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Maryland
Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s win over Penn State
![Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s win over Penn State Takeaways from Maryland men’s basketball’s win over Penn State](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1NFL0LwFdIaObTla01ibSnHW-fk=/0x401:5657x3363/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24425874/usa_today_19971741.jpg)
Maryland males’s basketball took care of enterprise on its house courtroom towards a determined Penn State squad. Regardless of a second-half push from the Nittany Lions, Maryland held robust, defeating them, 74-68.
Hakim Hart had a profession day and Jahmir Younger took over within the second half to propel the Terps to a win. Maryland moved to 8-6 within the convention with simply six video games to go.
Let’s get to some takeaways.
Maryland continues to feed off its house courtroom benefit.
Maryland is just about unstoppable at house. Maryland is undefeated in convention house video games, the one crew within the convention that has but to lose a convention recreation on its house ground. The Terps have additionally gained 10 straight Massive Ten house video games, their longest streak since they joined the convention.
Maryland introduced Saturday’s recreation was a sellout, the primary sellout since March 2020. The introduced attendance was 17,950, which led to an amazing Saturday afternoon environment on the XFINITY Middle.
“This constructing rocks, man. It’s actually, actually helped us,” Terps head coach Kevin Willard mentioned.
Maryland fed off of the group’s power all recreation, together with happening a string of runs within the second half that allowed it to drag away from a feisty Penn State crew.
“The followers are mainly our sixth man,” Hart mentioned.
Maryland has six video games left, three of that are at house. The toughest check Maryland has on its house ground is coming this Thursday when No. 1 Purdue is on the town. Maryland misplaced by three the primary time these groups met in West Lafayette. It’s certain to be an unbelievable atmosphere Thursday evening.
Maryland’s success depends on Jahmir Younger, however Hakim Hart led the way in which on Saturday.
The Terps will go the place Jahmir Younger takes them. If Younger is struggling, so is Maryland’s offense. Younger had simply 5 factors within the first half towards Penn State and continued to battle within the early minutes of the second half, resulting in a run from Penn State that led to the Nittany Lions capturing their first lead of the sport.
Nonetheless, it was Younger who was on the heart of a 9-0 run that propelled the Terps again in entrance. The correlation between Younger enjoying effectively and Maryland enjoying effectively is as clear as day. He’s Maryland’s engine and if he’s not operating, the Terps have a troublesome time transferring very far.
In a latest article in The Athletic, an nameless Massive Ten coach informed Seth Davis that “A nasty evening from him [Young] is tough to beat” for Maryland. That evaluation is spot on. Fortunately for Maryland, it wasn’t a foul recreation from Younger, only a unhealthy half. Younger carried the Terps within the second half to the tune of 13 factors. He completed with 18 for the sport.
Whereas Younger is the catalyst for the Maryland offense, he cannot carry the load himself. Hakim Hart had his greatest convention recreation this season towards Penn State. Hart dropped 23 factors — essentially the most he is scored in a Massive Ten recreation — on 8-for-10 capturing from the sector. Hart’s threes have been off in Massive Ten play this season, and though he made two on Saturday, he discovered methods to attain with out counting on the lengthy ball. Hart constantly backed down his defender and received to his spots, resulting in a plethora of factors within the paint.
Willard mentioned he felt that Younger was expending a ton of power on protection, so he needed to take the ball out of Younger’s palms and into Hart’s. Hart has performed level guard at occasions all through his school profession and has proved to be a strong facilitator. He completed with 5 rebounds and 4 assists to spherical out his profession day.
“This crew simply means rather a lot to me as a result of I have been right here for 4 years and I simply need to do nice issues and win championships,” Hart mentioned.
Maryland’s protection is its spine.
It’s no secret to anybody who’s watched Maryland in motion this season that the depth the Terps’ protection performs with is exceptional. The communication, quick rotations and difficult close-outs make it tough for any crew to attain on Maryland.
That was the case for a reeling Penn State group that was befuddled by Maryland’s energetic palms within the early going. Penn State scored simply six factors within the opening 12 minutes of the sport. Maryland received into its efficient full-court press to begin the sport and by no means relented, pressuring the Nittany Lions after made baskets.
Penn State dedicated 13 turnovers that led to 17 Maryland factors. Whereas Maryland struggled to attain itself for stretches of the primary half, its protection tempered Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are the most effective 3-point capturing crew within the Massive Ten and so they confirmed why Saturday. Penn State knocked down 12 threes on 46% capturing. Penn State’s sizzling capturing allowed it to stay round within the second half, however Maryland locked in defensively when it wanted too.
It wasn’t the cleanest defensive efficiency, however Willard mentioned the plan was to drive Penn State to shoot twos. Penn State shot 53 pictures, 26 of which had been threes.
Permitting 68 factors to Penn State just isn’t notably noteworthy for Maryland, but it surely’s the defensive stretches the place Maryland restricted the Nittany Lions that led it to victory. Maryland wins video games due to its protection and if the Terps are going to make a postseason run, the important thing would be the defensive facet of the ball.
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Maryland
Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland
![Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/137/01j714ppf1xrvce2agzn.jpg)
Game two is coming up for Michigan State football as the Spartans hit the road for an early season Big Ten matchup against Maryland. The Terps have had MSU’s number in recent years, but the Spartans’ new-look team is ready to change that narrative this weekend.
Jonathan Smith and his staff have a lot to work on this week after a lackluster 16-10 win over Florida Atlantic, but we’ve become more than used to slow starts for MSU in their first game so it’s not time to panic just yet.
While the team wraps up their preparations for Maryland, let’s take a quick look at the Terps and see what we can learn about them before the big game on Saturday.
Maryland is off and running in their 2024 campaign and had an absolutely dominant week one performance. The Terps took on UConn at home and came away with an impressive 50-7 win. Sure UConn is an awful football program, but we saw how poorly Michigan State just did against a similar opponent.
Not only was the final score lopsided, but ever major statistical category was as well. Maryland doubled UConn in first downs and rushing yards, threw for nearly 400 passing yards and even won the turnover battle 3-0. The Terps also only had five penalties for 45 yards which is significantly better than MSU’s 12 for 140 yards against FAU.
Sure all of this took place against UConn, but it appears that Maryland is in a very good spot heading into this big week two matchup.
One thing that I thought would be a positive for Michigan State in this game is that Maryland is breaking in a new quarterback as well. The Terps’ quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., went off against UConn and completed 20-of-27 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a capable runner and added 39 yards on the ground, so Michigan State will have its hands full on Saturday slowing him down.
The Terps don’t have one standout running back in the backfield, so that does benefit MSU. They do however have two solid backs in Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray who both ran for over 60 yards and one score each.
The one player however that Michigan State needs to pay the most attention to is wide receiver Tai Felton. He had one of the best Week 1 performances in the country as he recorded seven receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Thankfully MSU’s defense and secondary looked much improved against FAU, so hopefully that carries over into this weekend’s matchup.
The opportunity in front of MSU on Saturday is massive. The Spartans are big underdogs in this matchup which they probably deserve, but a win would do wonders not just for the overall perception of the team but for their confidence moving forward.
I’ve got a strange feeling that we’re going to be very happy around 7 p.m. ET Saturday night.
Maryland
Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some
![Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some](https://thebaltimorebanner.com/resizer/v2/VNZHS3ZRPZFIPLMIQSBCIVIK4M.jpg?auth=ff77372d15f6509b1a1f9c396b1babd2c44c98f67411941eae674ed3f248e4b4&width=657&smart=true&quality=85)
More than 700,000 Marylanders should be able to file their state and federal income tax returns online for free next year, saving residents hours of work and hundreds of dollars on tax software and prep services.
Maryland joined dozens of states Wednesday in a voluntary federal program called Direct File after a test run received positive reviews and showed possible cost savings. Filing paper returns by mail will still be an option.
“It’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said at a news conference in Annapolis.
The first-term Democrat called the program a game changer for Maryland taxpayers that will modernize her agency. It targets low-to-moderate earners with relatively simple tax returns, and is expected to expand over time.
Lierman’s office will partner with the nonprofit Code for America to integrate the Maryland tax filing system into Direct File. Eligibility requirements will be announced in January, the comptroller’s office said.
Gov. Wes Moore, State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo and nonprofit partners joined Lierman for the announcement.
Funds from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helped build and test the system. The IRS and Treasury Department then invited states to participate.
The IRS has been considering a free e-filing option for low-income American taxpayers for decades, according to the Congressional Research Service. When tax prep companies pushed back, the federal government agreed not to compete with them if they provided free help and e-filing to low-earning taxpayers.
However, many qualified taxpayers were pushed toward paid services, according to an investigation by nonprofit news outlet ProPublica.
The IRS piloted Direct File in 12 states this year. Filers used a laptop, tablet, cellphone or other device to submit income returns and request certain tax credits offered to low-earning individuals and families.
In a survey, nine out of 10 Direct File users ranked their experience as “Excellent” or “Above Average.”
U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 5th District, called paying taxes the “price of our democracy.”
“We ought to make it as easy as possible for people to comply with a legal obligation that they have to support their country, their state and their communities,” he said. “And this system of Direct File does that.”
Robin McKinney, CEO and co-founder of CASH Campaign of Maryland, said easy, free online filing makes the government work more efficiently for citizens and should deliver refunds and credits to taxpayers faster.
McKinney’s nonprofit promotes economic advancement for low- to moderate-income Marylanders and provides free tax help, among other services.
Economic Security Project, a nonprofit that advocates for guaranteed income and economic equity for working families, found that adopting Direct File could mean $355 million in costs and time saved for Maryland’s low- to moderate-earners.
Maryland recently has expanded tax credits for working families, but about $152 million goes unclaimed each year, according to the Security Project’s analysis.
They also estimated that about $148 million could be saved in filing fees and $56 million could be saved in time spent filing taxes.
That money could have gone into Marylanders’ pockets, CASH Campaign’s McKinney said, and it could have gone back into the state’s economy.
Maryland
Maryland joins IRS Direct File program, offering free tax filing for up to 700,000 taxpayers – Maryland Matters
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Some Maryland taxpayers will be able to use a free electronic filing tool for their federal taxes rather than having to pay a tax preparer or buy tax-filing software next year, when Maryland will offer the IRS’s new Direct File service.
The service was tested in 12 states this year, where 140,803 people filed with Direct File, saving an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) estimated Wednesday that as many as 700,000 Maryland taxpayers could be eligible for the program when it debuts in the state next year.
“While we value our relationship with tax preparers and CPAs (certified public accountants), it’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns,” Lierman said at a news conference announcing the program.
The IRS and the U.S. Treasury still have to finalize eligibility rules for the program this fall, but Lierman said it will be a “game changer” for those families who do qualify, which could be as much as 20% of individual taxpayers in the state.
“Taxes are a part of the glue that keeps our state and our nation together, functioning, producing, protecting and thriving,” Lierman said. “Yet in America, we make it uniquely challenging to pay those taxes and file a return — until now.”
According to the Treasury, taxpayers spend “approximately 13 hours and $270 preparing their taxes each year.” Many Americans use tax filing services or software, such as TurboTax and H&R Block, to ensure that their taxes are filed correctly, despite most of the information being readily available state and federal tax collection agencies.
It’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns.
– Comptroller Brooke Lierman
Direct File launched this year in 12 states for people to file their 2023 federal returns — Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the program is aimed at helping middle-income tax filers with “relatively simple” filings.
“What I can tell you is our goal for us is to build a system that’s going to work for working class and middle class Americans. So you get a W-2, and you’re somebody who’s a teacher, you’re a fireman, you’re a doctor who’s earning most of your money from a W-2, we want to make sure we’re building a system that potentially works for you,” said Adeyemo, who was in Annapolis for the announcement.
“The thing we’re not going to do is build a system that works for big corporations or wealthy individuals. Next year we’re going to expand the system so that more Americans are able to participate in it,” Adeyemo said.
The Biden administration invited all 50 states and the District of Columbia to join the program next year, when people will be filing their 2024 taxes. The Treasury said that Maryland joins Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Connecticut, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Maine in taking up Direct File.
“I know to some, this announcement may seem inconsequential — and I know how exciting tax announcements are,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) joked at the announcement. “But the details matter. They matter to the families who are impacted by this work. They’re going to matter to the families, who … dread tax season because it feels complicated. Who dread tax season because it seems expensive, or oftentimes have to deal with the consequences of getting something wrong.”
The Direct File program came out of the Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2022, which also secured additional funding to help the IRS modernize and provide better services to Americans.
But Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who chairs a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, said Direct File program and other services under the Inflation Reduction Act could be “under threat.” While his subcommittee wants to fully fund the IRS and keep Direct File going, House leaders want to cut funding for both.
He also said that the industry is lobbying against the free tax filing system.
“There are people who didn’t want us to do this, including a lot of the middlemen” who currently profit from tax preparation, Van Hollen said. “They’re lobbying against this kind of thing.”
In addition to Van Hollen, Moore, Lierman and Adeyemo, Wednesday’s event drew a number of Maryland Democratic heavyweights: U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer John Sarbanes and State Treasurer Dereck Davis.
Hoyer put it simply: “Nobody likes taxes.”
“We don’t really get excited about paying our taxes. But we know that it is the price of our democracy,” Hoyer said. “We ought to make it as easy as possible for people to comply with a legal obligation that they have to support their country, their state and their communities.”
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