Jump to content

Maryland Pre Game Thread


IUFLA

Recommended Posts

When: Saturday, January 29th 2:30 PM EST

Where: Xfinity Center, College Park, Maryland

TV: Fox

Indiana travels to College Park to play the 11-9 (3-6, 10th in Big Ten) Terps

Big 10 Results so far:

image.png.62a618110d45bd34629305c669c64f80.png

image.png.56e8de0f02d4791f09d5973199bac427.png

image.png.72201af3729d13f6f470394b7c2323c4.png

The Terps have won 2 in a row after a terrible start to their Big 10 season, beating Illinois at home, and Rutgers on the road. Eric Ayala, who we're familar with from years past, leads them in scoring. The guy has a lot of natural talent, but doesn't seem to get the most out of it all the time. Point guard Fatts Russell (Rhode Island transfer), Donta Scott, Hakim Hart, and center Qudus Wahab (Georgetown transfer) round out the starting 5.

Scott is another hot and cold guy. Loads of talent, it's just not always on display. Wahab has been playing better of late...More of a defensive guy that gets a lot of putbacks...Russell is ultra quick PG that has struggled from behind the arc (32%) but hit 5-8 from 3 last time out against Rutgers. Highly regarded freshman center Julian Reese has been coming on of late, and he can hit the 3 ball (4-7 in his last 3 games).

This is a long, talented team that doesn't always play as hard as they can, although interim coach Danny Manning has them playing better. Even in their wins, they seem to finally turn it on after struggling and get the victory. It'll be tough for IU on the road, but a win here goes a long way toward finishing in the top 5 of the conference.

Edited by IUFLA
  • Like 4
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, IU Scott said:

Slowing Russell will be the key.  It seems he is very quick and hard to keep him from getting to the basket.

 

55 minutes ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Containing Russell and Ayala will be the deciding factor in defending Maryland, can’t let those guys get hot behind the Arc

I agree with both of those. Donta Scott had started to play up to his capability (18 PPG in his previous 4 games) until he laid an egg at Rutgers (3 points)...It'll be a good test for Race.

I figure X will cover Russell, but who on Ayala? Stewart? That'd leave Hart for Kopp...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

Containing Russell and Ayala will be the deciding factor in defending Maryland, can’t let those guys get hot behind the Arc

Great point.  Which IU team shows up to play?  The one from the first half last night, or those guys from the second half?  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, dgambill said:

With Rob out....Xavier really really needs to have a SMART game. I don't need 16 pts again....but he is going to have to pace himself out there and stay out of foul trouble. It's his team for the forseeable future and we are thin with KL & Rob sidelined.

A small part of me is thinking this would be a nice time for us to get one of those "COVID Postponements"

  • Like 1
  • Haha 3
  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, KoB2011 said:

Why? It's a completely winnable game and then we have a week off to get ready for a huge home game with Illinois. 

@dgambill brought up X needing to stay out of foul trouble so it just made me think we are 3 early fouls away from playing a large junk of that game without a point guard. Extra time for KL to heal/work into the rotation is all. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...