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Maryland Basketball: 2019-20 keys to victory over Nebraska at home

By Jason Belt

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 30: Anthony Cowan Jr. #1 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Xfinity Center on January 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 30: Anthony Cowan Jr. #1 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Xfinity Center on January 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – FEBRUARY 07: Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Keep Eric Ayala on track

Many good things happened for Maryland on Friday night in Champaign, but maybe none were as good as seeing Eric Ayala contribute at a high level. He bounced back from his scoreless performance against Rutgers by scoring 12 points in the win over Illinois.

The sophomore from Delaware began the game ice cold, missing his first few threes badly and causing Maryland fans to say “here we go again”.

That didn’t stop him from competing, and after Illinois switched their defense to a packed in 2-3 zone it almost begged Ayala to shoot the three, and he did just that. After he finally got one to fall he was able to breathe, smile, and get his mojo back.

Ayala commented on his confidence and intensity after the game, stating:

"“To know my coach is fighting for me, my teammates are fighting for me- it just makes me want to go even harder.”"

He followed that by knocking down his next shot, a three that hit the back iron and knuckle-balled it’s way in, as well as a tough and-one layup after a nice spin move in the paint.

A confident, aggressive Ayala is exactly what Maryland fans have been waiting to see after his recent struggles. 12 points is the most that he has scored since he had 15 against Penn State in early December, and it is a great sign for the team as March approaches.

It’s not as if he isn’t capable of scoring at a high rate, as he was in the top 10 in 3 point field goal percentage last season, shooting just over 40%.

Ayala is a grinder, and even after his scoreless performance vs. Rutgers last Monday, he was out on the court getting shots up. That is the kind of stuff that coaches like to see their players doing, and it translated to his big game against Illinois.

In order to keep him going against Nebraska and for the long haul, expect him to get his fair share of shots on Tuesday night. If Maryland is going to keep up their success this season, Ayala is going to have to duplicate Friday’s performance many more times.

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