Maryland Basketball: Terps win 5th straight in blowout vs. Michigan State

Maryland’s big three shines, Hakim Hart is a rising star

Eric Ayala was the high point man for the Terps with 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Ayala’s two years under Anthony Cowan Jr. served him well. Look at what he has been able to do. He has been very impressive at the point guard spot for this team. The Terps were 23-of-24 from the free-throw line, and Ayala made all 13 of his. I remember when he was struggling last season to find his shot, and the game against Illinois changed everything for him.

Maryland fans should expect Ayala’s level of play to rise under the bright lights of the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament as the Terps floor general.

Aaron Wiggins has been playing himself into Big Ten postseason awards. Wiggins was primarily a three-point shooter last season, and he has asserted himself as a scorer and rebounder. He gave the Maryland fans another highlight-reel dunk to marvel at when he threw down a 360-slam as the Terps lead grew to 15 points. Of course, the Terps bench erupted. He finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds.

The Terps big three of Darryl Morsell, Eric Ayala, and Aaron Wiggins have led by example this season with leadership and their play on the court. There is no one on this team tougher than Morsell. He’s battled a shoulder injury the entire season. Franz Wagner elbowed him in the face, and a facial bone fracture prompted surgery.

Still, he came back a week or two later wearing a mask and played the way we expect. Then, his shoulder popped out twice during the Rutgers win; the team rested him all last week and that paid off. The guy is tough as nails. He’s the heart and soul of the team because of it. He finished the game with 11 points shooting 4-of-5 from the field.

Hakim Hart is going to be a great player for the Terps in years to come. Some probably thought that his 32-point game in non-conference play was nothing to be excited about, but he has continued to play at a high level. He scored 10 points in this game.

Hart was a guy that we didn’t get to see a lot last year due to him being a freshman. He started playing minutes at the point guard spot, which gave Ayala the freedom to move off the ball. Ayala noticed an effort and energy shift from him earlier in the year. This season, his game has taken off, and it’s exciting to wonder how much he will improve in the offseason.

He will be in the starting lineup early and often for the Terps next season. I’m not sure if he will be the focal point of next year’s squad, but he will be a player to watch.