Game Day Essentials: Game #25 vs #25 Maryland

Maryland Info

Head Coach: Kevin Willard (3rd year)
Location: College Park, MD
Conference: B1G 10
Nickname: Terrapins, Terps
Mascots: Testudo

Line: Nebraska by 1.5

Typical Rotation Depth: 9

KenPom rank: 18

Nota bene:  

• Previous Meeting: Nebraska played Maryland close on the road in front of a sleepy Sunday morning crowd but would ultimately lose 69-66. Andrew Morgan had 17 while Brice had 14.  Ja'Kobi Gillespie went off for 22.  Ahron Ulis had a career high 10 assists as both he and Worster played minutes together against Maryland's pressure. 
• Maryland played KenPom's 364th hardest non-con schedule, dead last

Player to watch: Derik Queen

The 6'10" 246# freshman has been as good as advertised, leading the team in scoring while second on the team in rebounding.

Player to watch: Ja'Kobi Gillespie

The Belmont PG has slotted in well at Maryland, shooting 40% from 3

Maryland's Roster

Roster/infirmary report

9    Forward    Berke Büyüktuncel     6-10    244 lbs   Sophomore - Ankle out

Possible starters for Nebraska

3    Guard    Brice Williams     6-7    214 lbs    Senior

4    Forward    Juwan Gary     6-6    226 lbs    Senior

24    Guard    Rollie Worster     6-5    210 lbs    Senior

23    Forward    Andrew Morgan     6-10    242 lbs    Senior 

1    Guard    Sam Hoiberg     6-0    185 lbs    Junior

Bench

0    Guard    Connor Essegian     6-4    190 lbs    Junior

2    Guard    Ahron Ulis     6-3    190 lbs    Senior

34    Center    Braxton Meah     7-1    264 lbs    Senior

31    Guard    Cale Jacobsen     6-4    195 lbs    Sophomore

12    Guard    Gavin Griffiths     6-7    193 lbs    Sophomore

5    Forward    Braden Frager     6-7    220 lbs    Freshman
8    Guard    Jeffrey Grace III     6-3    200 lbs    Junior
20    Forward    Justin Bolis     6-8    225 lbs    Sophomore
25    Guard    Nick Janowski     6-4    208 lbs    Freshman

35    Forward    Henry Burt     6-7    222 lbs    Sophomore

Out for year
51    Forward    Rienk Mast     6-10    260 lbs    Senior

The Skinny: 

Last time these two teams met, Nebraska was in a funk having lost 3 straight and on the road. Fast forward to today and Nebraska finds themselves on a winning streak, looking to set the school record for wins over ranked teams in a season. Other than what is hopefully a short term injury to Berke Büyüktuncel, Nebraska finds themselves looking good for yet another challenging conference game. Maryland has won 4 of their last 5 including road wins at Illinois and Indiana. 

Look for Juwan Gary to slot in at the 4 for most of this game as Andrew Morgan, Braxton Meah, and maybe Cale Jacobsen split time at the 5. Things could get dicey inside as Queen and Reese will draw contact.  Speaking of, the Huskers mostly shut down Derik Queen and Julian Reese last game.  Maryland's starting guards were another story as they combined to score 50 of Maryland's 69 points while shooting 10-24 (41.6%) from 3. The Huskers defense has looked crisp in the month of February and it will need to be to clamp down on the Terp's outside shooting. 

One interesting development in the previous matchup vs Maryland was Berke's foul trouble and Nebraska's early turnover issues led to Nebraska playing Worster and Ulis together, something you might see if Ulis is playing well (or if foul trouble necessitates it.)  Maryland tends to run people off the 3pt line so Essegian will have to start shooting from beyond the NBA line. For most everyone else Nebraska will likely live in the paint.

Sometimes it seems like that first game after a major injury that a team does well.  One reason for this is that the opposition doesn't necessarily know what the adjustment is going to be.  Look for Nebraska to play some inspired defense.  Will it be enough?

Prediction: Nebraska 74 - Maryland 70