Maryland men’s basketball hosts No. 5 Iowa looking to end its two-game losing streak
(Photograph Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Suffering back-to-back losses confronting so-No. 16 Michigan and Indiana, the Terps (6-5, i-4 B1G) are searching for a bounce back performance against No. v Iowa (9-2, iii-ane B1G). The Hawkeyes are the highest ranked Big Ten squad in the virtually recent AP Poll and also are one of the highest scoring teams in the country, averaging 92.7 points per game.
Offensively, the Hawkeyes play through their senior center Luka Garza, who averages 27.5 points per game and has developed into not simply one of the best players in the Big Ten, but besides nationally. Garza can vanquish defenses in a diverseness of means. He tin spot up from the perimeter, or use his creativity and savviness down low for crafty finishes in the paint.
"The thing that makes [Luka Garza] really good is he's got really adept players effectually him," head coach Mark Turgeon said. "He's terrific, he'southward only so physical and keeps his body on you and he'south so good around the basket. The pick and popular is really difficult to guard also."
While Garza justifiably gets a lot of the attention, the Hawkeyes feature a potent backcourt trio of CJ Fredrick, Jordan Bohannon and Joe Wieskamp. All 3 guards and Garza shoot 35% or greater from behind the arc. Garza's explosiveness at multiple levels complemented by the backcourt'due south shooting prowess makes Iowa one of the toughest teams in the land to defend.
Fortunately for Maryland, senior Darryl Morsell is expected to render afterward suffering a facial fracture on Dec. 31 against Michigan. After receiving clearance from the doctors, Morsell will be wearing a mask on the courtroom to protect his face up.
Morsell'southward absence confronting Indiana was sorely missed, as the senior is Maryland's song leader on the court and the Terps all-time overall defender. Most chiefly, Morsell offers tremendous defensive versatility as he's able to guard all five positions, a luxury for Turgeon.
"Aye, I mean [Darryl returning] gives u.s. a huge boost," junior Aaron Wiggins said. "I was really surprised that he'd be able to play tomorrow, only I'k super happy considering he's a crucial part of our team. We need his free energy; nosotros need his playmaking ability. Everything he brings to the game."
Notwithstanding, Maryland'south biggest primal against Iowa will be rejuvenating it's halfcourt offense, which faltered confronting Indiana on Monday. Against the Hoosiers, the Terps managed just 55 points, including an over six-minute stretch in the second half when they went without a indicate.
A prolonged scoring drought against whatsoever team poses an upshot. Although, an extended scoring drought confronting the Hawkeyes could evidence far more consequential with their prolific law-breaking.
One of the biggest keys for Maryland offensively will be increasing its ball and body motility. Equally Turgeon has emphasized all flavour, the Terps are toughest to guard when the brawl is moving from side-to-side forcing opposing defenses to rotate rapidly and make quick decisions.
In add-on to fast ball movement, another key for Maryland is the frontcourt duo of Donta Scott and Jairus Hamilton providing a spark. The talented frontcourt duo has combined for 20 points or more in v of Maryland's half-dozen wins this flavour, diversifying the Terps' offensive attack. A like offensive arroyo could prove benign against the Hawkeyes.
With Maryland defective size down low, both players could match upward against Garza throughout the game. When matched upwards against Garza, both Hamilton and Scott should await to exploit the mismatch and attack the 6-foot-xi big man trying to put him in foul problem.
Maryland will need a complete forty minutes on both ends of the floor to accept downwardly the Hawkeyes. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN2.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/maryland-mens-basketball-hosts-no-5-iowa-looking-to-end-its-two-game-losing-streak/
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