the Final Four. Maryland may also have to beat Duke; it defeated the Blue Devils, 85-80, in November.
Maryland will likely be the fourth-highest seed in the Big Ten, behind UCLA, USC and Ohio State. Eight other Big Ten teams are projected to make the tournament.
It is all speculation until Sunday, when the bracket is officially revealed. The Terps will host a Selection Sunday watch party to find out what matchup they draw.
In the meantime, Maryland has an additional week to prepare for the tournament.