Maryland Terrapins: Terps’ Take on Michigan for Senior Day
After taking down the Big Ten-leading Wisconsin Badgers 59-53, the Maryland Terrapins senior day matchup against the Michigan Wolverines gives nine seniors a chance to show their appreciation for the program and the fans. If you didn’t get a chance to see the Maryland/Wisconsin game, Maryland senior Dezmine Wells had a great game. He was the high point man among both teams with 26 points.
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The eight seniors on the squad are as follows:
Smotrycz, Pack, Graham and Wells are at the forefront of senior leadership and production this season with help from Ram as a change of pace. The team as a whole is on a four-game winning streak after beating Wisconsin, and they’re on a mission to win-out over the remaining schedule.
Looking forward to the Michigan game tomorrow at noon, here are a few key players to watch out for:
1. Caris LeVert: The 6’7 junior guard is averaging 14.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists per game. He’s a great three-point shooter at 40 percent and a reasonable shooter from the field at 42 percent. Fortunately, the Terps won’t have to worry about him because he is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a fractured bone in his left foot. In his place, look for Spike Albrecht to produce. In his own right, over the last five games he has been in double figures with 16 points against Ohio State. He also has had good games from behind the three-point line in that stretch — between the 40-50 percent range.
2. Zak Irvin: He is another player who can shoot the three-ball. He averages 13.6 points per game and a 35 percent three-point shooter. He struggles at the free-throw line at 66 percent on the season, so the Terps could very well use that to their advantage and look to foul him.
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Keys to the Game:
1. Take advantage of Size Inside – The Terrapins did a great job of this against Wisconsin, using Michal Cekovsky to combat Frank Kaminsky and Wisconsin’s other big men. The Terps need to be able to shut down the paint and get defensive rebounds. You take away the inside game, that won’t leave a lot of options for the Wolverines.
2. Push the Ball In Transition – A strength for the Maryland Terrapins is the getting out in transition and scoring fast-break points. Especially with a player like Dez Wells and Melo Trimble pushing the ball. One is physical and the other uses finesse to score the ball in those situations. Moreover, running a fast-paced style of offense could tire out the Wolverines defensively.
3. Seniors Need to Get Going Early – I’m sure Coach Mark Turgeon is going to go with a fluid rotation to give each of the seniors some playing time in this game. Having all eight of them contribute would be great to see.
Score Prediction: 65-55, Maryland Wins