COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND---380 days.

380 days ago, Melo Trimble's Maryland Terrapins were defeated by 7th ranked Virginia in College Park. The loss was the last time the Terps had been defeated inside the XFINITY Center. Until Sunday afternoon.

April Fools! Or maybe the better term is December deception! 

Receiving a huge lift from frontcourt duo Robert Carter and Diamond Stone (they combined for 35 points and 15 rebounds), 4th ranked Maryland rolled over the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Getting the party started with a Melo Trimble three-pointer, the two teams ran out like thoroughbreds (Marshall led by James Kelly's four points and Maryland by Robert Carter's six) as each had nine points before the under 16 media timeout.

Coming back out from the first stoppage, the Terrapins were able to land the first punch of the game in the form of a 12-2 spurt, which provoked Thundering Herd head coach Dan D'Antoni to burn a quick timeout (21-11 MD). Unfortunately for him, it didn't help.

Picking up right where they left off, Stone made a layup to extend the home team's lead to 12. A few minutes later, Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon was able to get free for a deuce of his own to supply the Terps with a half-high 13-point edge. 

However, it would be short lived. Finally able to re-start the offensive engine, Marshall's Kelly was able to turn defense into offense, courtesy of a Trimble turnover, with a layup. On the ensuing possession, the Thundering Herd was able to get a second-chance opportunity after a C.J. Burks missed three pointer, for Terrence Thompson came down with the rebound and facilitated it to Jon Elmore. Nothing but nylon! 

Following a timeout by Maryland, Marshall continued to thunder forward with seven more points to cap a 12-0 stampede. 34-33 Maryland! 

Thankfully for the Terrapins, on the other end of the court, Carter was finally able to get the "lid off the basket" with a triple. Though, the Thundering Herd's Austin Loop was able to match the basket with one of his three 1st half three-pointers to keep his squad's deficit at one. 

Then, after the trading of treys ended, Stone tipped in a Sulaimon miss, spurring a 9-0 run to end the half (46-36 MD).

In the second twenty minutes, the Terrapins did not fail to put away Marshall earl, for they utilized a 36-19 start, propelled by eight points from both Jake Layman and Jaylen Brantley. And the worse part if you are a Marshall fan: The run ate 15 minutes and 45 seconds off the clock, meaning the Thundering Herd had 4:15 to make a 27-point comeback.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

The Maryland Terrapins had passed their last test before the commencement of Big Ten play.

A Diamond Shining

When walking onto campus day one, the expectations for freshman center Diamond Stone were sky high. Aside from being ranked 6th in ESPN's 100 for the high school class of 2015, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, native had the build of an NBA player (6'11"/255 lbs) and the framework of a post game that--with improvement--had the potential to make him one of the best centers in the nation. Nevertheless, following the worst performance of his young collegiate career (2 points against undersized Illinois State), speculation surfaced (definitely from this journalist) on whether the young man was over hyped. Quickly the "fab freshman" quieted the "hate" as he has not been held under nine points in any game while averaging 13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in only 20.5 minutes per performance (including tonight's 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks). 11-1 Maryland opens up conference play on Wednesday when hosting Penn State.

A Positive in a Herd of Negatives

So where shall we start? Perhaps the fact Marshall was out-rebounded 44-37. Oh! How about shooting an anemic 19.3% (6 of 31) from beyond the arc! Let's just say, there really isn't many statistics for the Thundering Herd coaching staff to hang their hat on. Except for one: 5 players finished with double-digit points (Steve Browning, Austin Loop, Jon Elmore, C.J. Burks, and James Kelly). 

Despite only Loop and Burks shooting efficiently on the afternoon, one must assume the remaining three's production will soar in Conference USA play. According to average, Kelly, Browning, and Elmore were suppose to combine for just over 38 points per game. Against Maryland, their total was 32. Additionally, this isn't even taking into account Ryan Taylor's 14.8 points per game being cut in half (7) on a disgusting 3 for 12 shooting day. 4-9 Marshall will attempt to break their two game skid against Western Kentucky in their conference opener next Sunday.