#22 UCLA (11-4, 2-2) at Maryland (11-4, 1-3)
When & Where: Jan. 10, 2025 | 8 PM | Xfinity Center
TV: FOX | Tim Brando (pxp) & Donny Marshall (analyst)
Radio: One Maryland App | 105.7 FM (Baltimore) | 980 AM (DC) | SiriusXM channel 372
Betting: Maryland -4.5 | O/U: 139
Friday marks a pivotal Big Ten game in College Park with both Maryland and UCLA looking to avoid a three-game slide.
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Friday also marks the third consecutive season the two teams have squared off with the road team pulling out the win in each contest. Head coach Kevin Willard is 1-1 all-time against the Bruins while Maryland trails the all-time series, 7-3.
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While it serves as the fourth Quad One game of the season, Friday will also feature the Big Ten’s two best scoring defenses with both Maryland and UCLA allowing under 64 points per game
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After suffering an eight-point loss against Nebraska, UCLA was dealt its second dose of humble pie after suffering a 94-75 home loss vs. Michigan, the largest loss of the season, before head coach Mick Cronin gave a lengthy, blunt answer about his team.
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The Bruins are led by a trio of scorers averaging double figures, including Oregon State transfer Tyler Bilodeau who leads the way with 14.7 ppg on 50.3% shooting. He posted a season-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the two-point loss vs. UNC, while he's scored in double figures in 11 of 15 games to open the season. Oklahoma State transfer Eric Dailey Jr. has proven to be the most efficient scorer though, shooting 52.8% through the season and 54.2% in conference play, as he sits second on the team averaging nearly 13 points per game.
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Sebastian Mack drew his first start of the season against Nebraska, but it's been an uphill battle for the sophomore guard after shooting a combined 9-of-24, including 0-7 from three, over his last two games. Junior Dylan Andrews leads the Bruins' offense as the starting point guard while Illinois transfer Skyy Clark is one of three players to start every game this season as he's averaging a team-high 2.6 assists per game. USC transfer Kobe Johnson, younger brother of former Duke and current Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, has been a big part of the Bruins’ production to open the year as he enters Friday second in the Big Ten with 2.1 steals per game.
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Johnson has been a big part in UCLA's defensive efforts this season as the Bruins rank sixth nationally in turnover margin (+6.3), the third consecutive season they've ranked inside the top-15 nationally. But the Terps could have an advantage on the boards given they average four more per game thanks to the Terps' size in their rotation, which could be the key on Friday night with the Bruins 4-3 this season when out-rebounded. The Bruins also rank fifth nationally in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency.
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Maryland, meanwhile, will look to move to 10-1 at home this season in a game head coach Kevin Willard will desperately look to get his team back on track. After Derik Queen and Ja’Kobi Gillespie battled through foul trouble in a humbling loss vs. Washington, Maryland squandered a double-digit lead at Oregon on Sunday for their first losing streak of the season.
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Julian Reese, who leads the team with 8.7 rebounds per game, sits 16 points away from tying Drew Nicholas for 35th on the all-time scoring list.
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