Maryland’s guards have a lot to give, and they’ve shown it all season
(Photo Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
The story of the flavour has revolved around Maryland's persistent struggles down depression. As one of the smallest teams in the league and one of the only teams in the conference lacking whatsoever true low post threat, Maryland (nine-8, three-7 B1G) truly is in a unique position.
All the same, forepart court talents like Galin Smith and Donta Scott accept stepped up at various points of the flavor. Both have proved to exist readily capable of mitigating the Terps low mail service woes, but the true heroes of this flavour come in guard course.
Amidst all of the doubt, the hype and everything in between, Maryland's guards have been collectively producing at a high level. And while baby-sit play hasn't exactly been Maryland's saving grace this season, the back court has kept the Terps afloat in the biggest contests of the year.
"I nevertheless retrieve there's a ton of fight in u.s. and good days alee for Maryland basketball game," head coach Mark Turgeon said.
It was at that place for Maryland when they needed a late game push past then No. 6 Wisconsin, where Eric Ayala and Aaron Wiggins combined for 32. It was available late in the game again at and then No. 12 Illinois when Darryl Morsell'south all-time Rip Hamilton impersonation translated to 15 second half points and a career high scoring operation. Hakim Hart'due south become-ahead three in the closing minute helped wrap things up in Champaign too.
Maryland'due south back courtroom was also productive the entire afternoon at and so No. 17 Minnesota, playing a pestering brand of defense on Marcus Carr every bit Ayala went on to score 21 at the Barn.
Wiggins, Ayala, Morsell and Hart have been playing their roles masterfully, still their efforts have largely taken a back seat in a flavor spoiled by injury, incredibly talented opponents and aforementioned front court struggles.
So, as the Terps fix for their second tour against No. 24 Purdue (12-four, 7-4 B1G), a team that has leaned on its own guard talent every bit of late, their dorsum court will need to go along to produce, against the Boilermakers and for the residuum of the season.
Aside from their star big, Trevion Williams, the Boilermakers roster includes an improved Brandon Newman, who's coming off a career-high 29 points against Minnesota in a victory.
Since the two sides concluding met on Christmas, Newman has won the Big 10 Freshman of the week award twice. And the freshman has solidified his scoring role on an already deep team, providing another element to the multi-faceted Boilermakers set on.
"They're hard to guard," Turgeon said. "They got a slap-up depression mail service game. They got really good shooters, they claiming you."
With Sasha Stefanovic out due to COVID complications and with Williams slightly out of class, averaging 34% from the field in his past two contests, it'south possible Newman will be taking on a larger function and volition be looking to score equally he did his terminal time out.
"[Newman]'s not gonna sneak up on u.s.a. [on Tuesday]," Turgeon said "He however might play well and score a lot of points simply it'll exist because he earned it. Our guys will be locked in to guard him."
Of course, it'll exist Maryland's back court, specially Morsell, fix to make everything hard for Newman and the residual of his backcourt teammates — most notably Jaden Ivey and Eric Hunter Jr.
Morsell has seemed poised all flavor to have on the best guard talent the Large Ten has to offer, and then it'south unlikely his fervor for battling large time players will stammer against the freshman.
But if it does, he'll have a perfectly capable back court that has his back, and as they have all year, there's a good adventure they'll show up — in one way or another.
Morsell said information technology best after the teams 3rd Big Ten win of the flavor: "this team full of dogs." And Maryland's dogs aren't the biggest on the court, just they seem keen on bringing a skilful fight every now and so.
Tip-off is at half-dozen:30 pm and the game will air on BTN.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/marylands-guards-have-a-lot-to-give-theyve-shown-it-all-season/
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