What’s that you say? Indiana in the top 25 again?
The Hoosiers haven’t appeared in the national rankings in more than a year, but with a little revenge on Sunday IU looks like a lock to return.
To get there Indiana will have to overcome a team that humbled them just three weeks ago.
Maryland beat IU 75-59 at College Park on Jan. 4 in a game that the Hoosiers were within three points with under 15 minutes to play. And while that sounds like a close game, Indiana trailed by 30 just ten minutes later on the game clock.
With improved effort in recent weeks, Indiana has managed to avoid the big knockout runs that plagued them earlier in the season, including at Maryland.
Playing at home, IU has found an ability to feed off the crowd in big games. Indiana has now won five straight contests against ranked opponents in Bloomington.
If they pick up a sixth against the No. 17 Terrapins on Sunday afternoon, it will be the Hoosiers that find themselves back in the national spotlight.
GAME DAY ESSENTIALS
No. 17 Maryland (15-4, 5-3) at Indiana (15-4, 5-3)
- Tip time: Sunday / 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
- Television: CBS (Stream)
- Series: Indiana leads 8-7 (Last meeting: Maryland won 75-59 in 2020 at Maryland)
- Point Spread: Vegas has the game even. KenPom likes Maryland by 1.
- Tickets (Seat Geek affiliate link)
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Maryland Statistical Leaders
POINTS
- Anthony Cowan (G) 15.4 ppg
- Jalen Smith (F) 14.4 ppg
- Aaron Wiggins (G) 10.8 ppg
REBOUNDS
- Jalen Smith (F) 9.5 rpg
- Aaron Wiggins (G) 5.8 rpg
ASSISTS
- Anthony Cowan (G) 4.3 apg
A look at KenPom No. 9 Maryland’s noteworthy advanced metrics:
An elite defense. As Indiana learned the first time around, Maryland is very good defensively. The Hoosiers only had 41 points with about four minutes remaining a few weeks ago before the Terrapins put the walk-ons in the game. Maryland comes in at No. 5 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (87.9), and that mark is the best in the Big Ten. When it comes to length of possessions forced, the Terps are 57th best in the country. Indiana only shot 36.1 percent in the first meeting.
Offensive struggles in Big Ten play. There is no way around it — Maryland’s offense has been bad in conference games. Their effective field goal percentage (44.3 percent) is No. 13 in the league, while a 19.7 percent turnover percentage is dead last. On two-point shots, Maryland is making just 42.6 percent, which comes in at No. 13.
Hitting the glass. Maryland is No. 26 nationally with a 34.5 percent offensive rebounding rate. IU is a couple slots higher at No. 23. In the first meeting Indiana won the offensive rebounding battle 15-11. With Indiana’s emphasis on transition offense, many teams are choosing to get back on defense rather than attempting to get offensive rebounds.
Guard the line and don’t foul. Maryland gets a relatively small amount of their points from two-point baskets. Only 45.5 percent of the Terps’ points come from two-pointers which is No. 305 nationally. Maryland gets 31.1 percent (No. 166) from three-pointers and 23.4 percent (No. 16) from free throws.
Nothing for free. Only 14.9 percent of the points scored against Maryland come from the free throw line. That’s a top 40 metric. 23.3 percent of IU’s points are earned at the stripe. In the first meeting IU was 11-of-18 at the free throw line.
A thin bench. Only 22 percent of Maryland’s minutes come from its bench. That’s No. 336 in the country. The Terps are especially thin in the frontcourt. Foul trouble for star forward Jalen Smith would present major challenges for Maryland.
Not good from three. 41.1 percent of Maryland’s shots are from three. That’s a top 100 metric. But the Terps only make 31.3 percent from long range, which comes in at No. 266. A bad shooting day for Maryland could spell trouble.
See also:
Mark Turgeon previews Indiana rematch
Joey Brunk’s contributions immeasurable
Last meeting: Indiana at Maryland — The Report Card
Highlights from the last meeting:
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