When Maryland opened its Massive Ten schedule in December, level guard Jahmir Younger hit a late three-pointer to clinch a win over Illinois, and Kevin Willard had his first victory over a ranked opponent because the Terrapins’ coach. Amid the celebration, Willard urged his gamers to thank the scholar part as a result of, for the primary time this season, Xfinity Heart rocked and the Terps delivered.
Maryland
Terps thump No. 21 Northwestern to finish unbeaten in Big Ten home games
Practically three months later, Maryland’s gamers headed to the identical railing that separates the court docket from the stands to indicate their gratitude one final time. The Terps had simply knocked off No. 21 Northwestern with a powerful second half, and their 75-59 victory of their residence finale Sunday afternoon accomplished an ideal Massive Ten marketing campaign on this constructing.
Maryland gained all 10 of its convention video games at Xfinity Heart, a run of dominance that has helped the Terps rise towards the highest of the Massive Ten and make up for his or her struggles on the highway. The win over Northwestern was the Terps’ fifth in opposition to a ranked convention foe at residence and added one other strong victory to their résumé. After the ultimate buzzer, a number of gamers lifted their arms to make a coronary heart with their fingers, and so they waded via a sea of high-five-seeking arms on their technique to the locker room.
“The fan base actually bought behind this group,” Willard stated. “I believe they appreciated how exhausting they labored, how exhausting they play.”
As Maryland (20-9, 11-7) pushed previous the Wildcats, Younger once more led the way in which, simply as he did in opposition to the Illini in December and as he has all through the season. He had 18 factors as all 5 starters completed in double figures on senior day.
“It’s a second that you just’re going to recollect for the remainder of your life,” stated Younger, one among 5 seniors honored earlier than the sport. “Simply attempting to deal with enterprise but additionally get pleasure from it and keep within the second.”
The Terps shot 53.8 % from the sector and hit a season-high 14 three-pointers on 22 makes an attempt (63.6 %). Sophomore ahead Julian Reese had 12 factors and 10 rebounds. Maryland’s offense seemed fluid because it dedicated simply seven turnovers, and Hakim Hart (10 factors) distributed a team-high seven assists.
Northwestern (20-9, 11-7) is on the cusp of its second NCAA match look in class historical past, and the Wildcats have gained 5 highway video games in convention play this season.
The groups turned in an offensive showcase within the first half, with each taking pictures at a excessive clip (61.5 % for Maryland, 59.3 % for Northwestern). They mixed for simply 4 turnovers and 11 fouls, and neither workforce led by greater than 5. Maryland made eight three-pointers. Northwestern standout guard Boo Buie had seven assists because the Terps struggled to comprise Chase Audige, who had 14 factors. Maryland’s Patrick Emilien dished an exquisite move to Younger, who leaped for a dunk. And Younger hit a contested three on the buzzer to elevate the Terps to a 41-39 edge at halftime.
When the groups returned, Maryland continued to surge, and the Wildcats couldn’t hold tempo. Willard stated his protection had a number of “psychological breakdowns” that led to Northwestern three-pointers within the first half, however after halftime the Terps bought extra stops. Within the second half, the Terps restricted Audige to 2 factors and Buie to at least one help. Northwestern’s supporting solid couldn’t provide sufficient manufacturing to counter Maryland’s sharp taking pictures.
“They outplayed us within the second half,” Northwestern Coach Chris Collins stated. “We couldn’t sustain with the scoring.”
Buie, the Wildcats’ main scorer this yr, completed with simply 4 factors on 1-for-9 taking pictures. He had averaged 24.8 factors in his earlier 5 outings as Northwestern emerged as a drive within the Massive Ten, however the Terps halted that excellent stretch.
Right here’s what else to find out about Maryland’s win:
Maryland entered taking pictures 31.3 % from three-point vary, the second-worst mark within the Massive Ten. However after the Terps made 7 of 13 makes an attempt from past the arc Wednesday in opposition to Minnesota’s struggling protection, they maintained that kind in opposition to the Wildcats, taking pictures a season-best 63.6 %.
4 Maryland gamers — Don Carey (4 for 7), Younger (4 for 7), Ian Martinez (3 for 3) and Hart (2 for 4) — made a number of photographs from past the arc, a promising signal because the postseason approaches.
Maryland is in sturdy place to say a top-four seed and a double bye within the Massive Ten match, which begins March 8 in Chicago. The Terps are in a four-way tie for second place with Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. Purdue (13-5) has saved its spot atop the league regardless of 4 losses in its previous six video games.
Maryland closes with two video games on the highway — at Ohio State on Wednesday and at Penn State on Sunday.
Maryland honored its 5 seniors earlier than tip-off. All of these gamers — Younger, Hart, Emilien, Carey and Donta Scott — have appreciable roles within the rotation. Scott and Hart joined this system out of highschool and had been a part of Maryland’s Massive Ten title-winning squad in 2020. Younger (Charlotte), Carey (Georgetown) and Emilien (St. Francis Brooklyn) arrived as transfers this offseason.
“I’m on this for the lengthy haul,” Willard stated. “And what these guys have accomplished — Hak, Donta and people three [transfers] — they’ve set the tone, and so they’ve set the tradition at a really, very excessive customary.”
Willard bought his 5 seniors on the ground collectively late within the recreation, then substituted all of them out with 1:18 remaining. The gang provided a standing ovation.
Because the NCAA granted additional eligibility to school athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic, senior day ceremonies don’t essentially come close to the tip of a participant’s profession. Of Maryland’s group, solely Carey and Emilien have exhausted their eligibility; they used their extra season to play at Maryland. Hart, Scott and Younger have eligibility that leaves the door open for an additional season in School Park.