In addition to getting a rare look behind the scenes of the Maryland men’s basketball team, students have the chance to eat free pizza, win a “6th Man” T-shirt and be entered into an Under Armour prize drawing at an open practice Thursday.
For 90 minutes beginning at 8 p.m., the Terps will train at Xfinity Center with the arena open to students. A student ID is required to attend. Maryland opens its season Tuesday at home against Delaware.
The practice comes during a turbulent period for the university. Football coach DJ Durkin was reinstated Tuesday — only to be fired Wednesday — as university President Wallace Loh bucked the recommendation made by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.
The turmoil at Maryland Stadium may open an opportunity for Mark Turgeon and the Terps to recapture an Xfinity Center crowd that has dwindled in past seasons.
In 2015-16, Maryland’s 17,863 fans per game led the Big Ten and ranked fifth in the country. That tally dropped by about 1,000 fans in 2016-17, resulting in the Terps falling to second in the conference and seventh nationally. And last season, Maryland’s 14,675 fans per game ranked fifth in the Big Ten.
A lot of that is likely explained by the success of a team that finished 19-13 and 8-10 in the Big Ten last season, missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014.
The open practice is the latest effort to rejuvenate the fan base. Turgeon brought back the Midnight Mile, a tradition started by former coach Lefty Driesell, and handed out donuts on McKeldin Mall.
Maryland dominated Division II Lynn, 100-67, in an exhibition matchup Tuesday that displayed the talent of Maryland’s freshman class, highlighted by 22 points from McDonald’s All-American Jalen Smith.
Thursday’s open practice allows students a chance to get a sneak peek at the Smith-led freshman class, as well as the progress of returners like Anthony Cowan and Bruno Fernando.
