Was it a mistake for Maryland to leave the ACC for the Big Ten?
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Following another disappointing road loss to Northwestern on Thursday night, Maryland fans flocked to social media to voice their displeasure. Many where questioning men's head basketball coach Kevin Willard, asking whether or not he is the right man for the job. Others were taking an even bigger approach, asking what had happened to Maryland athletics overall.
It's no secret that Maryland has struggled to find its footing in a loaded Big Ten conference, particularly as it relates to the men's basketball and football program. Since joining the conference in 2014, the men's basketball program has achieved an overall record of 110-89 in league play - a winning percentage of .553. Not awful, but far from anything resembling "great". Things only get worse for the football program, as the Terps are just 28-65 in conference play since joining in 2014.
There's no telling what things would look like for Maryland had it opted to remain part of the ACC, but the harsh reality is that the transition to the Big Ten has failed to deliver much in the way of anything meaningful for its fans. Additionally, fans say that it also took away some of those cherished rivalries that made Maryland athletics so special - including rivalries with Virginia and Duke.
So although Maryland's move to the Big Ten conference was based on what was in the best financial interest of the university, fans are left wondering why the product they grew up loving has looked underwhelming for the better part of a decade.
What has happened to Maryland athletics
— Terpsguy (@terpsguy) January 17, 2025
(Video from @WayneTerp ) pic.twitter.com/djXPI1I9PM
I grew up going to MD games, I was a huge fan. But I just don't have the same interest level in MD football/basketball since they moved to the B1G, especially basketball. So many traditions and rivalries in the ACC that I cared about. ACC tournament weekends were special. Sad.
— IrishFaninMD (@IrishFanInMD) January 17, 2025
I'm with you...I actively do not care about B1G matchups the same way I cared about ACC matchups.
— Justin Fauntroy, NBCT (@MrFauntroy) January 18, 2025
Big 10 decision saved all Maryland athletics but killed the big revenue programs.
— Nick Pavlou (@Nicholas_Pavlou) January 17, 2025
you’ve already disagreed with others for the same response, but leaving the ACC hurt. If it’s a cup cake conference, win it. That means you’re still going through Duke and UNC. Winning draws crowds. How’s the NIL budget compared to other big 10 schools? That may b another cause
— Mike (@ECPir8fan) January 18, 2025
Got in a financial mess and had to switch conferences to get out of it. No rivalries in the Big10. Too far to go to support them at away games. Can’t compete in football in the big10. Nobody likes boring big10 basketball.
— Blair Wood (@BlairWood3) January 18, 2025
unfortunately the school doesn’t deserve any sympathy… greed got to them that’s all it is.. they don’t care about the product that’s produced. just chasing the $. we went from a top 5 school in the big ten for the first 5 years to a laughingstock… it’s crazy.
— DK🧌 (@dopeassdavee) January 18, 2025
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Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. In January of 2025, he took over as Publisher for Maryland On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.
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