Big Ten Basketball: Maryland vs. Rutgers preview, prediction, TV schedule
The Maryland Terrapins take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten conference game and need to avoid a big upset on the road.
TV Schedule: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Arena: Louis Brown Athletic Center, Piscataway, New
The Big Ten has been all over the place this year. A few teams looked to cement themselves as early threats but have stumbled down the stretch. Many thought it would produce a title contender, but the league has been underwhelming as a whole.
The Terrapins started the season off well but have struggled lately. They have lost three in a row and five of the last seven games. While they were ranked as high as no. 17 in the AP poll this season they have slipped out of the rankings. They enter the game with a record of 22-7 and 10-6 in conference play.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have clinched a losing season for the 11th year in a row, unless they win out and pull a few upsets in the Big Ten tournament. They only have two games remaining and have a 13-16 record with a 2-14 record in conference play. The last season Rutgers made a postseason tournament was 2006-07, when they made the NIT with a 19-14 record.
Maryland sits in the upper tier of the league and is tied for third with Minnesota and Michigan State. They trail first place by only two games and could significantly improve their tournament resume if they can win some Big Ten tournament games. They end the season in a potential tie-breaker game with Michigan State.
Maryland handled Rutgers in the first meeting of the season fairly easily, 67-55 in College Park. At this point of the season it may come down to who wants it more. Maryland can’t afford a bad loss to a team like Rutgers, but the Scarlet Knights have few games left to play and nothing to lose.
Next: Projected NCAA Tournament field
Maryland should take care of business, but Rutgers might be able to put up a fight.
Prediction: Maryland 72, Rutgers 63