The Terps look to correct course after a disheartening loss at Ohio State.
No. 18 Maryland men’s basketball had all the momentum entering the week, riding a four-game winning streak that included two road victories. That all came to a screeching halt Thursday night at Ohio State, though.
The Buckeyes overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to win, 73-70, on the back of a monster performance by Bruce Thornton.
Now, the Terps return home Sunday for a matchup with a young and talented — yet underperforming — Rutgers squad, needing to right the ship and avoid spiraling.
Tip-off is scheduled for noon and the game will air on Big Ten Network.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-11, 5-7 Big Ten)
2023-24 record: 15-17, 7-13 Big Ten
The Scarlet Knights entered the season with plenty of hype surrounding them, having secured 247Sports’ fourth-best 2024 recruiting class headlined by two top-five recruits: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, the first five-stars to commit to Rutgers in program history.
But while that duo has excelled, Rutgers hasn’t gotten much production from anyone else. Nine-year head coach Steve Pikiell has tinkered with his lineup all season — 11 players have started a game — and that inconsistency has shown in the Scarlet Knights’ record.
Regardless, Pikiell has arguably the most talent the program has ever had on his roster. He’ll look to get his team on track and back to March Madness for just the third time this century.
Players to know
Ace Bailey, freshman guard/forward, 6-foot-10, No. 4 — Bailey was the No. 2 recruit in the country for a reason. He’s already one of the best players in the Big Ten, tied for the conference lead with 20.1 points per game to go along with a team-high 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Bailey’s size and athleticism allows him to spend plenty of time in the frontcourt, a necessity for a team chock-full of guards.
Dylan Harper, freshman guard, 6-foot-6, No. 2 — If Bailey is Rutgers’ 1A, Harper is as strong a 1B as one can find. He’s not only the team’s primary ball mover, with a team-high 4.1 assists per game, he’s fifth in the Big Ten in scoring as well with 19.1 points per game. Harper isn’t known for his defense, but he isn’t a liability, and his size allows him to take on multiple matchups.
Lathan Sommerville, freshman center, 6-foot-10, No. 24 — Originally an afterthought as a three-star recruit behind Bailey and Harper, Sommerville has quickly become a steady presence for the Scarlet Knights. He’s one of just three players to appear in all 23 games, starting eight of them. Sommerville is third on the team with 7.2 points per game.
Strength
Protecting possessions. For a team as young as the Scarlet Knights, they do an admirable job not turning the ball over. Their 10.6 turnovers per game is fifth-fewest in the Big Ten, just behind Maryland (10.4 per game). Don’t expect a careless game Sunday afternoon.
Weakness
Defense. Rutgers has struggled keeping opponents in check all season. It allows 74.6 points per game, good for second-most in the Big Ten. Against a Maryland offense averaging the conference’s third-most points per game, that could spell disaster.
Three things to watch
1. Must-win game. A loss Sunday would wipe away all the momentum Maryland has earned itself throughout January, and almost certainly take it out of the Associated Press top-25 poll. Fortunately for the Terps, they’ll be returning to Xfinity Center, where they are 13-1 on the year.
2. The Terps cannot allow another stellar individual game. Maryland has fallen victim to incredible individual performances from the likes of Marquette’s Kam Jones, Purdue’s Braden Smith and, most recently, Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton. Rutgers’ duo of elite freshmen each have the ability to take over a game in that manner, and that’s not something Maryland wants to have to overcome.
3. Derik Queen bounce back? Queen has shot under 50% in each of his last three contests, averaging just 10.7 points per game in that stretch. He’s got familiarity with both Bailey and Harper, having played against them in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game, so maybe that can set off some competitive juices and get Queen back in form.