Maryland Begins NCAA Tournament Against Vermont

(1) Maryland (14-0, 5-0 Big Ten) vs Vermont (12-6, 6-0 America East)

Where: Maryland Stadium

Time: 12:00 p.m EDT

Cover photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Maryland Terrapins

The road to East Hartford finally begins for the Maryland Terrapins. After navigating the regular season and Big Ten Tournament without a blemish, the number one team in the country will try to be the first undefeated national champions since the 2006 Virginia Cavaliers. Up first, the Vermont Catamounts, who took care of Manhattan 15-3 in the play-in game to set up this matchup.

Scouting Vermont

These two programs meet again in the first round of the NCAA tournament, with last year's matchup ending in a 17-11 Maryland win. The Catamounts are led by Michael McCormack and Thomas McConvey on offense, with each of them finishing with five goals and an assist in their win over the Jaspers. The matchup at the face off X should be a good one. Tommy Burke won 19-21 draws against Manhattan. The Catamounts also have one of the best defenses in the country, boasting the eight best squad in adjusted efficiency as of April 20th. An improving offense and a steady defense has led to a ten-game winning streak, including a dominating 15-3 win over Manhattan to set the stage Sunday's matchup.

Wisnauskas Watch

This has been a historic season for Groot. He was recently named as a Tewaaraton Award finalist (the Heisman of lacrosse). If the Terps make a long run, he should take home the award. With four possible games left, Wisnauskas has a chance to rewrite the record books even more. He is currently third amongst active players in goals, sitting only 12 behind Chris Gray. He also has 37 career hat tricks, only one behind Jared Bernhardt‘s 38. Wisnauskas was also named USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American, earned the 2022 Big Ten Medal of Honor and was selected first overall by Chrome LC in the 2022 PLL Draft last week. The program's all-time leader in points will have an opportunity to add to his decorated resume today.

Brotherly Love

For the second consecutive year, we get the Bernhardt Bowl in the postseason. "We might be staring down brother versus brother again and another Terp coach in Chris Feifs so in a way certainly proud of those guys but we'd rather stay away from them, if that was possible because I want to keep rooting for them," Maryland head coach John Tillman said following the NCAA Selection Show. That, unfortunately, won't happen as Jake Bernhardt is the offensive coordinator for Vermont and Jesse Bernhardt is the defensive coordinator for the Terps. Last year, Jesse got the best of Jake last year and will hope to stifle his offense again.

Check out the Inside the Black & Gold Forum! Related Links Maryland makes top group for local four-star

Former Florida State DL Quashon Fuller announces transfer to Maryland Maryland lands former Georgetown guard Don Carey Maryland in frequent contact with Florida tight end (+) Shell-N-Tell: Campus MarathonTwo schools recruiting emerging forward the hardest (+) Roster review: wide receiver room Late '22 cornerback RJ Johnson nearing official to Maryland (+)