Busting Brackets
Fansided

Butler Basketball vs. Maryland: 2017 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 12: Kamar Baldwin
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 12: Kamar Baldwin /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Gavitt Tipoff Games have given us some great matchups for the 2017 early season schedule. Can Butler add a quality road win over Maryland?

Tip Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV Schedule: Fox Sports 1

Location: XFINITY Center in College Park, MD

Butler Bulldogs

Live Feed

Butler vs. St. John's prediction and odds for Big East Tournament first round
Butler vs. St. John's prediction and odds for Big East Tournament first round /

FanSided

  • When is the Big East Championship Final?FanSided
  • Butler vs. DePaul prediction and odds for Wednesday, February 22 (Bulldogs struggle on the road)FanSided
  • Georgetown vs. Butler prediction and odds for Sunday, February 19 (Back the Bulldogs)FanSided
  • Butler vs. Villanova prediction and odds for Tuesday, February 14FanSided
  • Butler vs. UConn prediction and odds for Sunday, January 22 (Take the points)FanSided

    • Butler comes into this game at 2-0 after victories over Kennesaw State and Princeton. These might not be the toughest opponents in the entire country, but taking on Princeton is no easy task, even if it was at home. The Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League play last season and return enough to make a run at that conference title again while also potentially making the NCAA Tournament again.

    So far this season, there have been several positive signs for the Dawgs. Entering their most difficult game yet, the team has excelled so far in defensive rebounding, playing at an up-tempo pace, and capitalizing on shots inside the 3-point arc. These are all major facets of the game, but the Bulldogs will need to do better at both shooting the three and defending the three.

    In their first two games, Butler is shooting just 11- 41 (26.8%) from deep while giving up 18-33 (54.5%) shooting from beyond the arc. Maryland is not the best 3-point shooting team in the country, but they have the players that can beat you from deep if they are left open. This weakness will need to be shored up quickly.

    Player to Watch: Senior Kelan Martin

    In the first two games of the season, Kelan Martin has been excellent for Butler. Entering the year, people were expecting Martin to be a high-volume scorer for the team and although he has followed through on that, Martin has also done much more. While leading the team in minutes per game (34.0), Martin also leads the team in scoring (20.0) and rebounding (11.5). His ability to rebound as a wing player is awesome and has contributed tremendously to how well Butler has picked up defensive rebounds this season.

    In addition, Martin has done a very good job choosing the right times to shoot and has not been forcing things on the offensive end. So far, he has been more open to passing this season and has picked his moments in terms of when to shoot and when to dish it off. If the first two games of this season are any indication, Martin is in for a huge season.

    Maryland Terrapins

    Live Feed

    Maryland vs. Michigan State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
    Maryland vs. Michigan State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

    Betsided

  • Best Prop Bets for Virginia vs. Maryland in College Football Week 3Betsided
  • How to Win Instant $200 Terrapins Bonus at BetMGMTerrapin Station
  • Previewing ACC football's biggest games in Week 3Saturday Blitz
  • College Football Betting Trends to Know in Week 3: Bet this Alabama Trend After Loss to TexasBetsided
  • Big Ten football: 2023 Week 2 power rankingsSaturday Blitz

    • Also 2-0, the Maryland Terrapins have dismantled both Stony Brook and Maryland-Eastern Shore so far. This being said, Butler is clearly their toughest opponent early in the season. Even though they are playing at home, this will be a major test for the Terrapins. Thankfully for them, the team has three stellar sophomores and a top coach in Mark Turgeon.

    The key for Maryland in this game is starting out strong. The Terps have started slowly in each of their first two games while Butler has shown the ability to build up early leads in their first couple of games. In what figures to be a close game, the No. 1 thing to look for out of Maryland is improved free throw shooting. In their first two games, the Terps are shooting 41-for-59 from the charity stripe. Although this is fair shooting from the line, it is far from elite.

    Considering this will be their first time potentially shooting free throws in crunch time, it will be interesting to see how their young players react. It helps that they will be in front of their home crowd, but shooting effectively from the free throw line will be important.

    Player to Watch: Sophomore Justin Jackson

    So far this season, Justin Jackson has been phenomenal on the boards. In addition to being the third-leading scorer on the team at 9.5 points per game, Jackson’s 10.0 rebounds per game put him knocking on the door of averaging a double-double in the first two games of the new year. In addition to his counting stats, though, either Jackson or sophomore Kevin Huerter will be tasked with guarding Kelan Martin in this game.

    While Jackson is a very solid all-around player for Maryland, he could be the X-factor in this game. Jackson’s ability to play tough defense while also contributing in other facets of the game make him one of the more underrated players on this roster. Huerter and leading scorer Anthony Cowan might be the top scorers for the Terps in this game, but Jackson could be the best overall performer if Maryland comes out on top.

    Next: 68 reasons to be excited for college hoops

    This is clearly the toughest test for both of these teams early in the new season. However, Butler does have more close-game experience thanks to their battle against potentially NCAA Tournament-bound Princeton. With senior leaders in Martin and Tyler Wideman leading the frontcourt, the Bulldogs have the ability to control the glass in this one and limit Maryland’s second chance opportunities.

    While potentially controlling the glass, Butler has talented defensive guards in Kamar Baldwin and Aaron Thompson that will make things difficult for Maryland’s guards. This will be a hard-fought battle from start to finish, but I see the Big East coming away with the road victory in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

    Final Prediction: Butler 84, Maryland 79