It goes without saying that expectations were high for the Maryland Terrapins entering the 2015-16 season. With one of the nation’s best point guards in Melo Trimble leading the way for a team not short on either depth or talent, this was seen as the year in which Mark Turgeon not only built upon last season’s NCAA tournament appearance but made a serious run at the program’s second national title. That can all still happen obviously, because even with their loss at a borderline desperate No. 12 Michigan State Saturday night Maryland still boasts a record of 17 wins and three losses. 

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However, for all the clamoring for a return to national glory the goal of winning the Big Ten is something that should not be overlooked. And for that reason, Thursday night’s home game against a red-hot Iowa team represents both Maryland’s biggest test and its greatest opportunity. 

Fran McCaffery’s done one of the nation’s best coaching jobs thus far, with third-ranked Iowa now 7-0 in Big Ten play boasting far greater credentials than the league’s other undefeated team (No. 19 Indiana). Armed with sweeps over both Michigan State and previously ranked Purdue, Iowa will arrive in College Park a win over Maryland away from holding head-to-head tiebreakers over their three most formidable challengers for the Big Ten title- before they’ve even reached the halfway point of their conference slate. At 6-2 in Big Ten play Maryland still has hopes of winning the conference title, but with this being their lone meeting with the Hawkeyes Thursday will be a turning point win or lose.

So how has Iowa, a team not exactly lauded for its toughness in recent years, reached this point? “Toughness” is the key word, especially from a mental standpoint. In their disappointing loss at No. 19 Iowa State it sure did appear that McCaffery’s team was well on its way to being the “same old Hawkeyes,” a team that would not only struggle to sustain success but also allow negative moments to snowball into something greater. But they haven’t lost since, and moments such as their comeback from a 19-point first-half deficit at Purdue and their withstanding of a first-half Michigan State run to essentially end that game by halftime in East Lansing are prominent pieces of evidence of their growth.

As past Iowa teams would have either bent or flat-out folded, this group has shown resolve to match their individual and collective talents. 

Senior forward Jarrod Uthoff began the year playing at an “all conference” level, and that’s grown into his being a candidate for both Big Ten and national Player of the Year honors. Averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, Uthoff’s shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 48.3 percent from beyond the arc. Playing the four in Iowa’s offensive attack, he’s managed to force mismatches at that position that have forced the opposing team to augment their rotations as opposed to the other way around (see: Purdue going small with Vince Edwards at the four and Caleb Swanigan at the five).

But he isn’t alone either, as Peter Jok has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most improved players and veterans such as Mike Gesell, Adam Woodbury and Anthony Clemmons have chipped in as well. Add in a bench that has fit into its respective roles quite well, and you have a team that has the look of not only a Big Ten contender but a national one as well. 

With that being the case, Thursday night will be a challenging one for Maryland but it’s also a game that can serve as a needed springboard to something special. All three of Maryland’s defeats have come on the road, and there’s no shame in losing to North Carolina, Michigan or Michigan State. But if Maryland is to remain unblemished at home they have to do a better job on the boards than thy have to this point in Big Ten play.

Maryland currently ranks ninth in the Big Ten in defensive rebounding percentage (70.8 percent; conference games only), and while the percentage isn’t particularly bad it can be a lot better especially when considering the front court tools at Turgeon’s disposal. Robert Carter’s been the team’s best rebounder, with Diamond Stone and Jake Layman being next in line, but it feels as if more than be done on the glass than what Maryland’s managed to do thus far. The currently lead the Big Ten in both three-point and overall field goal percentage defense, and improved productivity when it comes to closing out those possessions with a rebound could be what propels them towards a run at the Big Ten title (and even greater things beyond that).

Michigan State grabbed 17 offensive rebounds Saturday night, with Matt Costello (six) and Denzel Valentine (four) doing the majority of the damage. If anything Maryland dodged a bullet in this regard, as Michigan State scored just five more second-chance points (15) on the night. But they won’t always be so fortunate, and with the size and talent Maryland has defensive rebounding is not an issue they lack the ability to address. 

Given the fact that Iowa’s a middle of the pack offensive rebounding team, addressing that issue may be more about the long-term as opposed to Thursday night. What will be key are the turnovers, as Iowa is tied for the league lead in steals per game (7.6) and also leads the Big Ten in turnover margin. And according to hoop-math.com, nearly 29 percent of Iowa’s first shots come in transition, and they’ve produced an effective field goal percentage of 60.3 percent. Keeping Iowa from getting those looks will be key for Maryland if they’re to defend their home floor.

It should be noted that Maryland certainly hasn’t wilted in the face of pressure as Purdue did in its two meetings with Iowa. However, only Indiana has a higher turnover percentage than the Terrapins in conference play and the Hoosiers play a faster pace. Having the likes of Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon to handle the ball certainly helps, and it may make Iowa think twice about calling upon their trapping defense as they did against Purdue. But there’s no denying that there is room for growth for Maryland in that area. 

Taking better care of the basketball and cleaning up the defensive glass are the keys for Maryland, not just Thursday night but beyond. Given how wild the season’s been to this point it would be foolish to think that Maryland wasn’t capable of winning a national title; they are. But this could be one of those years, without a transcendent team present, where the “little things” determine who’s holding the trophy at season’s end. Thursday night provides Maryland with another good test when it comes to making strides in the aforementioned areas, and getting the job done can also open the door to a Big Ten title. 

Raphielle Johnson
Raphielle Johnson

BSL Analyst

Raphielle’s been writing about college sports for more than a decade, making the move to college basketball alone in 2013. Beginning his work with the former website CollegeHoops.net in 2003, Raphielle spent 3 years writing for NBCSports.com beginning 2013, covering CBB and the Olympics. In 2016, Raphielle joined Heavy.com. If there’s a game on, there’s a strong likelihood that he’s watching it.

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