I agree, I felt it would have been justified even if Maryland didn't make it even with a decent ACC tournament showing. They lost three consecutive games, and were swept by another ACC bubble team (NC State). After today’s loss, I don't think they deserve a bid.
I respect your views on Duke. I don't like them, but that doesn't equate to a lack of respect for what they accomplish.
I have to harp on one thing though.
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I know success breeds recruitment and thus success; however Duke has lately been hit by the same "leave early" contagion that all the institutions in the country have been dealing with for years.
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You said it at first, success breeds recruitment and thus success. Losing players early doesn't hurt them more than any other program. Foremost, because even if they have more players inclined to leave early, they always have a top 5 recruiting class to fill that void. Subsequently, they can play freshman like Duhon, Reddick, Ewing, etc, significant minutes. Players have been leaving early for the draft more than a decade, and I just don't think it should be an additional component to praise a team about.