For the first time since 2002, Maryland men’s lacrosse will miss the NCAA Tournament. 

It is the first time under head coach John Tillman that the Terps have not been included in the field, excluding 2020.

Before this year, Maryland had never missed the tournament since it expanded beyond 12 teams for the 2003 season. 

Coming into the conference tournaments squarely on the bubble, Maryland suffered a loss to Penn State, which ultimately kicked the Terps to the outside looking in heading into the final days of conference tournament play.

Maryland looked to have a chance to get the final bid all the way up until the last games ended on Sunday, with the RPI shifting to the point where Yale picked up a top-five win on its resume. That was the main difference in Yale’s resume compared to the Terps, with the Bulldogs gaining one of the final spots.

Maryland was likely the first team out of the NCAA Tournament.

Without a top-five RPI win, Maryland’s early-season victory over Virginia was the biggest piece to its resume. Virginia would go on to win the ACC tournament, but the committee valued other bubble teams’ higher RPI wins.

Just over two weeks ago, the Terps looked to be in a good position to make the tournament, even holding a chance to host in the first round.

A loss in “The Rivalry” to Johns Hopkins quickly turned the tide on the Terps’ season, with Maryland missing out on an opportunity to all but clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament. 

The Terps had another chance to clinch their bid in the Big Ten semifinals, but another poor offensive performance resulted in an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament.

Had Maryland won either one of those games, its season would still be alive in all likelihood. 

Ultimately, the Terps’ failure to make the NCAA tournament comes down to their 1-3 start to the season, including three straight losses. 

Maryland put itself in a hole that was too much to climb out of without being nearly perfect for the rest of the season. Despite improving at points in the season, the Terps were far from perfect.

Coming off back-to-back national championship appearances, the Terps’ season is over early and they will spend this May watching from home.