Maryland has won all four meetings with Denver, including going 2-0 against the Pioneers in the NCAA Division I tournament. The Terps, who captured national crowns in 1973 and 1975, are 2-9 in championship finals and have lost in their last seven trips to the title game. The Pioneers are making their debut in the championship final.
Maryland (15-3), the No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, set a program record for wins in a single season with its 15th victory after Saturday’s 12-11 decision against Johns Hopkins in the semifinals. Faceoff specialist Charlie Raffa has been plagued by numerous injuries, but usually rises to the occasion in the playoffs.