March 12, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland has earned the top seed in the East Region of the National Invitational Tournament and will host the winner of No. 9 Manhattan vs. No. 10 Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at Comcast Center. The game will be broadcast live by ESPN.

Tickets for the NIT are available by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or by visiting www.umterps.com.

The Terrapins, who are 19-12 after facing the 12th toughest schedule in the nation, are making their sixth trip to the NIT and their 13th consecutive postseason appearance overall. Maryland advanced to the semifinals of the 2005 NIT at Madison Square Garden after defeating Oral Roberts (85-72), Davidson (78-63) and TCU (85-73). The Terps are 10-4 all-time in the NIT, including the 1972 championship. Maryland also competed in the NIT in 1979, 1982 and 1990.

Joining Maryland as No. 1 seeds are Louisville (Big East), Cincinnati (Big East) and Michigan (Big 10). Other ACC schools participating in the NIT are No. 2 Florida State, No. 3 Miami, No. 4 Clemson, No. 5 Wake Forest and No. 8 Virginia.