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One of the biggest games in NCAA Men's college basketball on Thursday, will be between the 16th ranked Maryland Terrapins, and the Ohio State Buckeyes
#16 Maryland Terrapins (18-3, 6-2 Big Ten) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (16-5, 5-3 Big Ten), Thursday, January 29, 7 PM. ET. ESPN.
Maryland is playing in its first season as a member of the Big Ten, and is already making a good impression. The Terps started red hot, winning 14 of their first 15 games, with their only loss coming against former ACC rival, 7th ranked Virginia. Since then they have won four of their last six, but went 1-2 on the road during the stretch, giving fans some cause for concern. In their last meeting with Ohio State last season, the Terps lost to the Buckeyes 76-60, but they have a better team this year, and are confident about their chances of getting the win.
Offensively, Maryland is one of the better teams in the country, averaging 72.5 points per game, which is 69th. Defensively, they allow opponents to score 63 points per game, which is 98th in the country, and they are also one of the better rebounding teams in college basketball, averaging 27 per game, which is 20th in the nation.
The Terps have three players that average double digit scores per game, and are led offensively by freshman guard Melo Trimble, who is averaging 16.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.9 assists per game. Trimble is coming off his second best offensive performance of the year, scoring 27 points against Northwestern, and helping his team rally from a 12 point deficit with 12 minutes left, to win the game.
Ohio State won 11 of their first 13 games, with both losses coming against ranked teams, since then they have won five of their last eight games, with two of those losses coming at the hands of Iowa, dropping them 1.5 games behind Wisconsin, for the Big Ten lead. The Buckeyes are currently on a two game winning streak, and defeated their first ranked opponents of the season, when they beat Indiana on Sunday.
Offensively, Ohio State has plenty of firepower, they are one of the best shooting teams in college basketball, and are making 50 percent of their shots, which is the 3rd best field goal percentage in the country, while averaging 80 points per game, which is 16th in the country. They are also one of the best passing teams in the nation, and average 16.8 assists per game, which is 13th in the country. Defensively, they allow opponents to score 61.9 points per game, which is 73rd best in college basketball, and they average 8.5 steals per game, which is 19th best.
Ohio State has three players that score in double digits, but they are led by freshman guard D'Angelo Russell, who is averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. The freshman sensation finished with a double double in their win against Indiana, scoring 22 points, and grabbing 10 rebounds. He finished the game four assists shy of a triple double, and has been on a scoring tear lately, and is averaging 25.75 points in his last four games.
Predictions
- The two freshman guards on both teams will put on a show in their head to head matchup.
- Ohio State will be held below their season scoring average.
- It will be a closer game than it was last season.
My Pick: The Maryland Terrapins will avenge their embarrassing loss to the Buckeyes last year, and get the win.
