Maryland (9-6, 1-3) vs. Michigan (6-9, 1-3)When & Where: Jan. 11 | 7:00 PM | Xfinity Center TV: FS1--Jason Benetti, Robbie Hummel Radio: 105.7 FM (Baltimore) | The TEAM 980 AM (DC) | SiriusXM channel 372 Betting odds: Maryland -6 | O/U: 140 (DraftKings) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2g79lZTPA The Wolverines will head to College Park without its leading scorer with Dug McDaniel suspended for the next six road games, beginning with Thursday's game. "We have very high standards within our program, culture and university," coach Juwan Howard said in a statement. "Serving as mentors, we need to set the standards and pathways for our young men to succeed." It's a notable absence for Michigan as McDaniel, a DC native, has started all 15 games this season and posted a pair of 33-point performances in non-conference play. McDaniel's absence is also the latest incident in a season of controversy in Ann Arbor, a common theme with Michigan's revenue sports over the past 12 months. Michigan has gone 1-4 since head coach Juwan Howard managed to avoid discipline after getting into an altercation with strength and conditioning coach Jon Sanderson in mid-December. Still, the Wolverines will look to put that behind them and pick up their first win in nearly one month. They'll do so with Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua leading the way and just 15 points away from his 1,000-career point, averaging 16.8 points and scoring in double figures in all but one game this season. “ has really changed where they didn’t post up so much at the four-spot last year. They’re posting much more at the four spot and I think they’re a little bit more pick-and-roll heavy than they were last year just because of not having Hunter and Dug being a little bit older," head coach Kevin Willard said on Monday. "But I also think they shoot the basketball much more, much better. I mean, they’re only 13, 14 points away from really having a pretty good season. So they’ve played an unbelievably tough schedule. They score the basketball. They’ve had some tough losses.” He's one of three starters averaging double-figures, while DC native Terrance Williams is expected to start and suit up in his 100th game as a Wolverine after pouring in 20-plus points in two of the last three games. Yet still, the Wolverines have found themselves with no answers in the second-half after watching leads evaporate against both Minnesota and Penn State. For Kevin Willard, who noted the Terps are “at that point where every game is really important,” getting his team back on track for their 25th home win in two seasons now looms large for a team looking to get on track. “I’m just staying focused right now on Michigan. I mean…it’s a new team every year and right now just getting them focused on Michigan. That's the only thing you can really do right now." Maryland has asked Jahmir Young to do everything through the first-half of the season after finishing December seventh in the country in points per game (24.2). Donta Scott has finished with at least 12 points in four of his last five games, while Julian Reese has posted at least 14 points in two of his last three games. The Terps' production has been virtually nonexistent outside of the veteran trio, but they'll have a chance to create momentum against a Michigan team that ranks dead last in the conference in points allowed (78.7). “There's nothing I can do about a constant narrative,” Willard said when asked about the team’s shooting struggles. The progression of his freshmen trio has been evident in practice as the staff waits for it to translate to gameday. “I mean, I think our goal is to obviously start playing a little bit better. I thought we took a good step on the road the other day. I was really proud of the way our freshman played on the road, considering the fact they had, Jahnathan hadn't played a lot of minutes. He went out there and did a great job. I thought that was Jamie Kaiser's best game of the year. I think DeShawn is starting to show really good improvements in the area that I need him to improve in. So, yeah, I have a lot of confidence in this team.” Related Links Kevin Willard admits Maryland is at the point "where every game is really important"Towering Virginia tackle eyeing return visit to Maryland (+)The Shell Report: Maryland 2024 signee Ryan HowertonNote on portal, staff (+)Local cornerback reacts to Maryland’s coaching change, talks upcoming visit (+)
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