With their postseason hopes all but gone barring a lengthy run in the Big Ten Tournament following a third Q3 loss to Rutgers on Tuesday night, Maryland travels to Columbus this weekend to face off against Ohio State. After a hot start to the season, the Buckeyes imploded during conference play and have lost eight of their last nine games. Their three conference wins all came at home, against Minnesota, Rutgers, and Penn State. With all of these struggles, Chris Holtmann's seat has become increasingly warm.
Ohio State is led by sophomore guards Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle, Jr., and senior forward Jamison Battle. They all average more than 14 points per game and shoot better than 40% from the field. Battle is their best pure shooter, averaging 46% from the field, 44% from beyond the arc, and 95% from the charity stripe. Overall though, it's their defense that's caused them the biggest problems and currently ranks as the third-worst in the conference only ahead of Iowa and Michigan.
Since joining the Big Ten, Maryland is 9-6 against Ohio State. However, they've won just two of the last six matchups and haven't picked up a win in Columbus since January, 2019.
KenPom Rankings
- Maryland: #59 (#190 AdjO, #6 AdjD; #306 AdjT)
- Ohio State: #67 (#40 AdjO, #128 AdjD; #304 AdjT)
