March Madness Crab Cakes: Hogan Bets DE Governor That Terps Will Win NCAA Tourney Game

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The stakes are always high in March Madness, but there's extra pressure in one Mid-Atlantic contest.

The University of Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team kicks off its NCAA tournament campaign Friday evening against the University of Delaware Blue Hens.

There's something more than a title on the line, however. The teams are also playing to win crab cakes for their respective states.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan bet Delaware Gov. John Carney that the Terps will beat the Blue Hens. The governor from the losing state will send the other leader a plate of seafood.

“Crab cakes and basketball — that’s what Maryland does,” Hogan said in a press release. “I want to thank Governor Carney for agreeing to this friendly wager, and I look forward to trying some inferior Delaware crab cakes after the big win.”

Carney thinks Delaware's crab cakes are better, but he hopes to win a seafood platter from Maryland.

“Delaware is known for being the First State, and for our incredible beaches and delicious food — like the famous crab cakes at Woody’s in Dewey Beach,” Carney said. “Thank you to Governor Hogan for this fun challenge, and for preparing some crab cakes to send over to Delaware.”

The first-round matchup will take place at the Xfinity Center in College Park. The game tips off at 5 p.m. Fans can watch on ESPNU or buy tickets at this link.

Head Coach Brenda Frese led the Terps to a 21-8 record this year. Maryland was 13-4 in conference play. That was good for fourth place in the Big Ten, and it earned the squad a No. 4 seed in the 2022 Women's NCAA Tournament.

The Terps are looking for their second national championship. Maryland previously cut down the nets in 2006.

"Our women’s basketball program is one of the best in the nation," Hogan said. "I’m confident that tonight’s game will be a slam dunk for our Terps."

The Terps are 13-0 all-time against the Blue Hens, Maryland247 reported. That track record means the Terps are favored to win by 16 points in this contest.

Still, Delaware also had a successful season. Head Coach Natasha Adair guided the Blue Hens to a 24-7 record.

Delaware was 15-3 in conference play and finished second in the Colonial Athletic Association during the regular season.

The Blue Hens then went on to win their third CAA tournament and clinch a No. 13 seed in March Madness. Delaware has never won a national championship, but the Blue Hens made it to the Sweet 16 in 2013.

"We’re really proud of our Fightin’ Blue Hens, and look forward to their success in the tournament," Carney said. "Let’s go, Blue Hens!"

The Delaware men's basketball team also made it to the NCAA tournament as a 15 seed. They take on the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats Friday at 2:45 p.m. That game will air on CBS.

Maryland sent a second team to the women's tournament. The Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers lost Thursday to the Longwood University Lancers 74 to 70. That match-up pitted the 16 seeds against each other in the First Four, a tournament phase where four teams battle to advance to the first round.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The author of this story, Jacob Baumgart, graduated from the University of Delaware.

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