For the first time since the 2018-19 season, Maryland is 12-0 to the season.
Maryland begins 2025 at Xfinity Center as they take on Rutgers University. After finishing 12-0 in 2024. This is the 2nd decade where the Terps are undefeated to start the season.
Rutgers University this season is 8-5, led by Coach Coquese Washington. They have already matched their wins from last season, but Rutgers’ has struggled in Big Ten Conference Play. Would it surprise you if you were told Rutgers are 7-31 when playing conference opponents?
Rutgers’ eight wins have come against non-conference opponents.
Nathan’s Keys to Victory!
It is just another game.
Kaylene Smikle, a former Scarlet Knight, should not see this game as revenge. She did good things for the program. A sloth of accomplishments, such as the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Second Team, She did have a season-ending injury with Rutgers before transferring to Maryland. Why should this game be treated as a revenge game? Sometimes, athletes do what is best for their careers and education. So, to say this is a revenge game is a reach.
The Rebound Battle
In the 12 games, Maryland won on the glass. Rutgers average 16 rebounds. Maryland averages 15. Against a ranked opponent, let’s see what those 16 rebounds a game indeed look like. The Scarlet Knights are currently tied for the most rebounds a game within the conference and within the top 20 in the country. With players Destiny Adams and Chyna Cornwell, our front court (Saylor Poffenbarger, Allie Kubek, Christina Dalce, Mir Mclean, and Amari DeBerry) is going to be the key focus for the Terps to get a victory.
Why so many turnovers?
Playing against Non-conference opponents does not clearly define who you are as a team. Turnovers make or break any game situation. The Scarlet Knights have the worst assist-to-turnover ratio in the conference. Second to last behind Penn State. But also, if you have that many turnovers, your half-court offense suffers, and they only average 12 assists a game. That will not win any basketball games.
SETTING THE TONE
Maryland has its work cut out for them for January. The schedule is going to be interesting, and the first two games saw a lot of issues. Don’t sleep on the Terps. The resilience this team has shown is something to see, but how you come out, set the tone, and play for 40 minutes is something to see.
The post No. 8 Maryland 2025 journey continues more Big Ten Play as they take on Rutgers. appeared first on Marylandsportsblog.com.