Michigan Men’s basketball team visits College Park Maryland today to take on the 21-8 Maryland Terrapins at 3.45. Maryland is coming off an embarrassing loss to Penn State in State College and is also looking for payback of Michigan’s beat down in Ann Arbor 65-52. Some things have changed since the February 16th game and some have stayed the same as the Terps are looking to stay in the number 4 position in the Big Ten conference with two games remaining. If Maryland can stay in this position they would not have to play until the quarterfinals where the Wolverines are in that position at this time.
Michigan’s goals are higher as the Wolverines are looking for the conference championship where they are tied with Michigan State however both one game behind Purdue. Will Charles Matthews play today or will the rest for the Saturday game against the Spartans this will be a game-time decision. If Matthews cannot go today Isiah Livers is plugged in and Michigan will use some of the freshman benches of David DeJulius and newfound big man Colin Castleton who came onto the scene against Nebraska.
Maryland forward Burno Fernando will look to pick up his game today along with Anthony Cowan the Terps leading scorer. So if Michigan can play a defensive game as they did in Ann Arbor it will work out well however Maryland plays much better at home than on the road as they have not lost in the conference this season. Key for Michigan is the defense of the Wolverines and Jon Teske’s play today in that Teske had the assignment of guarding Fernando and held him in check with limited four trouble. The defense pressured Maryland to turn the ball over 13 times in the first half in Ann Arbor and turnovers is still an issue for Maryland. Look for Teske and Castleton to get Fernando away from the basket with the three-point shot being the bait.
Also, look for the Wolverines to press Maryland like the first game and try to get an early lead to keep Maryland on their heels however the Terps do not turn the ball over as much at home as they do on the road. If Michigan can force Cowan to turn the ball over and limit his three-point game and the Wolverines can get some semblance of rebounding the Wolverines will be able to stay in the game and succeed. Everything is on the line for the Wolverines to win the league and for Maryland, its keep the fourth spot so stayed tuned to this potential battle. Michigan will look to gather their 26th win this season(25-4) and 15th win in conference(14-4).