Maryland men’s basketball faced a formidable challenge on the road against No. 12 Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers have been a tough nut to crack, with their only losses coming from top-10 teams like Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue. For most of the game, the Terps looked like they might just add their name to that list.
Despite a late-game stumble leading to a 74-61 defeat, Maryland’s early performance showed promising signs.
Maryland’s Transformation
A month ago, Maryland's trip to Michigan State was a rough outing. They were down 46-23 at halftime against the No. 10 team, with a nine-point deficit just five minutes in.
Fast forward to Wednesday, and the Terps were only down by six at halftime against Nebraska, not trailing by nine until late in the game. This improvement is a testament to the turnaround under head coach Buzz Williams.
Key players have stepped up. Andre Mills, who struggled against Michigan State, has found his rhythm, scoring 19 points against Nebraska.
His recent performances have been stellar, consistently hitting over 20 points in recent games. Williams has also made strategic lineup changes, bringing in Mills and Collin Metcalf as starters.
This shift has not only improved their individual performances but has also elevated the team’s overall play.
Solomon Washington and Elijah Saunders have found roles that suit them better, with Saunders hitting a career-high five 3-pointers against Nebraska. Defensively, Maryland showed more cohesion, holding Nebraska to below-average shooting from beyond the arc.
A bit of luck played a role, like Mills’ contested shot before halftime, but the game plan was solid. Maryland is starting to look like a team that can compete in the Big Ten, even if they’re still outmatched in talent.
The Coit Conundrum
However, Diggy Coit’s presence on the floor remains a challenge. The plus/minus stat tells the story: Coit’s -25 in 19 minutes was a stark contrast to the team’s overall performance.
When he was on the court, Maryland’s lead disappeared quickly. His shooting slump-hitting just two of his last 22 attempts from beyond the arc-has been costly.
Coit’s tendency to take shots at the expense of ball movement disrupts the team’s flow. While Maryland was sharing the ball effectively, with 15 assists on 21 makes, Coit’s solo efforts didn’t pay off. Defensively, his presence made it easier for Nebraska to exploit mismatches and score.
Maryland’s floor is notably higher without Coit on the court, as his struggles have become a stumbling block for the team.
Costly Errors
Fouls have been a part of Maryland’s defensive strategy, but Nebraska’s frequent trips to the free-throw line hurt the Terps. Metcalf’s foul trouble forced Williams to bench him, leading to Coit’s entry and a swift Nebraska lead.
Maryland has also struggled to capitalize on fouls drawn, with single-digit free throw makes in three of their last four games. Turnovers at critical moments further compounded their issues, with Nebraska converting these into quick points.
Despite these setbacks, Maryland’s execution has improved, especially in assists. They’ve shown they can grind out close games, but reducing turnovers and fouls is crucial to keeping them competitive.
Maryland’s journey is a work in progress, but the signs of growth are undeniable. If they can iron out these kinks, they might just be able to hang with the best in the Big Ten.