Preview: Maryland men’s basketball prepares for difficult matchup against No. 3 Purdue

Maryland men’s basketball (12-6, 3-4 Big Ten) prepares for a conference matchup on Sunday, as the Terps match up against No. 3 Purdue (18-1, 7-1 Big Ten) in West Lafayette. 

In their last outing, the Terps avenged an earlier loss against Michigan with a 64-58 win, as they looked like a different team from the New Year’s Day matchup.

“We’re all competitors at the end of the day,” graduate student guard Jahmir Young said. “They got us by 35 up there and we knew it was going to be a homecoming for a couple of them so they were going to bring it. We just had to make sure we came out and threw the first punch and really try to pull this one out.”

Maryland constantly pounded the rock inside, and on the defensive end made it challenging for junior center Hunter Dickinson around the rim. The Terps took care of the ball, rebounded on the offensive glass and shot from the free-throw line better.

The Terps’ offense excelled, scoring in the paint and in transition. They finished with a 42-22 advantage in points in the paint and a 14-2 edge in fastbreak points. 

“Understanding that we got to be a little bit more aggressive and getting the ball into the paint,” coach Kevin Willard said. “I think it starts with Jahmir. I think Jahmir has just been so aggressive. He’s been getting in there and I just think it’s opening up driving lanes for other guys.”

Maryland posted a season-low with only six turnovers. Previously, ball security has been a glaring issue for the Terps, especially against Big Ten opponents. 

Young could not be contained throughout the entirety of the game. His 26 points, three steals and touch around the basket were monumental for the Terps. In seven conference games this season, Young is averaging 19.3 points. Young has led the Terps in scoring the past four games and has scored 20 points or more in three consecutive games. Young has now eclipsed 1,700 points in his career, making him one of just 14 active players with at least 1,700 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists.

At home, Maryland is now 9-1 and remains undefeated in conference play, with all three Big Ten wins coming at the XFINITY Center. 

“We’re right where we want to be, we’re 3-4 in conference,” Willard said. “I’m pretty happy with where we are considering the fact that we had the hardest conference schedule in the league. I mean it’s not even close, so for us to battle and be where we are, this team has shown a lot of heart and a lot of grit.”

Purdue enters the matchup with only one loss on the season against Rutgers Jan. 2, in which it was defeated by one-point on a go-ahead three with 13 seconds remaining. 

The Boilermakers boast one of the best offenses in the NCAA and a solid defense to match their scoring output. Per Kenpom, Purdue ranks third in adjusted offensive efficiency and ranks fifth in overall adjusted efficiency margin among all Division One schools. 

Purdue’s defense ranks 13th in opposing points per game (60.1) and is tied for eighth in average scoring margin (14), reinforcing its stellar play on both ends of the floor.

In its last outing, Purdue steamrolled Minnesota en route to a 61-39 win. The Boilermakers are on a five-game win streak and are cruising through conference play.

Leading Purdue’s stellar offense is one of the best players in college basketball, junior Zach Edey. This season, Edey is averaging 21.3 points, 13 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. The 7-foot-4 center has recorded a double-double in 15 of 18 games this season. 

The freshman backcourt duo of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer are two other players to watch out for because of their shooting ability. Loyer is second on the team, averaging 13.1 points per game, but is the leader with 43 three-pointers made. 

Smith is productive in all facets of the game, averaging 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is coming off one of his best performances of the season against Minnesota, where he recorded a game-high 19 points and seven assists. 

Maryland is 5-7 all-time against Purdue head-to-head. The programs last met Feb. 13 when Purdue edged out a close victory, 62-61.

The game will tip-off at 1 p.m. and will take place at the Mackey Complex.