Looking to gain some momentum heading into the bulk of the conference schedule, Maryland men’s basketball (11-5, 2-3 Big Ten) will try to spark another win streak against Iowa (11-6, 3-3 Big Ten) on Sunday.
The Terps had one of their best games of the season against Ohio State their last time on the court, defeating the Buckeyes 80-73 at the XFINITY Center. After going into halftime down five, Maryland came out looking dangerous in the second half, starting the half on a 14-0 run. The Terps’ offensive efficiency propelled them down the stretch, shooting 60.87% from the field and 40% from the three-point line in the second half to help snap a three-game conference losing streak.
Graduate student guard Jahmir Young had his best performance in a Maryland jersey, tying a career-high with 30 points alongside 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. He made his impact with his offensive decision making and shot selection, shooting 8-18 from the floor — including some clutch layups down the stretch. Young is the Terps’ leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game.
Every starter for the Terps scored in double figures against the Buckeyes, the second time that has happened this season. Senior guard Hakim Hart and sophomore forward Julian Reese had especially impactful performances to help Maryland down the stretch. Hart finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Reese scored 10 points and nabbed eight rebounds as he made his presence felt under the rim.
Hart and Reese are the only Terps that average at least 10 points per game with a shooting percentage above 50%.
Iowa enters on a three-game win streak, with wins over Indiana, Rutgers and Michigan. The Hawkeyes have been able to pull off these wins with their ability to score, putting up more than 90 points in two of their last three games.
The Hawkeyes’ offense has been consistently scoring a lot all season, currently averaging the most points per game in the Big Ten (82.1 points per game). Iowa also has been dishing the ball at a high rate, averaging 16.94 assists per game, the most in the conference.
However, the Hawkeyes haven’t been able to put it together on the defensive end. They allow 72.8 points per game, the worst in the conference. Opponents shoot an average of 44.9% from the field, also the worst in the conference.
Junior forward Kris Murray averages 21.4 points per game, the most in the Big Ten and the tenth-most in the country. He’s also a force on the boards, averaging a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game. Murray is one of five Hawkeyes that average at least 10 points per game.
“He has such [a] good feel for the game, he moves without the ball, and I think he’s really starting to shoot the ball at a high level,” coach Kevin Willard said. “He knows their system, he moves in their system, and he’s constantly moving.”
The other big impact player for the Hawkeyes this season has been fifth year forward Filip Rebraca. He’s been the second best scorer on the team, averaging 14.4 points per game on a team-high 58% shooting from the field regarding players with over 10 shot attempts. He’s another player who cleans up well on the glass, averaging 8.9 rebounds a game with a team-high 57 offensive rebounds this season.
“They are really working inside and out through him, I think he’s been a difference maker, I think he’s gotten a little bit more involved in the offense not just scoring but he’s passing really well in the post,” Willard said.
The game will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will take place at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
