The hype is out of control already in College Park. The Maryland Terrapins haven't played a team of consequence yet, haven't suffered their first pulled muscle, haven't had to deal with their first defeat, or in any way find out what they're made of, yet students are literally bowing to them on campus. The talk around Cole Field House during Tuesday night's blowout victory over Maryland-Baltimore County wasn't just about how good this Maryland team might be, but how deep into the NCAA tournament the Terps should go, how this might be the deepest, most athletic team Maryland has had in 25 years, and how it seems Gary Williams could actually have too many talented players to fit in all at once. It's mostly reasonable discussion. Okay, plenty of excited November predictions have crashed and burned long before March.
Talent is the biggest tease in sports.
John Thompson used to say that before the cake begins to bake all you've got is ingredients. But my goodness, what ingredients Williams has going into the oven. It's not uncommon for recent Maryland teams to have two big-time players on the floor together. Jerrod Mustaf played with Walt Williams. Joe Smith played with Keith Booth.