Count Maryland coach Mark Turgeon as a believer.

After his team wiped out Northwestern 74-64 on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena, thanks mostly to the Wildcats’ cold shooting and Terrapins guard Melo Trimble’s 32 points, Turgeon took inventory of his opponent’s progress.

While surveying the press room, filled with reporters and cameras, Turgeon praised the Wildcats and coach Chris Collins.

“It’s really cool,” he said. “This room ... it’s a lot different than the last time I was here.”

Turgeon then lobbied for the Wildcats’ place in the NCAA tournament, a place the program has yet to play.

“It’s going to be a great story as we move into March,” he said. “An NCAA tournament team — they should be.”

And probably will be, despite losing three of the last four games — all without leading scorer Scottie Lindsey, also one of the Wildcats’ top defenders.

But the losses — minus a stinker at home to Illinois — have come at Purdue and against Maryland, both ranked teams.

Northwestern coach Chris Collins on his team's defeat

Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins talks about the loss to Maryland. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune) 

Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins talks about the loss to Maryland. (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune) 

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The one that could keep the attention of the NCAA tournament selection committee is Sunday’s victory at Wisconsin. The Big Ten-leading Badgers were ranked seventh at the time, were on an eight-game winning streak and had won 19 in a row at the Kohl Center.

Pulling off the 66-59 stunner without Lindsey can only bolster the Wildcats’ case, as long as they avoid another bad loss.

That’s where Rutgers comes into the picture. The Scarlet Knights (13-14 overall), who come to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday, are last in the Big Ten with a 2-12 record.

Lindsey could return for that game after battling mononucleosis, but he would likely have some rust to shake off.

Collins said he didn’t think the win at Wisconsin had any effect on the Wildcats on Wednesday. They simply were outplayed.

Dish-juggling Red Panda dazzles Northwestern fans Phil Thompson and Paul Skrbina

For Northwestern fans, the result of Wednesday's night's Maryland game was disappointing, but the halftime show sure was great.

Rong "Krystal" Niu, billed nationally as Red Panda, performed stunts, including flipping bowls onto her head while riding a unicycle at Welsh-Ryan Arena. She delighted...

For Northwestern fans, the result of Wednesday's night's Maryland game was disappointing, but the halftime show sure was great.

Rong "Krystal" Niu, billed nationally as Red Panda, performed stunts, including flipping bowls onto her head while riding a unicycle at Welsh-Ryan Arena. She delighted...

(Phil Thompson and Paul Skrbina)

“I don’t think it was a hangover,” he said.

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