Maryland Basketball: 3 takeaways from Terps back-to-back wins vs. Nebraska

Maryland basketball couldn’t afford to lay an egg against the Cornhuskers late in the season if they wanted to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

In the first game, turnovers were a factor for both teams. They made errant passes in the half-court and got the ball stolen. There were 27 turnovers between the two teams, and Nebraska had 13 of the Terps miscues via steals.

Aaron Wiggins put on a dominant performance with his 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Terps need him to keep playing at this level if they want to make a real push toward the NCAA Tournament.

Wiggin’s performance was followed by 15 points and five rebounds from Jairus Hamilton. Hamilton’s preparation has paid off because he has performed at a high level when the Terps need his production. He has given them a lift in perimeter shooting this season. Hamilton continued his hot shooting from out there in game two. He finished with 13 points.

The 20-6 run that the Terps went was led by Wiggins, and they were also more physical than the Cornhuskers on the boards. They finished with a 43-28 advantage in the 64-50 victory.

Nebraska came into this game playing their seventh game in 12 days. Fatigue was going to be a factor once again.

Turnovers were something to watch for both teams. They had close to the 30 combined in game one. In the first half, they had only six, which was good news.

For the Terps, Wiggins and Eric Ayala combined for 30 points as they had a 40-33 lead at the break.

Lat Mayen and Teddy Allen were the bright spots for the Cornhuskers. While they kept the game close, the Terps pulled away down the stretch for the most part.

Coming out of halftime, the Terps continued to pour it on with excellent ball movement and efficient perimeter shooting.

The Terps stave off a late surge by the Cornhuskers to bring home a  79-71 victory. These were games they needed to have in the win column. Ayala finished the game with 24 points and seven rebounds. Wiggins was right behind him with 22 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Donta Scott had a quiet, eight rebounds, eight assists, and six points. His numbers didn’t jump off the stat sheet, but he was efficient in every area of the game, which is all the matters.

Maryland basketball has a favorable schedule the rest of the way. They play four unranked opponents to close the regular season.

The Terps have a chance. They are on the bubble and slotted as the first team out in the latest ESPN bracketology. Their position could change if they win their remaining regular-season games and have an excellent Big Ten Tournament showing.

They’re off until Sunday when they play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on the road. Game time is 3 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

Nebraska’s path doesn’t get any easier. They play the Purdue Boilermakers at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday on FS1.

Aaron Wiggins brought the energy

When Wiggins plays the way he played against Nebraska, the Terps are a tough team to beat. He found his spots on the perimeter and knocked them down, but he also made his mark rebounding the ball. After struggling to get off to a good start at the beginning of the season, he has found his rhythm at the most pivotal time.

Darryl Morsell reaches the 1,000 point club

Morsell made his history Wednesday night as he crossed the 1,000 point mark in his 100th career start. You can’t say enough about the career that he has had. He is the 56th player in Maryland basketball history to do so

He has solidified himself as the glue guy for this team and has repeatedly proven that he is an excellent leader. After all, the Terps do have quite an advantage when he scores in double figures.

Morsell has been the best defender the program has seen during his tenure, and he sets the tone with his play on that end. He had six points and three steals in the second straight win against Nebraska.

Terps defense and ball movement were superb

When a team plays stout defense and moves the ball well offensively, they will win games nine times out of 10.

Maryland basketball had eyes for the basketball the entire away and showed their length when collapsing in the paint and cutting off passing lanes.

The Terps lived by the three-point shot. When they made them, it stung the Cornhuskers. The misses didn’t matter that much because they were so efficient in other areas of the game.

I give the Huskers credit in this regard. They didn’t quit and let their deficit grow in game two. They fought back to get it within single digits.