Maryland coach Gary Williams knows exactly how good the field is for this week’s Old Spice Classic, as five of the eight teams played in last year’s NCAA Tournament and four are ranked in the top-25 this season.
“I think this is the best field that’s out there for a tournament at this time of year,” Williams said. “At the same time, you want to see if you can play well at this time of year for an extended time.”
When the Terrapins (3-0) arrived in Orlando on Wednesday, they were joined by a star-studded field that included No. 5 Michigan State (2-0), No. 9 Gonzaga (2-0), No. 12 Tennessee (3-0), No. 21 Georgetown (2-0), Oklahoma State (4-0), Siena (2-0) and Wichita State (2-1).
The Terrapins defeated Vermont in overtime on Friday, following up wins against Bucknell and Youngstown State to open the season. But they face their first test tonight against Michigan State. The winner advances to play Gonzaga or Oklahoma State on Friday night at 5:30 on ESPN, with the losers meeting at 8 on ESPNU. The championship game is Sunday night at 7:30 on ESPN2.
“In the back of our mind, if we go down there and win some games, it’ll put Maryland back on the map,” Maryland senior forward Dave Neal said. “We’re all excited to go out there to some warm weather and take care of business.”
Tonight’s game begins a stretch in which Maryland plays three games in four days at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in preparation for a grueling Atlantic Coast Conference schedule that begins the second week of January.
“We still have a month and a half before the ACC season,” Williams said. “I plan on getting a lot better before the ACC season.”
After returning from Orlando, Maryland hosts Michigan (4-1) in the Big 10-ACC Challenge and George Washington (2-1) in the BB&T Classic in Washington, D.C.
After that, the Terrapins host Delaware State, American, Bryant, Elon, Charlotte and Morgan State before conference play begins against Georgia Tech on Jan. 10.
But right now, the Terrapins are focused on defeating the Spartans, who are led by forward Raymar Morgan (21.5 ppg), guard Kailin Lucas (15 ppg) and guard Chris Allen (14 ppg).
“Teams down there are going to be like the competition we play in the ACC,” Maryland junior guard Eric Hayes said. “If we can play well in the tournament, it bodes well for us in the ACC schedule.”
