Nebraska vs. Maryland Game Preview and Thread

Time: 25 minutes after game three (2:00pm-ish CST)

Location: Chicago, IL

TV: BTN

Streaming: BTN2GO

Radio: TuneIn

2018-19 Record: 22-9 (13-7 Big Ten Conference)

Ranking: #24 Coaches & #21 Associated Press

Last Meetings: January 2nd - Maryland 74 Nebraska 72 & February 6th - Maryland 60 Nebraska 45

Preview

Maryland has the #5 seed in the conference so they were awarded with a first round bye. This will be the first game of the tournament for them against the Huskers. Nebraska played the Terrapins twice this season. The first time was on January 2nd in a close loss that had Nebraska struggling for most of the game in College Park. The second was a much more lower scoring game in Lincoln during Nebraska’s losing streak.

Maryland is young but big and athletic. Nebraska does not exactly match up well against them with their current lineup. Guard Anthony Cowan Jr. leads the team with 15.9 points, 4.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He had a field day against the Cornhuskers during the first game scoring 19 points but was muffled during the second contest with only 5 points. He was named Second Team All Big Ten.

As for a big man threat, there is forward Bruo Fernando. He’s right next to Cowan with 14 points per game and leads the team 10.5 rebounds an 1.5 blocks per game. He scored in the double digits in both contests against Nebraska but struggled with the boards in the second game with only 2 rebounds. Nebraska will have to play tough and physical ball in the paint to keep him from doing much damage. If they can contain him this game, they should have a shot at the win. He recently was named First Team All Big Ten.

Prediction

Maryland has struggled the past few games. They lost two in a row to Penn State and #9 Michigan before winning their last match against Minnesota to close out the regular season. Nebraska will have it’s hands full once again with the Maryland size. The ability for them to take control of the paint will most likey be the deciding factor in this game.

Maryland isn’t the best shooting or most disciplined team but they have more than enough size and talent to pull this off. Nebraska will be riding a high from last nights win into this game but I do not believe it will be enough to pull off the win.

University of Maryland 65 University of Nebraska 57