As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to face the Maryland Terrapins in their Big Ten tournament opener, sitting comfortably at No. 25 in the NET Rankings, there's a buzz around their potential NCAA Tournament berth. Yet, a lingering question remains: Could an unexpected stumble against Maryland shake their confidence come Selection Sunday?
Historically, teams in Iowa's position have little to worry about. The NET Rankings, established in 2018-19, have only seen one team ranked as high as No. 29 miss out on a bid, and that was Indiana State in 2024 with just one Quad 1 win. Iowa, on the other hand, boasts four such victories.
The concern for the Hawkeyes isn't just about their wins; it's the recent losses that have fans on edge. Road defeats to Penn State and Maryland, both at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, have added some tension to their resume.
Iowa's head coach, Ben McCollum, emphasizes the need for his team to be at their best. "We don't have the talent that can show up at 97%," he remarked. "Our greatest talent is our ability to be ready, intense, and to impose our will."
The Hawkeyes will rely on Bennett Stirtz, the Big Ten's third-leading scorer, who averages 20.2 points per game. Maryland counters with Andre Mills, who's been on fire, averaging 18.7 points over the last 12 games. Stirtz knows the challenge ahead: "The guards at Maryland love to go downhill, so we're gonna have to be ready."
Maryland comes into this matchup with momentum, having secured a 70-60 victory over Oregon. David Coit led with 17 points, while Elijah Saunders was lethal from beyond the arc, scoring all 15 of his points from three-point range.
Maryland's coach, Buzz Williams, noted the team's recent performances, stating, "You could argue that the last two games have been our best." Their aggressive playstyle was evident as they outmuscled Oregon on the boards, 38-28.
The Terrapins face a quick turnaround, playing at 11 a.m. after a late game on Tuesday. Williams quipped, "Maybe the players do better with less coaching than more coaching," highlighting the unpredictable nature of tournament play.
As Iowa and Maryland gear up, fans can expect a battle of wills and strategy, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Big Ten tournament.