Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center
The Xfinity Center opened in 2002, replacing Cole Field House as the Terrapins' home court. The arena holds nearly 18,000 seats, nearly a quarter of which are designated for a student section that wraps around the court and runs 10 rows deep. It's one of the largest student sections in the Big Ten, and the Terps enjoy a healthy homecourt advantage partly because of it, winning the majority of their games in College Park since the opening of the Xfinity Center.
Maryland Terrapins Men's Basketball History
Under Gary Williams, coach from 1989 to 2011, the Terrapins established themselves as one of the best programs in college basketball. Williams' tenure included a sparkling stretch during which Maryland made the tournament 11 years running, reaching the Final Four in consecutive seasons and winning a title in 2002. That championship team featured the heady backcourt of Juan Dixon and Steve Blake and an intimidating frontcourt of Chris Wilcox and Lonny Baxter. In 22 seasons, Williams recorded 461 victories against 252 losses.
There's more to Maryland history than the Williams era. Before Williams there was Lefty Driesell, who coached from 1970 to 1986 and who casts a long shadow over the college game. It was Driesell who began the Midnight Madness tradition with a workout just after midnight on October 15, the first day college teams were permitted to practice. And it was Driesell who coached the Terps in the 1974 ACC final against North Carolina State, considered one of the greatest college hoops games ever. Maryland, with a roster featuring six future NBA draft picks, lost in overtime, 103-100, to high-flying David Thompson and the Wolfpack. That Terps team is one of the finest ever to not appear in the NCAA tournament. The loss to NC State led the NCAA to expand its signature event, allowing for at-large bids and tourney berths for more than one team per conference.
Driesell was a strong recruiter, bringing to College Park such stars as Len Elmore, John Lucas, Albert King, Buck Williams and Len Bias. His record during his time on campus was 348-159.
A founding member of the ACC, Maryland left the conference in 2014 to join the Big Ten.
