Game Day Essentials
Indiana (16-10, 7-9) v. Maryland (13-14, 5-11)
- Tip Time: 7 p.m. Eastern
- Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
- Television: FS1 (Brandon Gaudin and Stephen Bardo)
- IU Radio Network: IU Radio Network
- Stream: Fox Sports Live
- Point Spread: Indiana is a 6-point favorite
- KenPom Projected Score: No. 48 Indiana 71 No. 91 Maryland 64
- Series: Indiana leads 10-8
- Last Meeting: Indiana 68 Maryland 55 (Jan. 29)
Additional Game Coverage
- “He’s gonna be okay” — IU basketball needs steady Xavier Johnson down the stretch
- Watch: Trayce Jackson-Davis Q&A as IU basketball prepares for Maryland rematch
- Indiana to Wear “Honoring Black Excellence” Uniforms Against Maryland
Maryland Notes
Maryland looks to win its third straight games in conference play for the first time this season when it travels to Bloomington. The Terps had lost five straight prior to the current streak.
The Terrapins won their second consecutive game Monday night in a decisive 67-61 home victory over Penn State. Fatts Russell scored all of his game-high 18 points in the second half, as Maryland recorded a season-high 11 steals in the victory.
Russell has been on a tear recently, averaging 21.3 points on 46-percent shooting over his last four games. He is also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals during that period. Russell needs just 25 points to reach 2,000 for his career. He currently stands as the only active Division I player with 1,900 points, 500 assists and 225 steals.
Against Penn State, sophomore Ian Martinez recorded his second straight game of four steals and has recorded 12 assists and just one turnover over his last four games.
Maryland is currently second in the Big Ten in both free throws made (407) and attempted (540), while converting at a 75.4-percent rate (2nd in the Big Ten). The effort has been led by Russell, who is eighth in the league in both free throws made (97) and attempted (124).
Against Penn State, senior Eric Ayala knocked down his 210th career 3-pointer to further climb Maryland’s all-time 3 pointers list. He currently sits third, trailing only Juan Dixon (239) and Greivis Vasquez (230). Ayala also ranks t-24th in program history with 1,372 points.
The Terrapins feature four players who have appeared in at least 100 career collegiate games: Xavier Green (148), Fatts Russell (146), Simon Wright (127) and Eric Ayala (120). Additionally, the Terps feature experienced junior forwards Donta Scott (89) and Qudus Wahab (85). The trio of Russell (1975), Ayala (1372) and Green (1117) are all members of the 1,000-point club.
Maryland currently ranks 93rd in the NET. They are one of nine teams in the Big Ten Conference with at least six combined Quad 1 & 2 victories, joining Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, Rutgers, Ohio State and Michigan.
Maryland’s defense might be the key for IU’s ailing offense. The Terps are No. 12 in the Big Ten in adjusted defensive efficiency in Big Ten games according to KenPom.com.
The free throw line could play a major role. Maryland is No. 2 in Big Ten games at getting to the line, and No. 1 at keeping teams off it. The Terps shoot 74.8 percent at the stripe, while IU makes 68.3 percent.
This Sunday against Ohio State, Maryland Athletics will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its National Championship in 2002 when it defeated Indiana, 64-52. Hall of Fame coach, Gary Williams, and star players, Juan Dixon, Steve Blake and Lonny Baxter are among the many stars expected to return and be recognized.
Danny Manning pre-game Thoughts
Watch as Maryland head coach Danny Manning previews the rematch with IU.
Three Keys From the First Meeting
Indiana defeated Maryland 68-55 in College Park on Jan. 29. Indiana has not won again since that game. Here were the three keys to that IU victory:
1. Hoosiers shut down Maryland’s big three. Indiana had a dominant defensive effort on the road and forced Maryland stars Eric Ayala, Donta Scott and Fatts Russell into a 6-of-31 shooting day. The Hoosiers held Maryland to 28.6 percent shooting and forced 13 turnovers and had six blocks. The Terps scored just .821 points per possession. Trey Galloway helped hold down Ayala in 25 minutes off the bench and added two steals.
2. Dominance in the paint. Led by Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson, Indiana outscored Maryland 36-20 in the paint. Each player was 7-of-12 from the field as Thompson had 18 points and 12 rebounds while Jackson-Davis had 17 and 9. Jordan Geronimo came off the bench to score six points and add eight rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes. On the other end Maryland made just 10-of-29 from 2-point range.
3. Led by X, the ball moved. Indiana had 17 assists on 26 field goals. Senior starting point guard Xavier Johnson tied a season high with nine assists playing minutes from his hometown. He facilitated off the move including an important dunk by Jackson-Davis to end the first half. After a slow start the Hoosiers made 5-of-11 from three in the second half. Jackson-Davis passed well out of the post and had three assists. Galloway had two assists off the bench. Indiana had just 10 turnovers on the day.
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