No.9 Maryland faces its toughest Big Ten showdown against No.6 Indiana

This week continues to move up the rankings to No.9 on the season so far with big success and continuing to silence their critics. Maryland and Indiana both teams having great success will have a showdown Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Maryland is looking for some payback the last three matchups Indiana has won three matchups in a row, and this Maryland team is looking to go for 7 wins in a row.

The Keys to Victory!

Indiana is arguably a tough defensive matchup

Head Coach Teri Moran has built something at Indiana, and their defense is going to be a challenge for our pace & space offense which is more pick & roll, taking good perimeter shots, and even creating fouls at the rim. Indiana holds opponents to under 60 points. The Perimeter offense is going to be key in this game, and something to look for to beat Indiana, especially since that has allowed only 3 opponents to score over 60 points.

Could or Couldn’t this be a trap game?

Maryland has lost the last three matchups against Indiana, especially that the atrocity in Big Ten Tournament, everyone has picked Indiana to be the favorite however, it is fair to point Indiana has needed to use the entire 60 minutes to win the game which could be a factor to watch in this game but they have not played a game since the Nebraska overtime win which gives them a rested squad.

The defense is going to set the tone

Indiana has size and length at every position which is a concern for the terps on defense after giving up 85 points to Michigan State, expect the defense to be better in the half & full press especially knowing your personal in situations where fatigue can set which we saw in the results of 17 point lead blew in the fourth quarter expect to see Coach Frese give more minutes to the freshmen in this game, and also expect certain assignments defensive for Terps to beat the Hoosiers.

Prediction (Upset)

Maryland: 79

Indiana: 74