For Maryland basketball, the season has come to a close, and not in the way they had hoped. The Terps fell to Iowa, 75-64, in the Big Ten tournament's second round, marking the end of a challenging year. Maryland wraps up with a 12-21 record, tying for the most losses in program history and marking their third losing season in five years-quite a shift from their previous decades of success.
Head coach Buzz Williams, reflecting on the season, acknowledged the complexities involved. "It's probably a little too early for me to give a comprehensive answer to it," he noted, highlighting the mix of controllable and uncontrollable factors that shaped their journey.
The game itself was a tale of two halves. Maryland couldn't counter a devastating 21-0 run by Iowa in the second half. Despite winning the rebounding battle, the Terps' turnovers were costly, leading to a deficit they couldn't overcome.
Darius Adams led the scoring for Maryland with 14 points, followed by Diggy Coit and Isaiah Watts, each adding 12. Adams finished strong, shooting 6-for-7, showcasing his late-season surge. However, Andre Mills struggled, managing only nine points on 1-for-13 shooting, a stark contrast to his recent form.
Williams highlighted Iowa's defensive prowess, acknowledging their top-ranked ability to force turnovers. "There's a reason why they're number one in the league at defensive turnovers," he said, praising their aggressive style.
The Terps had their moments, notably a 15-0 run in the first half, with Watts hitting three crucial three-pointers. Yet, Iowa responded, narrowing Maryland's lead to just one at halftime. Despite a brief spark from Mills with a second-half three, the momentum quickly shifted back to Iowa.
Cooper Koch and Bennett Stirtz delivered key threes for Iowa, sparking their decisive run and putting the game out of reach. Maryland managed to cut the deficit to single digits late, but it was too little, too late.
Looking ahead, Maryland faces a pivotal offseason. With some promising pieces to build around, the focus will be on retention and development. After a season filled with challenges, the path forward for Williams and his team is filled with questions and opportunities for growth.