Following a heartbreaking loss to Nebraska in overtime, Maryland men’s basketball (18-9, 9-7 Big Ten) will look to bounce back in its penultimate game at the Xfinity Center this season against Minnesota (7-18, 1-14 Big Ten) on Wednesday.
The Terps looked primed to capitalize against the Cornhuskers following one of the biggest wins in recent program history against No. 5 Purdue on Thursday, but Nebraska was able to rally from down eight with over seven minutes to go and sent the game into overtime in front of an electric crowd in Lincoln.
Both teams went back-and-forth in the extra period, but Maryland found itself down one and inbounding the ball with 36 seconds to play. Senior guard Hakim Hart threw a soft pass to graduate student guard Jahmir Young, which was snatched away by redshirt freshman guard Sam Hoiberg and taken all the way for the score. This play sunk the Terps, who went on to lose 70-66.
Two Cornhuskers scored 20 or more points, as Maryland just couldn’t find a way to stop them. Senior forward Derrick Walker just put his head down and ran at Maryland’s forwards all night, and he finished with a crazy stat line of 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Junior guard Keisei Tominaga was getting buckets inside and out all night, scoring 20 points.
Maryland sophomore forward Julian Reese was a menace on the boards and down low offensively, scoring 16 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking three shots. But he got into foul trouble early in the first half, which allowed Nebraska to attack the paint without fear of a paint defender, helping it go into the half up multiple possessions.
With the Terps out-fouling Nebraska 24-17, the home team seized the opportunity to win the game at the free throw line. The Cornhuskers shot 76% on 25 attempts, while the Terps shot 68.4% on 19 attempts.
It’s been a tough season for Maryland away from home, as it is currently 1-7 in conference games on the road this season. In many of the Terps’ losses in hostile environments, they have not been coming out of the gate looking strong on offense. In their last three away defeats, the Terps have shot an average of 30.41% from the field and 20.28% from three in the first half.
Now, Maryland heads back to College Park to take on the team with the worst record in the Big Ten. Minnesota already played the Terps this season, in a game which happened to be the sole conference road win for the Terps this season. The Golden Gophers lost on their home court 81-46, which tied Maryland’s biggest win ever in a Big Ten conference game.
For the only time on the road this season, coach Kevin Willard’s offense came out swinging in the first half. The Terps shot over 50% from the field in the first half, and shot 60% from the three-point line, going into the break up 41-21.
Maryland’s defense was also rolling, posting a plus-11 turnover margin and scoring 23 points off turnovers. Minnesota’s offense just couldn’t convert, making only 13 shots the whole game, with freshman forward Pharrel Payne being the only scorer in double figures with 14 points.
Four players scored in double digits for the Terps, and Reese led the way with an efficient performance. He had 16 points and five rebounds on 8-10 shooting, proving himself to be a problem with the ball in his hands near the basket. Young had 14 points and senior forward Donta Scott had 13 points to help Reese on the scoring front.
Minnesota’s leading scorer sophomore forward Dawson Garcia will be on the floor after missing the first matchup in the beginning of February. He’s averaging 15.8 points per game this season, shooting 46% from the field, and his 6-foot-11 frame is bigger than anyone on the Maryland roster.
The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten network, and will start at 7 p.m.
