Maryland Basketball: 2019-20 Keys for Terrapins to beat Temple

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Anthony Cowan Jr. #1 of the Maryland Terrapins dribbles the ball against Kevin McClain #11 of the Belmont Bruins in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at VyStar Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on March 21, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Aaron Wiggins #2 of the Maryland Terrapins shoots against Javonte Smart #1 of the LSU Tigers during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

1. 3-Point Shooting

Though they have a lot of guys who can shoot the ball, the Terrapins have struggled from three to start the year. As a team, Maryland is only shooting 28.7% (33-115) from downtown on the year. This is really bad for a team that shot 34.9% from three last year and returned all their shooters. Big man Bruno Fernando, now in the NBA, wasn’t exactly raining threes for the Terps last year. The Terps have the talent to rain from deep and should look to get their shooting going against the Owls.

Sharpshooter Aaron Wiggins has especially struggled to start this season. He is currently shooting 26.7% (8-30) from three this year, after shooting over 40% during his freshman year last year. Though he has found other ways to score this year, Wiggins’ three-point shooting will be key for the Terps against Temple, and throughout the season. Lots of his looks have been open, and Wiggins should be able to heat up and get back to his true form from deep.

A couple other guys, Eric Ayala (22.7%) and Jalen Smith (0.0%), have also been struggling from deep. Ayala was almost as good as Wiggins last year, hitting 40.6% of his threes. He has been inconsistent this year, looking great from deep in some games while struggling in others. Stix only shot 26.8% from deep last year and has only attempted shots from behind the arc. But, he has a good-looking strong and is talented enough to hit from deep. He had a key three-pointer late against LSU in Maryland’s tournament loss last year. If Smith is able to hit from deep it will stretch the floor for the Terps and open up driving lanes for Maryland’s guards.

Temple has been above average against the three to start this year. The Owls are allowing their opponents to hit on only 29.8% of attempts from deep this year. Despite this, the Terrapins should be able to have plenty of opportunities from three thanks to their superior size and plethora of shooters. The Terps will need to get it going from deep for a big game against Temple and to win throughout the season.

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