Guess what Maryland? It's basketball season! We can once again go see our fellow Terps play at the Xfinity Center, show off their skills, and lead UMD into another great season. If you have ever been to a University of Maryland basketball game, then you know that they are a fun time. But, in case you don't know, here are 15 things that students do at all UMD basketball home games.
1. Going Early To Try And Get Giveaway Items
Like most college students, we are all pretty much broke. So, "free" is one of our favorite words. Not to mention, most of the giveaways items are pretty cool and you can never have too much Terp gear.
2. Court-side Seats And Enemy Sheets
Not only are student tickets free, but you also are able to get court-side seating! When you sit court-side, they usually also hand out "Know Your Enemy" sheets which contain all sorts of information about the opposing team.
3. Newspaper Time
When the opposing team comes onto the court, everyone who gets a newspaper at their seat opens up their newspaper to block their view of the other team. We only have time to see the best team and we all know that team is UMD.
4. Player Heads and Emoji Signs
Before the game, you are able to rent player head signs or emoji signs to hold up during the game. Whether you want to hold Melo's head or a thumbs up emoji, all you need to do is look for the guy handing out signs and give him your student ID to rent the sign for the night. Once you're done using it, you can return the sign and they will return your student ID.
5. Cheer As Loud As Possible
During all important plays of the opposing team, Xfinity Center becomes anything but quiet. All fans start yelling to try and distract the other team. We also cheer loudly after exciting plays for our own team. During basketball games, you need to make sure that you are LOUD.
6. *Clap*, Spirit Hands, "Swoosh"
Every time a fellow Terp basketball player attempts a free throw, the crowd claps when the ball is handed to him, raises their hands in the air as we wait for the player to shoot, and then shout "Swoosh!" if the player makes the shot.
7. Basketball Video and Maryland Flag
Sometime during the game, usually during a timeout, there will be a video played on the monitors in the Xfinity Center. It is a montage of inspirational basketball movie scenes. This video leads into the the descending of the Maryland flag from the student section. Everyone then starts jumping and clapping together. UMD definitely has school spirit and Maryland pride.
8. T-Shirt Toss
Oh the T-shirt toss... Will you ever actually catch and get a t-shirt? The world may never know.
9. Ref Frustration
Well all know that feeling when a ref makes a call that is totally not fair. Terp fans do not take these bad calls too lightly.
10. Anxiety Taking Over When The Score Is Too Close
Although you are only watching the game, you will start feeling nervous when the score is too close for comfort. However, this makes the game more exciting as you anticipate the Terps to take the lead.
11. Stand Up. Sit Down. Stand Up. Sit Down.
At basketball games, you are consistently standing up and sitting down because of the amount of timeouts that the game has. However, there is usually something going on during these breaks, like performances from the Maryland dance team or the Maryland cheerleaders.
12. Trying To Get On The Big Screen.
If you have ever been to a UMD basketball game, you know that you've tried to make it on the big screen. Who doesn't like to get their little moment of fame?
13. Excitement Over Terrapin Win
There's nothing like seeing UMD winning! The stadium goes wild.
14. Losing Your Voice
Trying to talk after a game is brutal. Most people cheer so loudly that they don't have a voice anymore after the game. Maryland fans are dedicated.
15. Joining Together To Sing The Alma Mater
After every game, everyone in Xfinity sings the university's alma mater. Once you're a Terp, you're always a Terp.
