Maryland’s season came to a close with a tough loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 75-64, in the Big Ten Tournament's second round. Despite a strong start, the Terps couldn't hold their early lead, and Iowa took control in the second half.
This was the third meeting between the two teams this season. Iowa had previously secured a dominant win at home, while Maryland managed an upset in their own backyard in February. Coming into this game, Maryland was riding the momentum of a victory over Oregon, while Iowa was looking to bounce back after losing six of their last eight games.
The game began with both teams struggling to find their rhythm, each committing three turnovers before the first media timeout. However, Maryland found a spark with the introduction of Isaiah Watts and Darius Adams. Watts, in particular, caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting his first three attempts and propelling the Terps to a 15-0 run, establishing a 21-10 lead.
But just as quickly as Maryland surged ahead, Iowa clawed back. The Terps managed only five points in the final eight minutes of the first half, allowing Iowa to close the gap with a 15-5 run, thanks to their dominance in the paint. By halftime, Maryland's lead had shrunk to a narrow 26-25.
Maryland's reliance on the three-point shot proved to be a double-edged sword. While they started strong, their shooting went cold, and Iowa capitalized, outscoring them 18-6 in the paint during the first half.
In the second half, Iowa's efficiency was on full display. The Hawkeyes shot 16-for-26 from the field and 7-for-13 from three-point range.
Cooper Koch led the charge with a game-high 19 points, including five three-pointers. Bennett Stirtz, an NBA prospect, also made his presence felt, contributing 17 points, eight assists, and two steals.
Iowa's decisive 20-0 run midway through the second half turned the game on its head, giving them a commanding 17-point lead. Maryland struggled to regain their footing, hindered by turnovers-eight in each half-that Iowa converted into 13 points in the second half alone.
Maryland shifted their offensive strategy to focus on attacking the paint in the latter half, making three of their six three-point attempts. However, their efforts fell short, as they couldn't match Iowa's output.
Diggy Coit provided a spark in the second half, scoring 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting after being held scoreless in the first. Freshman guard Andre Mills had a tough outing, shooting just 1-of-13, despite entering the game with a streak of double-digit performances.
Darius Adams was a bright spot for the Terps, leading the team with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting. His recent performances have shown flashes of consistency, a promising sign for Maryland's future.
With this loss, seniors like Elijah Saunders, Collin Metcalf, Solomon Washington, and Coit likely played their final college games. Pharrel Payne, limited by injuries this season, may seek a medical redshirt.
As Maryland looks ahead to the offseason, the focus will be on rebuilding through the transfer portal. This season's 21 losses mark their most since the 1940-41 campaign, highlighting the need for a fresh start and new energy in the program.