Chris Markwood and Maine are working towards their first NCAA Tournament bid

The NCAA Tournament is one of the great events in American sports. Each November, a journey starts for 364 (and counting) teams in all of the United States. Every game makes a difference, with teams compiling a rèsumè worthy of being chosen for the 68-team field. For many teams, though, the only way to reach the promised land is through a conference championship. Outside of the power conference structure, winning your conference tournament is the way to punch your ticket to the big dance. For this reason, there are over 40 teams that have never made the NCAA Tournament and almost all of those teams will not make it this year.

Maine is fighting to not be one of them.

The University of Maine men's basketball team has never made the NCAA Tournament. From 2014 through 2022, Maine had failed to reach 10 wins in a season. Their highest season finish at KenPom was 153rd in 1999, over 25 years ago. This is a program that has struggled mightily over the last few decades, typically being ranked sub-325 at KenPom every year. 

Chris Markwood has come in and changed that. 

Credit: Seth Poplaski / UMaine Athletics

 

Markwood was named the head coach at Maine in March 2022, succeeding Richard Barron. Barron was coming off a 6-23 season and a total record of 22-79 as head coach. Markwood took over and hasn't looked back, taking a program that hadn't won more than 10 games since 2013, and leading them to 13 and 15 win seasons in 2023 and 2024, respectively. 

This season, Markwood and the Black Bears are off to their best start in the America East since 2010-11. Maine is 13-8, with a record of 5-1 in conference play. Markwood's team is in 2nd place in their conference, with their lone loss coming to the team in 1st, Bryant.

Senior Kellen Tynes gave some insight on playing for Coach Markwood.

"I love playing for Coach Markwood. He's the main reason I stayed for my 5th year at Maine." Tynes, a 6'3 grad student from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was 23-24 America East Defensive Player of the Year. "He lets you play through mistakes, but also holds you accountable." Tynes said. "He's a great motivator. I speak for all the guys when I say we would run through a brick wall for him."

Asked about the key difference leading to this season's success, Tynes said, "One of the biggest keys has been our shooting." Tynes says his teammates have shot the ball so well, it's hard for teams to help on defense, possibly leaving a shooter open. He also credits the teams big men for their defense and rebounding. "Our bigs have been rebounding well and have been good rim protectors." 

Maine is in the best position to make their first NCAA Tournament in years. Coming off a big win over UMass-Lowell. they have rival New Hampshire up next on Thursday, January 30th. 

Time will tell if Maine makes the tournament this season, but it is clear that Chris Markwood has this team heading in the right direction.