What Alabama said about No. 8 Maryland ahead of NCAA Tournament 2nd round

A number of Alabama gamers caught the top of the Maryland-West Virginia recreation that opened Thursday’s slate of the NCAA Match in Birmingham. As they watched the Terrapins ice its ticket into the second spherical with late free throws, Crimson Tide freshman Brandon Miller observed “a whole lot of tendencies” in his quick viewing interval. He’ll have an opportunity to be taught extra over the subsequent 36 hours.

For the second time in three years, Alabama will play Maryland for a berth within the Candy 16.

“We have now an entire new group however I’m gonna ensure the fellows perceive that’s a very good staff, they play in a very good convention,” Jahvon Quinerly stated. “A few of these guys that we performed two years in the past are nonetheless over there and sort of beat them fairly unhealthy. So I’m fairly certain they acquired a chip on their shoulder coming into this one.”

About halfway by means of the primary half in that recreation, performed in 2021 at Indianapolis’ Bainbridge Fieldhouse, Alabama constructed a 10-point lead and didn’t look again, finally profitable 96-77. Quinerly scored 14 factors and totaled 11 assists in 29 minutes. Other than Darius Miles and some walk-ons, no present rotational participant from that staff continues to be with Alabama.

For the Terrapins, two starters from Thursday’s roster had been with this system when the staff’s final met, ahead Donta Scott and guard Hakim Coronary heart. The pair mixed for 26 factors and 11 throughout half-hour in opposition to the Mountaineers.

Maryland (22-12) is ranked twentieth in KenPom’s staff rankings and thirty first within the NCAA’s general seeding. The Terrapins had been eighth in scoring offense (70.3 factors per recreation) within the Large 10 and fourth in protection (63.2 factors allowed). It shot 51.1% from the sector in opposition to West Virginia, its greatest field-goal charge since smashing Northwestern on Feb. 26.

“Arduous taking part in staff,” Miller stated of Maryland. “Simply have to return out and provides essentially the most power that we have to get a win over a very good staff. We began watching down right here. Picked up a whole lot of tendencies from them. I feel we’re going to be ready for them on Saturday.”

The tipoff time shall be introduced later Thursday evening.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Observe him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or e-mail him at NAlvarez@al.com.