Maryland Basketball: 2019-20 keys to road victory over Indiana Hoosiers

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 21: Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts after a play in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 21, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 21: Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Jalen Smith needs to get in a rhythm early

Indiana is going to find a multitude of ways to try and stop Smith from getting off to a fast start. He started to heat up in the second half against Northwestern and fueled the Terps comeback.

Smith has been playing very well for the Terps this season as a sophomore and leader in the frontcourt. He didn’t make the 2020 Karl Malone Award Watchlist for no reason. He has 10 double-double’s this season and has shown he can shoot efficiently from the three-point line. That ability adds to his game and benefits Maryland’s offense. As a team, Maryland is streaky from out there but when those shots fall, they fall, and more things open up for the offense.

In order for Smith to make an impact on the road in a hostile environment, he’ll need to do it on the defensive end and on the boards. The Terps will try to get him the ball inside and set him up for pick and pop or catch and shoot opportunities. Those have been effective. In case those shots come few and far between due to Indiana’s defense, he’ll need to do other things to make his presence felt.

Smith has been consistent all season and the Terps will need him to continue that effort as they look to close out Indiana in the regular-season series.

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