NEW YORK

The Terrapin men’s basketball team reminded everyone why it’s playing in the NIT last night.

After beating three mediocre teams on their home court, the Terps finally faced a semblance of a talented team.

This wasn’t Oral Roberts or Davidson. South Carolina had its ups and downs in the SEC, but the Gamecocks had some nice wins on their résumé, including a victory over Kentucky.

“It’s typical of the inconsistent play this year,” Terp coach Gary Williams said. “We couldn’t get into sync for whatever reason. We were impatient on offense, too many turnovers.”

So it’s no wonder Terp fans had that all-too-familiar sinking feeling when the Gamecocks stretched the lead to 14 points with less than a minute to go in the first half.

That was it. There was no reason to stay up for the second half and be even more irritated for your 8 a.m.

It was the same painful story playing out before everyone once again.

The Terps turned it over too much (21). They gave up too many offensive rebounds (20). They were miserable from the foul line (53 percent).

Maybe even more fittingly, they looked miserable playing with one another. The sentiments in the locker room were as suspected.

Everyone gritting their teeth, wanting to call out their teammates for a season that was difficult to watch and even more difficult to be a part of.

When asked what the team needed to do to improve for next season, Nik Caner-Medley spoke of “things inside the team.”

Travis Garrison said the Terps needed to improve their “mental toughness.” Williams may not only need a shooting instructor this offseason — he might want to invest in a shrink.

Perhaps the best remedy for the players is to go their own ways for a month or two. They could work out on their own or with some of the teammates they actually want to speak to.

Take a break. Give it some time.

Let John Gilchrist officially announce he is going pro and stop worrying about the ongoing circus around him. There probably isn’t one person in that locker room who believes he is going to be hooping in Comcast Center next year.

Gilchrist wasn’t available to the media last night and was not in the locker room when the team faced the media for the final time this season.

Surprising? Not really.

Watching a weary Williams in his post game press conference gave all indications he’s ready for a little R & R.

Williams has had to mold a group of underachievers, even though nearly everyone from last year’s ACC championship team returned.

He’s been more of a counselor this year than a basketball coach, dealing more with the unrest inside his team than the opposition the Terps are facing on the court.

But there is always another season, and for the first time in over a decade Terp fans are not one of the top dogs. They were an average basketball team that played hard when they wanted, but had no problem mailing it in, especially when it actually meant something.

Let Gary and company take some time to quell the unrest from a tumultuous season — they sure need it.