Maryland wins first NCAA title

Baltimore Sun ^ | 4/1/02 | Jim O'Connell

[nunya bidness]

ATLANTA - Maryland didn't look like Maryland until it mattered. Now the Terrapins are national champions.

With All-American guard Juan Dixon snapping out of a scoring drought just in time, Maryland ended Indiana's magical tournament run with a 64-52 victory Monday night.

This was the Terrapins' first appearance in a national championship game and the senior-laden lineup came through over the final 9:42, pulling away from the Hoosiers to become the fourth straight No. 1 seed and eighth in the last 10 years to win it all.

[al-andalus]

But for the 1-point upset to IU, Duke and Maryland would have met tonight. That would have been one wicked game.

[BarHopper]

Being a defensive soccer player, I am used to that line. If the offense has trouble, its a poorly played game not a well played defensive game.

[evad]

Fear the Turtle...

I know they scared the hell outta me.

Hey all you Dooooook fans...be sure to boil the feet and beak on that CROW!!!.. It'll make it go down easier ;-)

[rbmillerjr]

Indiana was the hot team with motivation but clearly outmatched, Maryland gave them opportunities all through the game and still one, but a nice effort by the Hoosiers. That Fife guy only had 11pts, it seemed like he hit 7 3s lol.

Kentucky, Uconn, Kansas, Indiana

down down down down

[Chief Inspector Clouseau]

Probably one of the worst played championship games ever.

You can thank Indiana and the hacking Big Ten style for that...BUT...they had to give themselves their best chance to win, and they did indeed have a chance to win this game against a MUCH more talented team.

If you had watched the Terps all year, you'd know that they won every kind of game imaginable...up-tempo, slow-down, bombing from 3, or banging on the glass. They are truly the best team in the nation and showed it by winning a contest in which they were forced out of their game by a well-coached, well-drilled Indiana team. And it helped that no team in the country has an answer for Juan Dixon.

I agree it's a bummer that the game wasn't a work of art...but that's what IU had to do. Did you see the MD-UConn game? THAT ONE that should be on ESPN Classic!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TERPS!!!!!

[evad]

Did you catch that Final Four game last year where Duke stole the game from Maryland in the second half when the Terps had 22 points lead???

Sure did...the refs stole that one. They all hate Maryland...the whole ACC hates Maryland. Makes it all the sweeter.

Packer almost made me barf...he is so blatently "tobacco road" it's enuf to make you scream.

[BarHopper]

I agree, I picked Duke/Maryland in the finals. But IU just showed some real grit. Being a DUKIE thats hard to swallow but, remember they're just kids.

[hole_n_one]

But for the 1-point upset to IU, Duke and Maryland would have met tonight.

If not for but for's and what if's, I'd be a 16 time All-Star for the N.Y. Yankees with a career .450 batting average .

[hole_n_one]

............I forgot to mention the 14 Gold Gloves.

[hole_n_one]

....and the 9 MVP's

[nunya bidness]

Don't forget that green jacket.

[oldvike]

Have the students wiped out maryland yet.

Actually, the little sons of bitches have already begun tearing the campus apart. ESPN just showed some of the rioting. Sickening.

[hole_n_one]

lol!

[rbmillerjr]

Maryland Kentucky,Uconn, Kansas, Indiana consecutively, taking out the best the SEC,BigEast, Big12, and Big10 had to offer.......and beat Duke big the last time the played, We Terp fans knew this team had a shot all year because of the depth.

[Chief Inspector Clouseau]

Yep, that's a truly amazing run...the interesting thing is that UConn may very well be the 2nd-best team in the country right now. If Butler somehow doesn't go to the NBA, UConn will be monsters next year (of course, the same can be said of the Terps if Wilcox doesn't go pro...)

[rbmillerjr]

I think Wilcox could use another year to develop his one on one skills,,,,,,maybe we'll get lucky,,,,,we did with LB EJ Henderson LOL.

[GnL]

The Turtle Be Feared!

[Arkinsaw]

Congratulations to the Marylanders, its a good feeling to win the whole thing isn't it.

It doesn't matter if it was ugly or not, its still a National Championship and against a legendary program.

I am sure that Indiana is disappointed but the evidence is in, their program is back on track and they can put Bobby Knight behind them now.

[rbmillerjr]

Thanks for having the class to acknowledge a great accomplishment.

As for the people saying it was ugly - I suggest that if they want style points they go watch the manly sport of figure skating and payoff a Russian judge Lmao.

[RamsNo1]

Sloppy game or not, Maryland was tired. They beat the top seed in every bracket they played and they only beat Kansas a couple days ago. Way to go Maryland and the great Gary Williams! Number Juan!