162 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

Following their big win over Wisconsin last week, Maryland will travel to Columbus after more than a week off for a matchup against Ohio State on Thursday night. The Buckeyes currently hold a record of 13-9 (5-6), and had won three straight games until a road loss to Illinois on Sunday afternoon. Jake Diebler's team has rebounded well after being obliterated by the Terrapins two months ago, with all but one of their losses since coming to ranked teams.

 

When these teams met in early December, Ohio State shot the ball extremely poorly (37.9%) and committed 16 turnovers. They also struggled from the free throw line (61.1%). Bruce Thornton scored just 9 points, and Devin Royal was the only starter to put up double-digit scoring numbers (18). Meanwhile, all but one of Maryland's starters scored 10+ points and they shot 46.8% from the field. The Terps led 50-17 at halftime, and never looked back.

 

Maryland is 12-11 all-time against Ohio State.

 

KenPom Rankings

• Maryland: #18 (#17 ORtg, #23 DRtg; #75 AdjT)
• Ohio State: #25 (#31 ORtg, #30 DRtg; #187 AdjT)

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Very desperate Oh St team at home.

[Mike B]

Very desperate Oh St team at home.

Yep a dangerous game.  Coming off 8 days off.  Hopefully they are still locked in, because it will be a loud house.

[Ravens2006]

Terps looked to me like they outhustled OSU and played at max effort from basically start to finish in that first matchup. I was giddy with their defensive intensity especially the first half. They held them to like 18 points or something if I recall??? Let off the gas a bit late, but I can excuse that given the score and the 40 point lead at one point.

If MD can remotely match that level of effort, "should" win. Flip side is OSU was beaten and embarrassed badly that game, so expect them to be playing as hard as they will play in any game all year for this one...

[BSLRoseKatz]

Yeah this feels pretty tricky, it's hard to sweep a team that isn't terrible and especially when you embarrassed them the first game

[Mackus]

I think being on the road is the bigger factor than whatever happened back in CP the first time.  Two straight road wins, but it took a buzzer beater to beat Indiana and Illinois was missing one of their best players.  Not yet convinced that this group will show up and play well on the road more often than not.  Would love to see a well-played game that leads to a win.  Gotta imagine confidence is sky high with the recent winning streak and the memory of the last game against OSU.  Capitalize on that and get another big win.  These are the types of games that will separate the teams that compete for the Big Ten Championship from the middle of the pack.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Ohio State enters this game as 2.5-point favorites. ESPN gives them a 56.4% chance to win.

[Mackus]

I still can't wrap my mind fully around how huge the home/road swing is in college basketball. Seems like it's a much bigger factor now than 20 years ago but I can't really figure out why. Crowds are great now, but not better than before.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I still can't wrap my mind fully around how huge the home/road swing is in college basketball. Seems like it's a much bigger factor now than 20 years ago but I can't really figure out why. Crowds are great now, but not better than before.

I think its still team dependent. Like you, Vegas doesnt trust this MD team away from home against solid teams

[You Play to Win the Game]

I’ve had a feeling Ohio St will win this game all week. Still, surprised to see them favored. But they have been playing very well lately, and they badly need this win.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I’ve had a feeling Ohio St will win this game all week. Still, surprised to see them favored. But they have been playing very well lately, and they badly need this win.

Feels inevitable its a super tight game with 4 or 5 left. Guess we will be along for the ride. Early it felt like this MD team could never close on the road. They stomp a less than 100% Illinois and then steal one in Indiana so we will see if they keep the momentum going.

[BSLChrisStoner]

When MD won 83-59 in December... 

 

Terps won the on boards 39-35. 

MD had 10 turnovers, Ohio State had 16. 

 

MD was 7 of 25 from 3, and 18 of 24 at the line.
OSU was 4 of 19 from 3, and 11 of 18 at the line. 

 

Queen had 17 and 11. 

 

 

OSU figures to shoot better than they did at MD, but MD probably has a better night from 3 as well. 

 

If MD wins on the boards, and gets to the line 20 times, they'll win. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

Since the butt whooping at the hands of the Terps, Ohio State has averaged 80.5 points per game. Since that game, they've gone 7-5, with the average margin of defeat being 4 points. They beat then #4 Kentucky by 20 points. They beat #11 Purdue by 3. 

 

They're a dangerous team. If they play well and the Terps show some rust from the week off, this game may not be close.

 

If it is close, we have a lot of experience in close games too, so it will be interesting to see how it unfolds. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

Let's see what Queen's energy looks like the first 5 minutes. 

If he's rebounding, and actively attacking the basket...  should be a good night. 

If he's lethargic, could be in trouble. 

Definitely have to think OSU will be motivated to avenge that game.
And for MD, it's hard for teams to sometime be up for a team a second time after crushing them previously.

 

But I think MD benefits from an extended rest here. 
They should have had some good practice time, and they should be dialed in and ready to go.

 

Would be weird if their not.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Last time they had this much rest, it certainly didn’t benefit them. But hopefully they’ve learned from that. Willard criticized himself for giving “college kids” so much time off. IMO, he leans too far the direction of a players coach.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Last time they had this much rest, it certainly didn’t benefit them. But hopefully they’ve learned from that. Willard criticized himself for giving “college kids” so much time off. IMO, he leans too far the direction of a players coach.

Yeah, but that was Christmas and exams, and shouldn't be the case now. 

 

As far as being too much of a players coach, I have no idea...  but in 2025, you probably can't be too much of hard ass unless your resume is so good that you have auto buy-in. 

Maybe there is chicken and egg arguments there... ie, maybe you won't have the resume, if you can't be harder on your players. 

IDK if that's required or not, and definitely don't know where Willard falls on that scale.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Yeah, but that was Christmas and exams, and shouldn't be the case now. 

 

As far as being too much of a players coach, I have no idea...  but in 2025, you probably can't be too much of hard ass unless your resume is so good that you have auto buy-in. 

Maybe there is chicken and egg arguments there... ie, maybe you won't have the resume, if you can't be harder on your players. 

IDK if that's required or not, and definitely don't know where Willard falls on that scale.

I think that's largely a myth and poor leadership. You can't be Bobby Knight, sure. But look at how St. John's has responded to Pitino's harsh criticism calling them soft, etc. Being challenged is a good thing. Clear expectations and come to Jesus sessions when those expectations aren't being met is a very good thing. You can't choke them, you can't throw chairs across the gym, definitely agree with that. I'd argue that never should have been tolerated in the first place. 

 

I do agree that a longer break not around the Holidays is different. Hopefully. We'll see.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I think that's largely a myth and poor leadership. You can't be Bobby Knight, sure. But look at how St. John's has responded to Pitino's harsh criticism calling them soft, etc. Being challenged is a good thing. Clear expectations and come to Jesus sessions when those expectations aren't being met is a very good thing. You can't choke them, you can't throw chairs across the gym, definitely agree with that. I'd argue that never should have been tolerated in the first place. 

 

I do agree that a longer break not around the Holidays is different. Hopefully. We'll see.

Right, but Pitino is my point.  He has the resume where he can set those expectations immediately and nothing is questioned because he just points to the resume.

Maybe Dan Hurley illustrates your point better. 

He had some success at Rhode Island, and his last name carried some cache... but basically he was relatively young and unestablished when landing at UConn, and he's known as a demanding guy.  

 

I'm not saying it can't work.  Probably are more cases where it does. 

Also don't want to paint with too broad a brush. 

I'm sure there are plenty of kids who want discipline, routine, expectations, and are challenged to grow.

 

But I do think more kids today need to be coddled than we've seen previously. 
I love Gary Williams, I don't know that a young Gary plays today (of course he'd adjust too).

 

And again, I don't know how Willard is in that regard.  I haven't thought of him as a laissez-faire, overly players coach.
 

[You Play to Win the Game]

Fake it til you make it. He’s in charge and should act like it. I hear what you’re saying, but I just don’t agree.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Fake it til you make it. He’s in charge and should act like it. I hear what you’re saying, but I just don’t agree.

I think having expectations, and challenging players should happen.  Has to happen to be successful. 
And I think if players can't handle that and move on, that's how it goes. 
I just question how many players today want that. 

 

But past those larger questions... and sticking more to Willard...   what leads you to thinking he's too much of a players coach?

 

Wondering if there are things I've missed.