Maryland Basketball (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten) is rolling on a four-game winning streak. The 22nd ranked Indiana Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) will be coming into town looking for a victory after their 74-63 Michigan loss.
Who: Indiana Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) at Maryland Terrapins (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten)
TV Schedule: Friday, January 11 at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Sports One (FS1)
Location: Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland
It was a tale of two halves for Maryland basketball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) as they were down by six, 40-34 at halftime. A zone defensive switch helped the Terps jumpstart their offense and they were able to get inside the paint, draw fouls and handle their business at the free throw line, 24-27 (88.9 percent). The three-point shot was very kind to them in the second half of the game as they made six-of-seven from out there.
Anthony Cowan Jr. finished the game with 27 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Jalen Smith continued his excellent play as of late with 21 points, eight rebounds and two steals and Bruno Fernando had 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Terps were also effective against the Golden Gophers in their bench play (18-8) and fast break points (12-5). It was impressive to see them fight to take control of the game on the road and keep it. It was this kind of energy on the defensive end and offensive spark that they missed time and time again which resulted in the 2-8 road record they had last year.
The Terps will be up against one of the Big Ten’s best guards in Romeo Langford (18.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG). He and Juwan Morgan (16.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG) are the high point men for the Indiana Hoosiers and I’ll be interested to see who can win the guard-big man battle in this game: Cowan Jr. and Fernando vs Langford and Morgan. Whichever pair can outlast the other wins the game.
After defeating Minnesota, this will be a game in the first of a few must-win games in Big Ten play. This young team for the Terps is showing people they have something in them.