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Maryland Basketball: Top 3 Threats to Terps Winning the Big Ten Conference

By Joe Serpico

Jan 23, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon reacts to a play during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon reacts to a play during the second half of a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery talks with forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) and guard Mike Gesell (10) and guard Anthony Clemmons (5) during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery talks with forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) and guard Mike Gesell (10) and guard Anthony Clemmons (5) during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa won 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa Hawkeyes

16-3 (7-0)

Many expected that the Hawkeyes would be a team on the rise this season, but few thought that they would be leading the way in the Big Ten as we head close to February. They are not just beating teams, but showing no mercy as their average conference win is by over 12 points per game. More impressively, they whacked the same Michigan State that just beat the Terps in both their matchups.

Iowa had four starters return from last season and that continuity has paid dividends thus far. They currently rank second in the conference in scoring, led by senior forward Jarrod Uthoff, who is averaging 20 points per game. They are great at distributing the basketball as they are 12th in the country in assists.

Both teams enter the contest with three losses on the season. The problem for Maryland is that two of those losses came in the conference which is keeping them out of the top spot. A win over Iowa puts the Terps within a half game of first place and back into position to make a run at the regular season championship. It is the only game of the season between the two schools so this game is a must-win for Maryland.

Next: Purdue University

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