After a big upset win over Ohio State over the weekend, Maryland will host Minnesota in their final home game of the season on Wednesday night. The Golden Gophers currently hold a record of 13-13 (4-13) and are ranked 13th in conference standings, two spots behind the Terps. Their only conference victories have come against Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State, and Rutgers. They suffered a massive amount of roster turnover during the off-season after firing former head coach Richard Pitino and replacing him with Ben Johnson.

Minnesota is led by two of their eleven incoming transfers, senior guard Payton Willis (College of Charleston) and sophomore forward Jamison Battle (George Washington). Both are averaging over 16 points per game and combine to average over 10 rebounds per game. Senior forward Eric Curry is the only player to receive minutes this year who was on the roster last season.

KenPom Rankings

• Maryland: #84 (#70 AdjO, #100 AdjD; #220 AdjT)
• Minnesota: #105 (#87 AdjO, #144 AdjD; #305 AdjT)

Another chance to get to .500 overall. 

Second to last regular season Big Ten game.

 

With the Ohio State win, the Terps have 3 W's (Florida, Illinois) over ranked teams.
Hard not to think about the 1 point loss to Wisconsin, the 2 point loss to Michigan State, the 1 point loss to Purdue...  

If you can win these last two games (Minnesota, at Michigan State).. you'd be 8-12 in-conference...   would you need to win the Big Ten Tourney to be in? Could you be in if you get to the Final?  What about with 2 wins? 

 

So 8-12 would mean you beat Michigan State, which would be 4 wins over ranked teams...  2 wins in the Big Ten Tournament would probably give you another.    10-13?  Ehh, probably not enough. 

 

Right now MD is 2-8 vs. Quadrant 1, 5-3 vs. Quadrant 2, 3-4 vs. Quadrant 3, 4-0 vs. Quadrant 4.  90th overall NET.

Have to win the Big Ten Tournament at this point to reach the NCAA Tournament, no other way to spin it.

 

They still have a chance to earn a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament, so these final two games are important in that respect.

Just let Fatts cook and see what happens.

Kids been on a tear, it’s awesome to see.

Have to win the Big Ten Tournament at this point to reach the NCAA Tournament, no other way to spin it.

 

They still have a chance to earn a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament, so these final two games are important in that respect.

IDK... I think they'd have a chance if they won these last two regular season games, and lost in the Final.   
That would have them 19-16 overall, 11-13 in the Big Ten... and you'd likely have 3 more wins vs. Top 25 or more importantly Q1 wins. 


But yeah... beat Minnesota first, and yeah... I'd be pretty shocked to see them win their next 5.

IDK... I think they'd have a chance if they won these last two regular season games, and lost in the Final.   
That would have them 19-16 overall, 11-13 in the Big Ten... and you'd likely have 3 more wins vs. Top 25 or more importantly Q1 wins. 


But yeah... beat Minnesota first, and yeah... I'd be pretty shocked to see them win their next 5.

Quad 3 loss to George Mason is certainly not ideal 

This says they have four Quad 3 losses right now, that certainly is going to be need a couple more quality wins to even sniff an at-large https://bracketologi...yland-terrapins

No chance at an at-large

Strange things happen, which is what makes sports great, but this team winning the tourney would be among the strangest.  Ayala and Fatts playing like they did yesterday, makes Maryland very difficult to play, but that is not sustainable, IMO.

Maryland enters this game as 5.5-point favorites.

I’m here. The attendance is pathetic.

Starting Five: Russell, Ayala, Hart, Scott, Wahab

Russell to Wahab on the alley-oop slam!

Very fast start

12-10 Maryland at the under-16.

Defense optional for both teams here early.

Minnesota has been one of the slowest teams in the country this year, and Maryland has been below average. But tonight looks more like a Gonzaga-Arizona game from a pace standpoint.

Great work from Reese there to work through a double-team and finish at the rim.

21-20 Minnesota at the under-12.

MD up 25-21.

Beautiful pass underneath from Russell and Reese has an easy finish.

Minnesota calls a timeout with 9:32 left in the first half. Maryland leads, 25-21.