Maryland men’s basketball hosts No. 19 Rutgers in Big Ten opener
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Big Ten play is here, and Maryland men's basketball looks poised to accept on the challenges that come with it. After an overall uninspired performance at Clemson, Terps (4-one) will begin their Big Ten campaign at home against Rutgers (4-0). The Scarlet Knights will also be the offset ranked opponent for the Terps this season.
"Information technology'southward a pretty amazing league, which is great to run across where we are nationally playing against really skillful teams," caput coach Mark Turgeon said.
The No. 19 Scarlet Knights, equally one of six ranked teams in the conference, have looked quite formidable despite lacking the services of their best guard, Geo Baker. The senior guard has been out since the team's season opener due to an ankle sprain.
With Baker out, Ron Harper Jr. has blossomed every bit a scorer, averaging 22 points per game while shooting threescore% from the field and 45% from deep. Harper's improvements on law-breaking have been complemented past guards Jacob Immature and Montez Mathis — who are both averaging 16 points on respectable shooting splits.
Rutgers frontcourt duo of freshman Cliff Omoruyi and junior Myles Johnson are also proven contributors for the Scarlet Knights. Omoruyi provides an efficient low-post crime, while Johnson has maintained his role as Rutgers rim protector. While it may be besides early to say, this pairing does show a lot of promise in a frontcourt dominant Big Ten.
The Knights talented backcourt coupled with their imposing frontcourt could be a handful for Maryland at domicile. Information technology's likely Rutgers volition come out early forcing the effect on offense. Await their trio of guards to button the pace on offense and score in a variety of means, particularly through distill penetration and drive and kicking.
In order for Maryland to win, an interior presence is crucial. A stiff defensive showing from Galin Smith and Chol Marial downwards low could deadening down the Scarlet Knight's offensive attack. Smith has slowly been finding his role with the squad and has shown his defensive ability in a halfcourt setting. Nonetheless, Marial still has left a lot to be desired when it comes to defending the rim.
"We demand Chol," Turgeon said. "Defensively is where we're asking for the nigh aid out of him."
A concerted effort from both Smith and Marial volition surely make things easier for the Terps.
Maryland can too maintain control of the game by protecting the ball on crime. The Terps gave upwards 10 turnovers in the first one-half at Clemson in their last contest and the crime only produced a frigid 15 points. If Maryland brings the aforementioned try, information technology tin expect more than of the same results, especially facing the likes of an opportunistic Rutgers squad.
"Sometimes it's expert early in the year to get punched in the mouth and figure out where you lot are," Turgeon said "All nosotros can do is try to acquire from it and go better and I call back nosotros've done that."
The unusual circumstances of this year brand defending the Large Ten title a unique feat. But if Maryland can find its groove early, getting back to its winning ways volition exist much easier. Tip off is scheduled for half dozen p.m and the game will air on the Big Ten Network.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/maryland-mens-basketball-hosts-no-21-rutgers-in-big-ten-opener/
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