12th-Ranked Terps and Minnesota in Big Ten Battle

The 12th-ranked Maryland Terrapins just pulled off a huge win against a Tom Izzo-coached Michigan State Spartan team. The Terps were able to take the Spartans to task and beat them 68-66 in double overtime in a game where Melo Trimble and Dez Wells were true to form. Trimble had a stat line of 17 points, three assists and three rebounds in addition to being a nearly perfect 12-for-14 at the free-throw line.

Wells also had a great game; he had 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. He also was the player who led the Terps into overtime, draining a three ball with 2.2 seconds remaining, tying the game at 48 a piece.

The Terps were able to handle business on the road in their inaugural Big Ten matchup, and now it’s time for them to do the same tomorrow in the Xfinity Center against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That game can be seen on the Big Ten Network.

With Dez Wells back in the starting lineup, the Terrapins have a complete team now. They were able to get by without him, displaying tremendous depth at the guard position. It just looks like this Mark Turgeon-coached team enjoys playing with one another because of the chemistry they have out on the floor.

You have to give a lot of credit to Melo Trimble, Jake Layman and Jared Nickens for filling in while Wells was out with his injury. They were able to contribute a great deal of production, leading to wins for the Terps. In their inaugural Big Ten home game, they’re going up against a formidable opponent in the 11-3 Minnesota Golden Gophers.

This is a team who is second in the nation in assists (19.9 assists per game), 14th in points per game (82 points per game) and second in steals (11.9 steals per game). They are a pretty dangerous team offensively and defensively.

The Golden Gophers are led by senior guard Andre Hollins (13.2 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 2.7 assists per game) and junior guard Carlos Morris who has 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

He also averages two steals per game. The Terps defensively will have to look out for these two and lock them down early. Offensively for the Terps, because they’re facing a top five team in steals, ball control is essential.

Terps Looking to Take Down Minnesota in Big Ten Home Opener

By Anthony Brown | Jan 2, 2015