Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2021 power rankings heading into conference tournament

By Ryan Kay

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17 /
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Big Ten Basketball Maryland Terrapins (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Big Ten Basketball Maryland Terrapins (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Terrapins . 7. team. 439. . 15-10.

Wins

*Old Dominion
*Navy
*Mount St. Mary’s
*Saint Peter’s
*La Salle
*@Wisconsin
*@Illinois
*Wingate
*Minnesota (twice)
*Purdue
*Nebraska (twice)
*@Rutgers
*Michigan State

Losses

*@Clemson
*Rutgers
*@Purdue
*Michigan (twice)
*@Indiana
*Iowa
*Wisconsin
*@Penn State
*Ohio State

Net ranking: 28

KenPom ranking: 26

AP ranking: N/A

Reasons for Hope: Even though they have double-digit losses this season, they have won some games against quality opponents and the Terrapins have played well lately. They have defeated on the road, Illinois, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Overall their defense has been solid and has improved from last season as they have held their opponents 12 times to 64 points or lower this season.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Besides not having a quality non-conference win, with the exception of Minnesota, they have not dominated teams this season. Maryland doesn’t necessarily need to defeat times by 20 but by allowing teams to hang around late in the 2nd half, they can lose games down the stretch and in the conference tournament that could prevent them from making the NCAA tournament.

Brief Overview of the Season

Maryland and head coach Mark Turgeon brought back five of their top nine scorers from last season in guard Eric Ayala, forward Donta Scott, guard Hakim Hart, forward Darryl Morsell, and guard Aaron Wiggins. That experience from those players has allowed them to beat teams they should beat and have a legitimate chance at making the NCAA tournament this year.

Turgeon’s team is not playing as well as they did last season when they went 24-7, but they are not playing terribly this season as well. This Maryland team does not have a high ceiling and high expectations in comparison to last season’s team but they are still competitive in the Big Ten play with some solid victories.

The Terrapins and their fan base would love for this year’s team to make the NCAA tournament this season and with their high NET ranking, it is a strong possibility that if they finish the season with two or more wins, they should make the tournament.

Maryland looks to continue to battle night in and night out and even though they may not win close games as they did last season, they are determined to make the NCAA tournament and not settle for an NIT tournament invitation. The Terrapins will look to have Scott, Wiggins, and Ayala lead this young but talented group heading into the Big Ten tournament. The Terrapins next play Northwestern on Wednesday.

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