WASHINGTON — Gary Williams still works in the University of Maryland athletic department, but he forever will be the head coach of the Terrapins team that won the NCAA men’s basketball title in 2002. And he shared his unique perspective with WTOP Friday morning.
The current Terrapins team is the fifth seed in the NCAA South Region, but Maryland enters the tournament with five losses in its last eight games. Still, Maryland looked good in its Big Ten Tournament defeat to Michigan State and has collected 25 wins.
“We have all seen Maryland at a level where they can go as far as anyone,” said Williams. “I really believe when they play their best basketball, they are there. If you look at a season where you win 25 games, it is hard to be critical. It is a matter of playing to your level. You don’t have to play above your level, especially a team with the talent Maryland has, but you have to play to your level.”
Preseason expectations for Maryland were high, with some analysts labeling the Terrapins as favorites to win it all. Of late, there has been doubt and criticism around the Maryland program and that has led players like Melo Trimble admitting that they are now playing with a “chip on their shoulder.”
A “chip” might be the spur the Terrapins need in the NCAA tournament.
“We felt that we should have beaten Duke in the semifinals in 2001 and that was our chip the year we won it,” Williams said. “We were dedicated to giving ourselves another chance. The Terps this year are tired of hearing about how good they should have been and that is their chip and you need something like that to focus on.”
The NCAA Tournament has always been a stage for upsets, but now the intrigue has been heightened by an increased parity among teams.
“Players have no fear anymore,” Williams noted. “There used to be almost a respect for certain teams that they were better than everybody, but everybody comes after you now. All these guys know each other from the summertime playing in different tournaments around the country. The idea that what is across the front of your uniform makes you a good team doesn’t hold water with a lot of players anymore.”
The Terrapins take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Local viewers can catch the game on TBS.
