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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 21, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vince Edwards (12) celebrates with center A.J. Hammons (20) after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Ohio State 75-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vince Edwards (12) celebrates with center A.J. Hammons (20) after the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Ohio State 75-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Purdue Boilermakers

17-4 (5-3)

The Boilermakers are a difficult team to figure out. They are just behind the Terps with three losses in the conference and with two matchups remaining between the schools, these games could be a huge deciding factor on who wins this conference.

Purdue is currently ranked No. 21 in the country and are led by senior center A.J. Hammons. He is averaging 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game and is a great interior defender. The seven-footer will be a problem for Damonte Dodd and Diamond Stone in the paint, and these are the type of games that Stone must assert himself on the offensive end. If the Terps can get Hammons into foul trouble, they’ve got a terrific shot at winning.

Isaac Haas and Caleb Swanigan are also good players for Matt Painter and with Hammons, they make up arguably the best frontcourt in the conference. This is a game where the bigs must step up and Melo Trimble has to attack the basket.

Next: Indiana University

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