Minnesota Looks to Build Momentum Against Struggling Maryland Squad
The Minnesota Golden Gophers finally snapped their losing streak, and now the question is: can they ride that wave into a strong finish to the Big Ten season? At 11-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play, there’s still work to be done, but Sunday’s matchup offers a real opportunity to stack another win. That’s because Maryland-sitting at 8-14 overall and just 1-10 in the Big Ten-is in the middle of a rough inaugural season under first-year head coach Buzz Williams.
Let’s be clear: this Maryland team is talented on paper. Williams brought over four players from his former Texas A&M squad, added two transfers from Kansas, and brought in a promising freshman.
But the pieces haven’t clicked. Chemistry issues, inconsistent execution, and a key injury have all contributed to a season that’s gone sideways.
One of the biggest setbacks for the Terrapins has been the loss of Pharrel Payne. The former Gopher big man hasn’t played since mid-December due to injury, and his absence has left a noticeable void in the paint. Without his presence inside, Maryland has struggled to protect the rim and rebound consistently-two areas Minnesota can absolutely exploit.
To make matters worse for Maryland, their Big Ten record tells the story: one win (against Penn State) and ten losses, all by double digits. That’s not just a bad stretch-that’s a trend. And it’s one the Gophers would love to see continue.
What Minnesota Needs to Do to Win
1. Play a Full 40 Minutes
This has been a recurring issue for Minnesota all season: strong first halves followed by second-half collapses-or vice versa. Against Michigan State, they gave up 52 points after halftime.
At Penn State, they shot just 22% from deep in the first half. At Wisconsin, it was another 50-point second half allowed.
The Gophers don’t need to be perfect, but they do need to be consistent. Two solid halves of basketball could be the difference between a tight finish and a comfortable win.
2. Attack the Paint and Get to the Line
Maryland has been foul-prone all season, and Minnesota excels at drawing contact and earning trips to the free throw line. That’s a matchup advantage the Gophers have to press.
Buzz Williams typically coaches physical, hard-nosed defensive teams, but this year’s group is giving opponents too many free points at the stripe. If Minnesota can stay aggressive, especially in the halfcourt, they’ll put pressure on Maryland’s defense and get themselves into the bonus early.
3. Knock Down Open Threes
Maryland’s perimeter defense has been a major weakness. In Big Ten play, opponents are shooting over 40% from beyond the arc against them-that’s near the bottom nationally.
Minnesota doesn’t need to turn into the Splash Brothers overnight, but if they can establish an inside-out rhythm-pound the paint, draw help, and kick out for open looks-they’ll have a chance to put up big numbers. The shots will be there.
It’s just a matter of converting.
The Bigger Picture
This is the kind of game Minnesota has to win if they want to climb back toward .500 in conference play and build some positive momentum heading into the final stretch. Maryland is reeling. The Terrapins have talent, but they haven’t found a way to play cohesive basketball-and their metrics back that up.
That said, this isn’t a game the Gophers can take lightly. Maryland still has capable scorers and enough size to cause problems if Minnesota comes out flat. But if the Gophers stick to their strengths-control the paint, stay aggressive, and hit open shots-they should be in a strong position to defend their home court and keep building toward a stronger finish.
The Barn will be ready. Now it’s on Minnesota to meet the moment.