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| Terps, Badgers ‘completely different’ entering Big Ten basketball rematch | Terps, Badgers ‘completely different’ entering Big Ten basketball rematch |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Maryland’s 63-60 win at Wisconsin five weeks ago counts as its most thrilling victory of the season, but it also might be the most infuriating for Terrapins Coach Mark Turgeon. He is still bothered that his team blew an eight-point lead in the final 90 seconds. He still cringes over sophomore guard Melo Trimble’s decision to pull up for a 25-footer in the final seconds of a tie game. | Maryland’s 63-60 win at Wisconsin five weeks ago counts as its most thrilling victory of the season, but it also might be the most infuriating for Terrapins Coach Mark Turgeon. He is still bothered that his team blew an eight-point lead in the final 90 seconds. He still cringes over sophomore guard Melo Trimble’s decision to pull up for a 25-footer in the final seconds of a tie game. |
| When he sat down earlier this week to watch and rewatch the game in preparation for Saturday’s rematch in College ParkTurgeon was reminded of just how relieved he was when Trimble’s jumper went in . | |
| “His shot allows us to learn a lot about ourselves,” Turgeon said, “with a victory.” | “His shot allows us to learn a lot about ourselves,” Turgeon said, “with a victory.” |
| [Turgeon fires back at criticism of Terps’ Under Armour basketballs] | [Turgeon fires back at criticism of Terps’ Under Armour basketballs] |
| Turgeon remembers walking out of Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 9 sensing that the Badgers just needed time to acclimate to interim coach Greg Gard, who took over after Bo Ryan retired in December. As Turgeon watched film this week, he arrived at the conclusion that “both teams are completely different.” Maryland sits in a three-way tie for first place with Indiana and Iowa in the Big Ten standings with six regular season games remaining, while Wisconsin, winner of six straight, might be the hottest team in the league. | Turgeon remembers walking out of Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 9 sensing that the Badgers just needed time to acclimate to interim coach Greg Gard, who took over after Bo Ryan retired in December. As Turgeon watched film this week, he arrived at the conclusion that “both teams are completely different.” Maryland sits in a three-way tie for first place with Indiana and Iowa in the Big Ten standings with six regular season games remaining, while Wisconsin, winner of six straight, might be the hottest team in the league. |
| Maryland (22-3, 10-2) , which climbed to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll released earlier this week after winning three games in seven days, will enter Saturday’s game as well rested as it has been in the six weeks since conference play began. It was especially soothing for Trimble, who had averaged 37.7 minutes in the six games before Tuesday night’s 93-62 win over Division II Bowie State. | Maryland (22-3, 10-2) , which climbed to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll released earlier this week after winning three games in seven days, will enter Saturday’s game as well rested as it has been in the six weeks since conference play began. It was especially soothing for Trimble, who had averaged 37.7 minutes in the six games before Tuesday night’s 93-62 win over Division II Bowie State. |
| [Why Maryland is ranked second but projects as a No. 3 seed] | [Why Maryland is ranked second but projects as a No. 3 seed] |
| He played just 17 minutes in that contest, the Terrapins’ only game in six days, part of Turgeon’s plan to keep his star fresh before the stretch run. Trimble has been receiving increased treatment on his hamstring since late December, he said, which has allowed him to thrive during Maryland’s grueling league schedule. Maryland didn’t enjoy its first Big Ten bye this week, instead wedging in the Bowie State game. It won’t have its second bye until later this month. | |
| “I don’t think I needed [the rest]. I think I was ready. I’ve been getting treatment over and over ever since Big Ten started, more treatment so I can be well prepared for each game,” Trimble said. “I think me just playing 17 minutes last game was good to just watch my teammates go out there and do things when I’m not on the court.” | “I don’t think I needed [the rest]. I think I was ready. I’ve been getting treatment over and over ever since Big Ten started, more treatment so I can be well prepared for each game,” Trimble said. “I think me just playing 17 minutes last game was good to just watch my teammates go out there and do things when I’m not on the court.” |
| [Trimble makes cut of 20 Wooden Award nominees] | [Trimble makes cut of 20 Wooden Award nominees] |
| Back-court depth remains one of the team’s foremost issues. Trimble and shooting guard Rasheed Sulaimon are two of the three Terrapins who average more than 30 minutes per game. Turgeon has used senior reserve Varun Ram to help spell both at point guard for stretches during Big Ten play, and he sometimes uses 6-foot-7 small forward Jared Nickens at shooting guard to help retain length on defense. Nickens has struggled in his role as a three-point specialist, however, making just 5 of 24 three-point attempts over the past seven games. | Back-court depth remains one of the team’s foremost issues. Trimble and shooting guard Rasheed Sulaimon are two of the three Terrapins who average more than 30 minutes per game. Turgeon has used senior reserve Varun Ram to help spell both at point guard for stretches during Big Ten play, and he sometimes uses 6-foot-7 small forward Jared Nickens at shooting guard to help retain length on defense. Nickens has struggled in his role as a three-point specialist, however, making just 5 of 24 three-point attempts over the past seven games. |
| It remains unclear whether Turgeon will extend his bench and increase minutes for junior Jaylen Brantley down the stretch. While Brantley has shown flashes on offense — he finished with 10 points and one assist against Bowie State to help boost his confidence — Ram gives the team a defensive spark. | It remains unclear whether Turgeon will extend his bench and increase minutes for junior Jaylen Brantley down the stretch. While Brantley has shown flashes on offense — he finished with 10 points and one assist against Bowie State to help boost his confidence — Ram gives the team a defensive spark. |
| [ACC sees no issue playing in Maryland’s backyard without Terps] | [ACC sees no issue playing in Maryland’s backyard without Terps] |
| Turgeon has made it clear that Trimble and Sulaimon can carry the load through the rest of February and March, lauding both for their play on the defensive end — Sulaimon is considered the team’s best shutdown option on the perimeter, while Trimble is one of the team’s most improved defenders. | Turgeon has made it clear that Trimble and Sulaimon can carry the load through the rest of February and March, lauding both for their play on the defensive end — Sulaimon is considered the team’s best shutdown option on the perimeter, while Trimble is one of the team’s most improved defenders. |
| They have helped Maryland transform into one of the Big Ten’s most productive defenses. Maryland is fourth in the league in field goal percentage defense (.398) and second in three-point field goal percentage defense (.297). | They have helped Maryland transform into one of the Big Ten’s most productive defenses. Maryland is fourth in the league in field goal percentage defense (.398) and second in three-point field goal percentage defense (.297). |
| Both Trimble and Sulaimon watched Indiana upset No. 4 Iowa on Thursday night, giving Maryland a share of first place in the Big Ten. | |
| “We understand the situation that we’re in right now, but at the same time, the season doesn’t end after last night’s game,” said Sulaimon, who has scored in double figures in four of his past five games. “We control our own destiny.” | |
| Maryland has won a school-record 27 consecutive home games, including all 15 Big Ten games since it joined the league last season. And while Wisconsin’s road résumé is less than stellar during Big Ten play — its only wins have come over lowly Illinois and Penn State — the Badgers have grown considerably since they last lost at Northwestern on Jan. 12. Since that point, Wisconsin (15-9, 7-4) has increased its scoring from 68.6 points per game to 73.2, its field goal percentage from .423 to .471 and its three-point field goal percentage from .335 to .421. | |
| “I think both teams have gotten a lot better since [the first meeting]. I know we have. I know they have,” Turgeon said. “It’s great to be home, great to be playing a hot team, one of the top teams in the country right now. It’s all good for us. It helps prepare us for what we want to do.” | “I think both teams have gotten a lot better since [the first meeting]. I know we have. I know they have,” Turgeon said. “It’s great to be home, great to be playing a hot team, one of the top teams in the country right now. It’s all good for us. It helps prepare us for what we want to do.” |