Maryland vs. Purdue: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
The Purdue Boilermakers will host a Maryland basketball team that looks to avoid its second Big Ten loss of the season.
TV Schedule: Friday, December 25, 2:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Where: Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN
Maryland basketball needs to start their conference-only schedule strong. On the road at Mackey Arena, it won’t be easy. The Boilermakers have made the most of their opportunities in their nonconference schedule with key wins against Valparaiso, No. 23 Ohio State, and Notre Dame. The Terps were handed consecutive losses by the Clemson Tigers and the No. 11 Rutgers Scarlet Knights, games they needed to win.
Junior forward Trevion Williams is the one that makes this team go. He averages 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He attacks the basket well using his size and post moves to take advantage of his defender.
He is also a great passer in the post and that ability shined the brightest in the Boilermakers‘ 67-60 win over the Buckeyes where he recorded 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. The Buckeyes couldn’t stop him from making no-look passes in the post.
Eric Hunter Jr. leads the Boilermakers in scoring with 14 points per game. He provides the Boilermakers with a guard who can get his teammates involved in the offense, shoot efficiently at all three levels, and run the fast break.
Sasha Stefanovic is their sharpshooter from the perimeter. So far, he’s shooting at 52 percent from out there and 48 percent from the field. Zach Edey, the 7-foot-4, 285-pound freshman from Canada, gives them another capable big man alongside Williams who can make plays on both ends of the floor.
The Boilermakers put for guys on the perimeter and one in the post which has benefited their big men down low. This gives them an advantage because their frontcourt starters are skilled. Also, it puts the opposing defense in a bind if they want to double team because Purdue can pass the ball out for a perimeter shot or find someone cutting to the basket for the score.
So far for Maryland basketball, Donta Scott has been the Terps most effective player on the floor. In their two losses to the Clemson Tigers and Rutgers, Scott led the team in scoring. He’s averaging 13 points and seven rebounds. He has been the best three-point shooter for the Terps and is one of the most efficient shooters from the field.
Eric Ayala needs to set the tone for the Terps offensively. Against Rutgers, he scored 12 points which is good but only one assist. He has to be more diligent about getting his teammates involved in the offense. High assist numbers and good ball movement can be the difference in a game.
Aaron Wiggins (9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg) and Darryl Morsell (7.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, three apg) have battled injuries early this season. The Terps are going to need more leadership and productivity out of those two. Big Ten play calls for it. Wiggins hasn’t had a hot shooting game like many were expecting coming off of his award-winning season last year. Morsell has to get the Terps going with his energy on the defensive end of the floor.
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The Terps need to get off to a good start in this game. Avoiding turnovers is going to be paramount and they have to get good shots to go down early. They can’t afford to be down 10-0, 12-2, or any other variation on the road. They have to respond. While I believe the Terps can play Purdue well on Christmas Day, the Boilermakers haven’t lost at Mackey Arena yet and the Terps with their recent struggles aren’t the likely candidate to change that.
Prediction: Maryland 68 – Purdue 75