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Illinois at Maryland: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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In what is a rematch of a 76-64 Illinois win in Champaign earlier this month, Maryland hosts the Illinois Fighting Illini badly needing a win.

When: Friday, January 21 at 7:00 pm ET on FS1

Location: XFINITY Center, College Park, MD

Having lost five of their last six games, Maryland hosts Illinois on Friday night in a rematch from earlier this month.

Maryland is coming off an 83-64 road loss at Michigan on Tuesday night, a game in which the Terrapins never led, as well as trailed 39-19 at halftime. While the Terrapins did receive a game-high 22 points from guard Eric Ayala, Maryland fell behind due to a late first-half run, as well as the Wolverines have shot a combined 58.3% against the Terrapins.

Having struggled in recent weeks, the Terrapins currently sit at 9-9 on the year (1-6 in Big Ten) and are averaging 70.5 PPG while allowing 69.8 PPG. Leading Maryland in scoring is the previously mentioned Ayala, while guard Fatts Russell and forward Donta Scott also average 12 PPG.

Despite a 96-88 double-overtime loss to Purdue in their most-recent contest, Illinois is moving in a completely different direction than Maryland having won six of their last seven. Despite the loss to the No. 4 ranked Boilermakers the team had four players in double-figures, led by a game-high 24 points from Alfonso Plummer, as well as 20 from Andre Curbelo.

The No. 17 ranked team nationally, the Fighting Illini are one of the eight teams ranked by KenPom in the Top 20 of offensive and defensive efficiency nationally and come into this contest at 13-4 overall, as well as 6-1 in Big Ten play. Leading Illinois is star center Kofi Cockburn (21.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG), while four guards also average in double-figures in the previously mentioned Plummer and Curbelo, as well as Trent Frazier and Jacob Grandison.

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Despite a road game for the Fighting Illini, this is certainly Illinois’ game to lose, even despite Maryland having the pieces to be able to match up with Cockburn and others. Expect a closer game within the first half, but for Illinois to pull away in the second half, led by another big game from the recently returned Andre Curbelo.

Prediction: Illinois 75, Maryland 64

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