Maryland Basketball: Keys for Terps upset bid against No. 17 Minnesota
By Sean Cole
Maryland Basketball is looking to try and turn things around in league play as they travel to Minneapolis and “The Barn” to take on the #17th ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers.
After last Friday’s game against was canceled, the Terps’ scheduled a game with Division II school Wingate. Maryland (8-7 overall, 2-6 Big 10) are coming off a disappointing loss this past Wednesday night against a very good Michigan team, as the 7th ranked Wolverines defeated the Terp’s 87-63.
The Terps are led by 6-5 Jr. Guard Eric Ayala (13.8 ppg and 3.1 rpg), 6-7 Forward Soph. Donta Scott (12.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, and .557 FG%), 6-6 Jr. Guard Aaron Wiggins (12.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg), and 6-5 Sr Guard Darryl Morsell (8.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg).
The Golden Gophers (11-4 overall, 4-4 Big 10) game against Nebraska was postponed due to health and safety concerns because of the COVID-19 outbreak among the men’s basketball program. So, the last action Minnesota saw was this past Saturday 1/16 as Minnesota shut down #7 Michigan 75-57 in Minneapolis in a terrific defensive performance. With that win, Minnesota climbed seven spots in this week’s AP poll from #24 to #17.
The Golden Gophers are led by 6-2 Jr. Guard Marcus Carr (20.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 83 assists), 7-0 Jr. Center Liam Robbins (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 39 blocked shots), and transfer 6-6 Jr. Guard Both Gach (10.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 42 assists).
The Big 10 conference without question is the toughest conference in the Country and holding serve at home and stealing a few games on the road will make the difference in not only seeding in the Big 10 Tournament but for the Terp’s, it could make or break there changes to make the NCAA tournament. The Terp’s already gave a couple of impressive road wins against Wisconsin and against Illinois, both of which were ranked in the Top 10 at the time.
In order for Maryland to enhance their tournament chances, another big win on the road against another Top 25 will go a long way. Minnesota is a very solid team and should have no problem making this year’s NCAA Tournament. Let us take a look at what the Terp’s must do in order to pull off another upset on the road.