Maryland (13-8, 5-5) vs. Michigan State (13-8, 5-5)
When & where: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 | 5:30 PM | Breslin Center
TV: FOX–Kevin Kugler, Robbie Hummel
Radio: 105.7 FM (Baltimore) | 980 AM (DC) | SiriusXM channel 388
Betting odds: Maryland +7.5 (FanDuel, as of 2 PM, Feb. 2)
After a week between games, Maryland will look to pick up its third consecutive win with a chance to get even against the team who beat them last. Maryland enters Saturday sitting .500 in conference play after pulling out a win at Iowa before controlling Nebraska en route to a 22-point win last weekend to get back on track. Maryland has been able to hit the reset button heading into a pivotal month, but now, head coach Kevin Willard and the Terps prepare for a Michigan State team that squeaked out a 61-59 win in College Park two weeks ago.
“I think the biggest thing, facing them for the first time which this group did, understanding their speed and how fast they get the basketball out, it’s really hard to practice. So I do think, they were able, much better, to get back and get set in the second half against them. It’s going to be dirty and faster at home so I think that’s our biggest challenge for Saturday,” Willard said Wednesday.
After taking a two-point deficit into halftime, Michigan State controlled in-state rival Michigan on Tuesday night after outscoring the Wolverines, 48-27, in the second half to secure the 700th all-time win for head coach Tom Izzo. While Maryland enters the weekend among the best defensive teams in the country, Michigan State isn’t far behind as they sit top-30 in field goal defense (40%) while holding opponents to under 66 points per game. At home, the Spartans are 11-2 and are holding opponents to under 36% shooting while outscoring opponents by 18 points on average.
For Maryland, Saturday marks yet another opportunity for head coach Kevin Willard to move to 3-4 against Quad One opponents and inch closer to the bubble conversation.
Of course, Saturday marks the first game that Jahmir Young will get a chance to suit up since being omitted from the Bob Cousy Finalists. Young, who ranks second nationally in ‘clutch’ points behind Denver’s Tommy Bruner this season, will look to put the Terps on his back as Maryland looks to get back to .500 in road games this season.
“Coming down to the wire last game, it’s not going to be much more of a personnel thing. We’re all familiar with each other’s games so for us to play them this soon, it’s going to be competitive,” Young added. “The bright lights are going to be on. So for us to go on in there, it’s going to be loud and the crowd’s going to be against us, so it’s going to be a good matchup and we’re ready for the challenge.”
Related Links
AMA Friday: Feb. 2 (+)
Taulia Tagovailoa flashes during first half of Shrine Bowl
Notes on Maryland football, basketball visitors (+)
Jahmir Young knows the “bright lights are going to be on” against Michigan State
Kevin Willard on Maryland-Michigan State rematch, freshmen growth, Donta Scott’s transition
Maryland adds local CB Kevyn Humes to 2024 class
Maryland checks in, staying consistent with Virginia speedster (+)