Terps/Hoosiers Preview

Maryland Terrapins (4-2 overall, 0-0 ACC)
at
Indiana Hoosiers (3-3 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
7:30pm Assembly Hall, Bloomington, In.

Leading Scorers: MD: Landon Milbourne 13.7ppg. IND: Maurice Creek 16.3ppg

Last game: MD: lost to Wisconsin 78-69. IND: def. Northwestern St. 90-72

PF: MD: 74.5ppg. IND: 74.3ppg PA: MD: 57.7ppg. IND: 70.3ppg

Indiana 3-0 at home, MD 0-0 on the road.

Outlook:
The Terps limp back from Maui on a two game losing streak and an overall unimpressive showing in Maui. The Terps showed vulnerability on the offensive glass against Cincinnati and in defending the 3 point shot against Wisconsin, things they almost certainly worked on in practice this week. The Terps travel to Bloomington to face an Indiana team that has improved from last season, but that is less talented than the Terps.

The Hoosiers three wins on the season came against Northwestern St., South Carolina Upstate and Howard while they lost to mid majors Boston and George Mason and the Terps are the more talented then either team. While the Terps do not boast wins over anybody of note, they are just more experienced and talented then the Hoosiers and should come into Bloomington with a chip on their shoulder.

The Terps need to get Greivis Vasquez going. Vasquez was 6-13 from the field against Wisconsin which was his highest shooting percentage on the season. Vasquez will be the best player on the court in this game and he will need to play like it. Defensively the Terps will have to face Maurice Creek who is averaging 16.8ppg and is shooting a robust 46.7 percent from three point range. Creek, who is an Oxon Hill native, faces his hometown team and he will likely be fired up to beat them. Another Hoosier that could be a tough match up for the Terps is 6'9" 220 pound freshman Christian Watford who is average 12pts and seven rebounds per game. There is no doubt that the Hoosier have studied tape on Terps center Jordan Williams and they are likely to see how soft he has been this season. If Indiana has a chance of winning this game, Watford will likely be the key. Look for them to feed him the ball and take it right at Williams. Once this happens the defense could collapse leaving Creek with some open looks.

Outlook:
Bottom line: The Terps are more talented and experienced then Indiana and should run them out of the gym but I do not see that being the case. With 3rd ranked Villanova coming to DC on Sunday the Terps will need to avoid the dreaded “trap” game tonight against the Hoosiers. This is not the same Indiana team from last season and the Terps will need to come to play win. Containing Creek and getting good games from Mosley and Milbourne are the key. I expect the Hoosiers to lead at the half by about six or seven but ultimately I think the Terps will pull out a win. Terps win 72-64.