No. 24 Maryland gymnastics is set to return to the floor this Saturday for its third Big Ten showdown of the season, hosting Rutgers at the Xfinity Center. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
The Terps are riding high after a strong showing last weekend, improving to 5-1 on the year with a win over Illinois. That victory came with Maryland's second-highest team score of the season - a clear sign that the squad is finding its rhythm as the heart of conference play kicks in.
Leading the charge were Emily DeFrees, Aine Reade, and Logan Buckman, each delivering standout performances that helped lift Maryland past a tough Illini team. Whether it was DeFrees' consistency, Reade's flair, or Buckman’s execution under pressure, the Terps had the right mix of poise and power to get the job done.
Now, they turn their attention to a Rutgers team that’s had a tougher go in Big Ten action. The Scarlet Knights are 4-3 overall but still searching for their first conference win at 0-3.
In their most recent outing, Rutgers fell to No. 14 Penn State, 196.375-194.575 - a meet that showed flashes of potential but ultimately highlighted the gap they’ll need to close against top-tier opponents.
The last time these two programs met, it was a nail-biter. Maryland edged out Rutgers by the slimmest of margins, 194.625 to 194.475. That kind of razor-thin result adds a layer of intrigue to Saturday’s meet - both teams know how close things can get, and both will be looking to make a statement.
For Maryland, this is about building momentum and continuing to sharpen routines as the postseason creeps closer. For Rutgers, it's a chance to flip the script, grab a signature win, and finally break through in conference play.
Saturday night in College Park should be a good one.