Not long ago, the Maryland Terrapins had gone 0-2 on a disastrous road trip to the Pacific Northwest, falling to a Washington Huskies team that were heavy underdogs and losing another close game to the high-powered Oregon Ducks. However, since that ill-fated week in early January, the Terps have been on a roll and are looking like one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball. On Wednesday night, they knocked off the #17 Wisconsin Badgers 76-68.
The Maryland Terrapins Are Picking Up Steam At the Right Time
The Maryland Terrapins have now won 6 out of 7, including their last 4 in a row. Their lone blemish on an otherwise spotless mid- and late-January was an overtime loss to Northwestern. Maryland’s recent win streak includes multiple high-profile wins, including road games against then-#17 Illinois Fighting Illini and the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Illinois game may have been the team’s best performance of the year. It was a lopsided result, as the Terrapins won 91-70. Although they only managed 3 three-pointers, they shot 50% from the floor as a team, outrebounded an Illini team that is first in rebounding margin, and had 10 steals.
MARYLAND TAKES DOWN NO. 17 ILLINOIS 🐢
The Terps secure the upset in Champaign 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WldEDopQS7
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 24, 2025
On Wednesday night, Maryland was back for their first home game in over ten days. It was a welcome return to an energetic crowd that included celebrities like tennis star Francis Tiafoe, Sportscenter host Scott Van Pelt, and multiple notable football recruits. The Terrapins gave the home fans plenty to cheer about, with terrific shooting and strong defensive play that allowed them to pull away late in a back-and-forth contest.
Defense Fueled the Maryland Terrapins’ Upset of Wisconsin
The Terps faced an imposing Badgers front line, but they battled hard on both ends in order to secure the win. Despite being largely ineffective scoring the ball inside (only 20 points in the paint), their interior defense was enough to make up for their lackluster paint scoring.
Head coach Kevin Willard was complimentary of Wisconsin’s John Tonje, who led the way for the Badgers as per usual with 23 points. However, he noted that their defensive gameplan was to make life particularly difficult for Wisconsin’s other main scoring options, namely Max Klesmit and John Blackwell. They were limited to 4-14 and 15 combined points, far below their combined average of over 26 a game.
The Terps pull off a B1G upset win over No. 17 Wisconsin in front of their home crowd 🙌#B1GMBBall x @TerrapinHoops pic.twitter.com/1GPMu8nh7h
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) January 30, 2025
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Maryland Terrapins continued to show the grit and togetherness that has characterized their recent hot streak.
Maryland’s Julian Reese Won AP National Player of the Week
Hours before the game, forward Julian Reese was announced as AP media’s national player of the week. He has put up highly impressive performances in their recent wins, including a 27-point, 17-rebound performance against Illinois.
The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s college basketball for Week 12 of the season is Julian Reese. https://t.co/rt8m9VqttC pic.twitter.com/h1ekjURXED
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) January 29, 2025
After the prestigious honor, Reese was not going to allow himself to have a letdown performance. Reese had another big first half against Wisconsin, keeping the Terps in the game as leading scorers Derik Queen and Ja’Kobi Gillespie were struggling. The latter two finished just 7-27 from the field combined. Reese was an efficient 6-9 and had 14 points to go with 8 rebounds.
Reese’s recent successes have even caused his older sister, WNBA star Angel Reese, to give him his flowers on social media:
somebody hoopin rn @Reese10Julian
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) January 24, 2025
Although freshman phenom Derik Queen is the Terrapin currently gaining NBA Draft hype, forward Julian Reese may be playing his way into the conversation as well. The senior has been an athletic rebounder, energetic defender, and determined interior scorer, leading Maryland in rebounding and averaging almost a double-double per contest.
Reese carried most of the load in the first half, and Maryland eventually got hot from three in the second half. The team went 7-11 from beyond the arc in the second period. Guard Selton Miguel had a fantastic night from deep, going 4-5 from three-point land for 12 points.
Maryland now has an entire week off before resuming play against Ohio State. Sitting at 4th in the Big Ten, it is hard to deny Maryland’s resume. They appear to be a legitimate team to watch entering the postseason.
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