Despite being days removed from an overtime win against Penn State at home, Maryland basketball hasn’t shown consistent signs of making an early season turnaround just yet. Now entering Tuesday night with a 5-4 (1-1) record, Maryland has its work cut out for them if it wants to make a postseason run given its currently unappealing postseason resume. In fact, Maryland enters Monday as the lowest-ranked Big Ten team in the updated NET rankings, checking in at 180th nationally. Penn State, whom Maryland beat in overtime last Wednesday, is the second-lowest ranked Big Ten team at 143rd. While Maryland remains winless in its four games against Quad 1 and 2 opponents, Maryland also enters mid-December with a pair of Quad 3 and 4 losses after falling to Davidson and UAB in the Asheville Tournament. Maryland’s next game against Alcorn State won’t give them a chance to move the needle as they enter 1-8 heading into Tuesday night, providing the Terps a chance to move to 5-1 in Quad 4 games. Maryland will welcome first-year head coach and former Maryland assistant Tevon Saddler back to College Park when they host Nicholls State next week before their next and final test of non-conference play: UCLA. One year after the Bruins handed the Terps its lone home loss in Kevin Willard’s first season as head coach, Maryland will look to split the home-and-home against their future Big Ten foe. While subject to change, UCLA gives Maryland a chance to secure a much-needed Quad 2 win as the Terps enter the week removed from even bubble consideration for the NCAA Tournament. Maryland was led by Jahmir Young and Julian Reese as the two combined for 52 of Maryland’s 81 points in an overtime win against Penn State, while freshman Jamie Kaiser Jr. was the third player to reach double-figures. Maryland outrebounded Penn State, 53-31, including with 23 offensive boards in the win. “It’s something we’ve been focusing on in practice really over the last two weeks just we’re struggling so bad shooting the basketball that it’s got to be part of our offense a little bit, secondary offense off missed shots,” Willard said following the Penn State game. “With that, especially with that starting group with Jordan, Donta and , that’s a pretty big rebounding crew and so we have to offensive rebound right now the way we’re shooting.” Tipoff is set for 7 PM on Tuesday night. Related Links
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