My Top Ten Maryland Sports Moments as an Undergrad

Maryland students rush the court after beating No. 2 Duke on February 16, 2013

With Maryland falling to North Carolina on Senior Night at Comcast, nearly every major athletic event I will attend as an undergrad at this great university is over (with the exception of maybe a lacrosse game or two). So as my career here comes to an end, I wanted to put together a list of the top ten games I attended during my four years. Without further ado, here they are starting from the bottom:

Honorable Mention: Greivis Vasquez caps an electrifying 12-0 run vs. Clemson and Comcast goes nuts, February 4, 2010 (Freshman)
Box Score

This game sticks out simply for this 12-0 run and how crazy the crowd went. It signifies the lightning rod that Vasquez was and the emotion that he put in the crowd at Comcast all season. Watch his dunk at the end.

10. The Greatest Coach in Maryland History: Gary Williams’ Press Conference, May 2011 (Sophomore)

The greatest coach in Maryland history. Enough said. His early 2000s teams were what made me fall in love with this university as a little kid.

9. Mark Turgeon gets first signature win with Alex Len’s tip-in against NC State, January 16, 2013. (Senior)

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I didn't rush the court (even though everyone else did), but it was a great time for Mark Turgeon to get his first win over a ranked opponent at Maryland. Exciting atmosphere for a winter break game.

8. (TIE) No. 4 Men’s Soccer beats No. 2 North Carolina in the 89^th minute, 1-0, September 25, 2009 (Freshman) Box Score

and No. 1 Men’s Soccer beats No. 2 North Carolina in OT, 1-0, October, 18, 2012 (Senior) Box Score

I went to many soccer games thoughout my four years, and the two most memorable games were 1-0 victories over UNC. The highlight below was my senior year, in the pouring rain. I was fortunate to have some great men's soccer teams to watch. 

7. Terps Lacrosse beats Duke in the Final Four in Baltimore, advances to play UVA, May 28, 2011. (Sophomore)

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Although they lost to UVA in the final, beating Duke in Baltimore was a great feeling for another team that had my support all four years. Soccer and lacrosse were consistently great programs that helped to offset the mediocrity of the basketball and football teams. (This video below is not from the Duke game but from Maryland's first round game in the NCAA tournament. The hidden ball trick is awesome).

6. Loud students pack Comcast during “Snowpocalypse” and basketball crushes UNC, February 7, 2010. (Freshman)
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Any student with an ID could get into the game as there was two feet of snow on the ground. UNC, the defending national champion, came to College Park and got throttled behind a raucous student section that kicked off a week without school.

5. Kenny Tate stuffs Navy to win the Crab Bowl, 17-14, September 6, 2010. (Sophomore)

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A rivalry that should be played more often, and in Baltimore. Great atmosphere of healthy competition and camaraderie on a beautiful Labor Day and the game came down to a 4th down goal line stand. Can't ask for much else. 

4.  Cliff Tucker hits buzzer beater to down Georgia Tech, February 20, 2010 (Freshman)

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Moments after Greivis Vasquez nailed a half court shot that was called off because of a called timeout, Cliff Tucker buries the game winner. Perhaps the loudest Comcast ever was during my four years. Perfect example of that gritty, grind it out team that I loved so much.

3.  “Maryland Pride” is born on Labor Day as football takes down Miami, September 5, 2011. (Junior)

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I'll never forget the team running out of the tunnel in the "Maryland Pride" uniforms and then playing a great game against Miami on national television. Best football atmosphere at any game at Byrd.

2.  Unranked Terps escape with 83-81 upset over No. 2 Duke, February 16, 2013. (Senior)

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Dramatic game with lots of turnovers and blown leads. The Terps got the big win they desperately needed. Capped off by this Flash Mob/Harlem Shake that went viral online and it was an amazing experience. Beating Duke always feels good. Maryland won two and lost two home games against them in my four years.

1. ACC Player of the Year  Greivis Vasquez leads Maryland over Duke on Senior Night, March 3, 2010. (Freshman)

Box Score

Easily the best game I saw here. Maryland was ranked and chasing Duke for the ACC title. Greivis Vasquez was making a run at Player of the Year. It was senior night. I doubt there was as much anticipation for a basketball game at Comcast since the national championship season. Maryland ended up being the last team to beat Duke before they ended up winning a national title. If the heartbreaking buzzer beater loss to Michigan State didn't happen, I firmly believe this team had a great chance of making a run to face Duke in the title game. Either way, this game capped off an incredible season. Unfortunately this was the best we got in my four years. 

And just for old times sake, the Greivis Shimmy one more time: