The Maryland men’s basketball team claimed a No. 6-seed in the NCAA tournament bracket released Sunday, making its third straight appearance in the Big Dance. The Terps were placed in the West Region and will play No. 11-seed Xavier on Thursday in Orlando, Florida.
If the Terps win, they’ll play the winner of No. 3-seed Florida State vs. No. 14-seed Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday.
Maryland (24-8, 12-6 Big Ten) ended the season ranked No. 25 before losing to Northwestern, 72-64, in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals on Friday.
Despite tying for second in the Big Ten regular season, the Terps failed to capture a marquee victory, losing to the conference’s top two teams, Purdue and Wisconsin. Kenpom ranks the Terps as the 45th best team in the nation.
Last season, Maryland received a No. 5-seed and made its first Sweet 16 since 2003. Guard Melo Trimble is the lone returning starter from that squad.
Maryland is one of seven Big Ten teams to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
