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Big Ten Basketball: Michigan contains Maryland stars to win top-25 battle

By Anthony Brown

COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 03: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a call in the first half during a college basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - MARCH 03: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a call in the first half during a college basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at the XFinity Center on March 3, 2019 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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No. 9 Michigan and No. 17 Maryland met once again in Big Ten Basketball. The Wolverines got a complete performance from their starters on their way to victory.

A more aggressive Maryland basketball team came out to start the game as they took an early 6-0 lead thanks to two three-point shots made by Jalen Smith and Darryl Morsell.

After that, the game went back and forth. Both teams were scoring well despite Michigan’s first-half struggles from the three-point line (1-of-11).

This helped Maryland keep the game close. Bruno Fernando made some nice plays. The downside for the Terps in the first half was apparent in their lack of free-throw shooting and Anthony Cowan Jr. only scoring two points.

For Michigan basketball, Zavier Simpson led the way scoring and getting his teammates involved. He finished the first half with six points, six assists, and three rebounds. He scored the go-ahead bucket to end the half with an easy dribble-drive layup.

The Wolverines were up four, 28-24.

Five minutes into the second half, Maryland tied the game at 39 apiece after Eric Ayala hit a corner three from the left side.

For Maryland to win, they needed to make sure they scored on most of their possessions and played solid defense. Fernando contributed to the defensive effort with six blocks. He and Smith were doing their best to wear down Michigan’s defense, Smith had 11 points and five rebounds next to Fernando’s eight points and six rebounds.

Ignas Brazdeikis had 12 points and six rebounds under 11 minutes remaining, picking up where he left off in the last meeting. Jon Teske, however, struggled from the three-point line for Michigan.

Maryland outscored the Wolverines 16-11 while Simpson was on the bench with three fouls but that didn’t stop the Wolverines from finding ways to score and keeping a small lead.

When he got back in the game, they went on a 7-0 run and led by five, 48-43.

The floodgates opened for Michigan after two Brazdeikis baskets hit the bottom of the net, Simpson hit his fourth running hook shot in the paint and Teske hit a three-pointer to give the Wolverines a 58-49 lead with 3:15 left in the game.

The Terps had a chance to come back after Cowan Jr. hit a three cutting the deficit to five once again but Michigan’s shot selection down the stretch was too much to overcome and they lost 69-62.

Michigan was able to contain  Cowan Jr. and Fernando defensively as they were a combined 9-of-28 shooting from the field. Brazdeikis led the Wolverines with 21 points and seven rebounds. Simpson (12 points, 10 assists) and Teske (11 points, 10 rebounds) played very well in the second half. Even though Teske struggled shooting the ball in the game, he made important plays when the Wolverines needed it.

Maryland basketball needed more out of Cowan Jr. in this game. He was nonexistent in the first half. Simpson got the better of him once again and Michigan capitalized off of the Terps’ poor execution.

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Maryland basketball will play their last game of the regular season at home against the Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday, March 8, at 6:30 pm on FS1. Michigan goes on the road to play No.6 Michigan State this Saturday at 8 pm ET on ESPN.

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