Maryland Basketball (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) and the Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) square off to start the new year and continue Big Ten play.
Who: Nebraska Cornhuskers (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) at Maryland Terrapins (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
TV Schedule: Wednesday, January 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network (BTN)
Location: Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are coming into College Park looking to get their fifth win in a row. They blew out the Southwest Minnesota State Golden Mustangs, 79-38, in their last contest. The Cornhuskers had four players with double-figure point totals and the Mustangs were outrebounded 47-30 (14-6 offensively).
Maryland basketball won their last nonconference game, beating the Radford Highlanders, 78-64, in a game which they needed to win after being upset by Seton Hall. Along with Bruno Fernando‘s 19 points and 12 rebounds, the Terps got quality minutes from Eric Ayala, Darryl Morsell, and Anthony Cowan. They combined for 37 points and eight assists. Radford’s Travis Fields Jr. and Carlik Jones combined for 42 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds in the loss.
Nebraska’s James Palmer Jr. (19.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG) is a playmaker. He is largely responsible for the Cornhuskers being where they are right now and he is someone that the Terps will definitely need to contain. In watching film on Nebraska, his name was called frequently and he made plays time and time again. Palmer is the leader for Nebraska but they do have other scoring options in Isaac Copeland Jr. (14.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Glynn Watson Jr. (13.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.1 APG) and Isaiah Roby (10.1 PPG, six RPG).
Maryland Basketball will have to depend on their defense more than anything if they want to win this game. The Cornhuskers haven’t scored below 60 points all season long and the Terps have allowed more than 60 points scored in nine games this year. Maryland did not have Jalen Smith in the lineup last game so if he plays, that will be a big help on both ends of the court.
With a new year coming, half the season is gone and we’re that much closer to the NCAA Tournament. Both teams need a win here to start on the right foot but who wants it more will be answered Wednesday.