
The Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals will conclude when the 6-seed Maryland Terrapins play the 3-seed Indiana Hoosiers. Maryland beat the 14-seed Minnesota in the first round, winning 70-54. They were 13-point favorites. Indiana won by two points in overtime over Michigan 75-73 to close their season. They were 3.5-point favorites. Maryland won by 11 at home, in these teams’ only meeting this season. Tipoff will take place at 9:00 ET from United Center. It can be viewed on the Big Ten Network. The winner will play in the semifinals against the Penn State/Northwestern winner.
The Indiana Hoosiers are the three seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They will be the last team to take the United Center floor at 9:45. The Indiana Hoosiers finished the season 19th in the country and finished the regular season by beating Michigan by two points. Forward Trayce Johnson-Davis led the Hoosiers with 27 points and 9 rebounds.
Jackson-Davis was a First Team All-Big Ten performer. He led the Hoosiers in scoring and rebounding with 20.5 and 11.0 PPG, respectively. The 6’9 forward was 2nd in the conference in both categories, behind Purdue’s Zach Edey. Jackson-Davis scored 26 points or more in consecutive games leading up to Friday night. Jalen Hood-Schifino is second on the Hoosiers’ scoring list with 13.4 PPG. He also has 4.1 RPG and 3.8 APG. Hood-Schifino, a 6’6 guard, was named Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten. Race Thompson, a forward with high energy and 7.9 PPG, has a 5.1 RPG.
KenPom ranks Indiana 31st, which is 4th in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers are ranked 30th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 48th in defensive efficiency. According to Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology, Indiana is projected to be a 4th seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland was granted a first-found bye at the Big Ten Tournament and the chance to face the worst team in the league. The Gophers dominated Minnesota causing 15 turnovers, and several unforced turnovers set the tone for this game. Maryland’s forward Donta Scott led the way with 20 points.
Jahmir Young scored 15 points and was 9-11 from the free-throw line against Minnesota. This 6’1 senior transferred in this season from Charlotte. He led the Terrapins in scoring, adding 16.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG to his total and 3.2 APG. Young is a skilled player and leads the team in free-throw attempts. Young shoots from the perimeter, but that is not his strongest area of play. He converts only 31.7% from deep. Donta Scott, a 6’8 senior, is coming off a huge game. He averages 11.6 PPG (6.0 RPG) and has an inside-out game. Julian Reese, a 6’9 forward weighing 230 pounds, is their most interior presence. He adds 11.4 PPG to the team and 7.3 RPG. Hakim Hart is the 6’8 wing shooter, adding 11.2 PPG.
KenPom ranks Maryland 18th in overall rankings. This is second in the Big Ten, behind only Purdue. Maryland is 31st in adjusted offensive efficacy and 32nd in defense efficiency. According to Joe Lunardi, the Terrapins will be an 8-seed in NCAA Tournament.
Maryland easily beat the Hoosiers at home in their only game against each other this season. The Terps were a dominant home team but they were terrible on the road and that could be a key to tonight’s game.
Do not be fooled by Maryland’s easy win over Minnesota in Round 2 of the Big Ten Tournament. This team couldn’t get offense moving against Penn State and Ohio State at the conclusion of the regular season.
This team is a true home-court team and was fantastic in College Park. It went just 1-9 in ten games away before beating the anaemic Gophers on Thursday night.
The Terps aren’t good enough on the boards or deep enough. The Hoosiers just need a solid game from Schifino; if they limit turnovers, they will win the game.
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