The traditional role of the columnist is in large part to aid in providing context for accompanying news. That’s not as easy as I’d like in the aftermath of Maryland clinching a share of the Big Ten regular-season title March 8 with a win against Michigan.
Some of the response is easy. We can start with a take so mild even my mother-in-law couldn’t complain that it was “just a little too spicy for her.” A share of the Big Ten title is definitely SOMETHING for Maryland and head coach Mark Turgeon.
Whoa. Call me “Glenn Bayless,” I guess. If you’re not overwhelmed by my “take quake,” let’s push forward.
A minority of Maryland fans have suggested that a split of a conference regular season wasn’t an accomplishment worthy of T-shirt and hats, cutting down nets and an inevitable future championship banner at Xfinity Center. That’s the easiest take to dismiss. The Big Ten was the toughest, most competitive conference in college basketball this season. Even a share of the title reflects an outstanding season worthy of recognition. If you’d rather spend your $32 as a down payment on a future bottle of hand sanitizer when it becomes available than a long-sleeved T-shirt celebrating the accomplishment, that’s your choice. No one is forcing the gear on you.
