Rapid Recap: Maryland 75, No. 21 Northwestern 59

No. 21 Northwestern’s second half breakdown Thursday towards Illinois was a troublesome tablet to swallow for coach Chris Collins and his crew, particularly when the group was 0.5 video games again from clinching first place within the Massive Ten convention. 

Regardless of the urge of getting again into the win column, the Wildcats (20-9, 11-7 Massive Ten) skilled an identical destiny Sunday at School Park, Md. in a cataclysmic 75-59 loss to Maryland (20-9, 11-7 Massive Ten) . With NU incomes their second straight loss, it’s solely inevitable that the Cats’ historic late-season rating within the AP Prime 25 will quickly be no extra come Monday. 

NU must wait until Wednesday versus Penn State to succeed in one other milestone — essentially the most convention wins in a single season with 12. 

After an electrical first half, the place each groups racked up 80 factors, the Terrapins  stored up their lengthy, efficient strides within the second block of 20-minutes, whereas the Cats’ ran out of steam.

Listed below are a number of takeaways from the Sunday loss.

Takeaways:

1. Boo Buie goes chilly offensively but ties season-high in assists.  

Not solely was senior guard Boo Buie’s Thursday evening efficiency a one to recollect, it was like no different for a number of causes. Buie’s 35-point meal deal was a profession excessive, scoring extra factors within the first half than Illinois’ complete crew, however he additionally completed with zero assists — the primary time all season and practically a yr. Though each groups mixed for 13 dishes, one should marvel if the shortage of ball motion was a purpose for his or her win streak snapping.

Nonetheless, this wasn’t an issue Sunday for Buie, meting out assists left and proper all through the primary half, choosing up all seven of the Cats’ assists within the half. The senior shot solely 4 instances within the 20-minute span, not discovering the basket until practically the 2 and half minute mark had been left on the clock. But, the highest of the important thing three he netted gave NU a two-point lead on the time.

Buie’s belated Valentine’s Day present to his teammates of spreading the love was an important piece to the pie, however with a season-low of 4 factors, it wasn’t sufficient to hold the Wildcats to victory.

2. NU’s luck continues to be unfortunate, as Maryland shoots its season-best from discipline

Maryland’s Senior Day celebration proved to be game-changing for the Terrapins, having the new hand all around the ground all through the competition. Though NU stunted the second-best protection when it got here to opponent discipline purpose share, their calling card didn’t have a lot of an impact on the Terrapins, as they shot 53.8 p.c from the sphere and 63.6 p.c from behind the arc.

Certainly one of faculty’s bottom-30 groups in three level taking pictures getting into the competition, Maryland was lights out towards the Cats’ swarmful perimeter protection, largely on account of their variety of playmakers. 

The Terrapins completed with 5 gamers in double-digits, a tall process in any faculty basketball sport, whereas Audige and junior heart Matthew Nicholson had been the one ones for the Cats’.

Every time a crew shoots at this excessive of a clip, it is going to be tough for any crew to beat.  

3. Cats’ second half breakdown as soon as once more seals their destiny in loss.

Redshirt senior guard Chase Audige and Maryland guard Jahmir Younger had been cooking it up for his or her respective squads within the first half, combining for 30 factors within the first half. The 2 catalysts performed a significant position in each crew’s success within the Xfinity Middle, main the way in which in a forwards and backwards matchup.

Nonetheless, with each guards cooling down within the second bunch of 20 minutes to play, Younger’s supporting forged picked up the load and continued to attain at a excessive fee. NU, then again, had no participant rating over six factors within the second half.

After getting outscored 47-25 towards Illinois within the second half Thursday, the Cats’ didn’t do a lot better Sunday versus Maryland, getting outscored 34-20. A difficulty that’s starting to change into recurring, coach Collins and his squad must make some tweaks with submit season play simply across the nook.

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Associated Tales:

— Males’s Basketball: Boo Buie’s 35-point masterclass can’t face up to Illinois comeback, loses 66-62

— Males’s Basketball: Boo Buie’s 35-point profession evening not sufficient as No. 21 Northwestern’s five-game successful streak snaps with 66-62 loss to Illinois.

— Fast Recap: Illinois 66, No. 21 Northwestern 62