Maryland men’s basketball resumes Big Ten play at Purdue on Christmas
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Typically for Maryland basketball, Christmas mean solar day is a time to rest, regroup and gloat the holidays ahead of a grueling January Big Ten slate. Unfortunately, a COVID-19 crisis coupled with a condensed schedule has left little room for festivities — but a win on Christmas could help the Terps provide some needed holiday spirit.
"I'yard looking forwards to it," said junior guard Eric Ayala. "Christmas is probably a majority of people's favorite vacation. Information technology's a souvenir-giving holiday and hopefully we can give to the Terps fans a well played game and we'd like to come up away with a win."
Subsequently only two days of residue, Maryland (v-ii, 0-1 B1G) will be headed to Purdue (6-3, 1-1 B1G) looking to earn its first Big Ten victory. The last fourth dimension these sides met, Maryland cruised to a seven-point victory backside a stiff defensive performance and a Jalen Smith double-double.
Last season, the Boilermakers were notorious for their lackluster offensive displays and this twelvemonth is no different. Currently, Purdue has committed 128 turnovers for the flavor — second in the Large Ten behind Illinois' 129. The Boilermakers also sit down at the bottom of the league in scoring, averaging 72.iv points per game.
This should be good news for the Terps, notwithstanding, like Rutgers, Purdue features a front court oriented offense that Maryland has yet to prove it can handle. Junior frontward Trevion Williams and seven-foot-four freshman Zach Edey, who average a combined 23 points per contest, will bring major matchup issues for the Terps.
"They play through [Edey] and Williams," said head coach Marker Turgeon. "They're both good low postal service players, Williams is probably a better passer."
Maryland will accept to await to its front court defense force to make any bear on in Mackey Arena. With front court minutes split between Jairus Hamilton, Donta Scott, Galin Smith and Chol Marial, at that place are plenty of options to baby-sit Williams. But Edey'south sizable presence demands an as sizable defender. It's likely Marial, the Terps best shot blocker and only seven footer, will be playing more minutes to match up with Edey.
"The reason [Edey] is able to play, especially around the basket is because he'southward 285 pounds," Turgeon said. "That's a tough load near the handbasket."
Offense is of import too. Maryland has taken massive strides in shot selection, protecting the ball and have enjoyed some successful sequences on criminal offense — essential improvements when facing a squad as defensively capable every bit the Boilermakers.
Merely defense is Turgeon's platonic brand of basketball. And the Terps have already shown their propensity to succeed on the defensive finish — the claiming is to improve and sustain that success as competition improves. Forcing turnovers that interpret into easy buckets allowed Maryland to hold on to an elusive lead to La Salle, and it will surely bring similar fortunes against Purdue. Maryland's hopes of winning this game begin and cease in the front end courtroom.
Tip off is scheduled for 2:30 p.g. and the game will air on FS1.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/maryland-mens-basketball-resumes-big-ten-play-at-purdue-on-christmas/
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